Connecting mechanism which can be rapidly unlocked and usable on space vehicles
AssigneeAerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
InventorMichel Pire
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In order to interconnect two subassemblies (12, 14), which must be rapidly disengaged, use is made of a mechanism having two rods (36, 44) arranged end to end and which are normally linked in rotation and translation by unlockable connecting means (56, 64). A first (36) of these rods is mounted in a cylinder (14) connected to a first subassembly and has an operating head (38) accessible from the outside of the cylinder. The second rod (44) has a thread (50) screwed onto the second subassembly (12). This arrangement makes it possible to easily fit the mechanism by actuating the operating head (38). A piston (20) mounted in the cylinder (14) controls the unlocking of the connecting means.
Claims10
A quick release mechanism for connecting two subassemblies, and capable of quickly releasing said subassemblies even when they are in tension, and comprising:
- first and second rod members arranged end to end and normally joined in rotation and translation by a disconnectable connecting means;
- said first rod rotatably mounted in a cylinder connected to said first subassembly, and having an operating head accessible from the outside of said cylinder;
- said second rod having a thread for engaging with a complementary thread on said second subassembly, and disconnectable connecting means normally joining said rods in rotation and translation such that the thread of said second rod may be screwed into the second subassembly by rotating the operating head of said first rod.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.