US 5,969,287 AGranted

Separation system

AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation

InventorsJim W. Blain, Robert Arthur Nelson, Duane D. Grosskrueger, John J. Smith, Michael D. Krohn

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Abstract

A separation system for separating a first section from a second section is disclosed. In one embodiment, the separation system includes first and second doublers for initially interconnecting the first and second sections, an expandable explosive system contained in a cavity defined by the first and second doublers and first and second sections, first and second grooves positioned on the first and second doublers, the first and second doublers severable along break planes defined by the first and second grooves, and bend augmenters associated with at least one of the first and second doublers to facilitate hinging of the doubler upon firing of the explosive, which thereby reduces separation shock.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A system for separating first and second sections, comprising:

first and second structural members interconnectable to at least the first and second sections, respectively, said first structural member being displaceable from and interconnectable to said second structural member;
first and second notches positionable in said first and second structural members, respectively, said first and second notches defining first and second break planes through said first and second structural members, respectively, wherein said first notch is vertically displaced relative to said second notch;
an explosive assembly, positionable between said first and second structural members, for breaking said first and second structural members at said first and second notches, respectively, wherein said first notch on said first structural member is positionable along a first tangential plane defined by a first end portion of said explosive assembly and said second notch on said second structural member is positionable proximate a center portion of said explosive assembly;
and
means, on at least one of said first and second structural members and vertically displaced from at least one of said first and second notches, respectively, for augmenting bending of said at least one of said first and second structural members upon firing of said explosive assembly, wherein said means for augmenting bending is positionable on said second structural member and comprises first and second bend augmentation portions, wherein said second notch is interposable therebetween.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.