Reusable, separable, structural connector assembly
AssigneePlanetary Systems Corporation
InventorWalter Holemans
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An easy to use, and reuse, separation connector is disclosed that comprises a first component having a plurality of leaf elements with protrusions, and a second component having a recess for receiving the leaf element protrusions. The protrusions of the leaf elements are secured within the recess by a tensioned band; the protrusions and recess are formed so as to provide an efficient and effective load and torque bearing surface that requires minimal tension on the tensioned band. In a preferred embodiment, the tensioned band is detensioned by a thermal device that melts the band. When the band is melted, springs or other devices urge the leaves away from the mating surface, thereby allowing for the separation of the connected items.
Claims37
A separation connector assembly comprising:
- a first connector device comprising:
- a plurality of leaf elements, each leaf element of the plurality of leaf elements having a leaf lip that includes a first mating surface,
- a second connector device comprising:
- a receiving surface having a second mating surface substantially corresponding to an inverse of the first mating surface for receiving each leaf lip of the plurality of leaf elements,
- a band that is configured to form a perimeter about the plurality of leaf elements, and,
- a tensioning device that is configured to urge each leaf lip into the receiving surface, via a tensioning of the band, thereby facilitating a coupling of the first connector device to the second connector device.
A vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of leaf elements, each leaf element of the plurality of leaf elements having a leaf lip that includes a mating surface that substantially corresponds to an inverse of a receiving surface on an other vehicle,
- a band that is configured to urge each leaf lip of the plurality of leaf elements into the receiving surface, via a tensioning of the band, thereby fixedly adhering the vehicle to the other vehicle.
A vehicle comprising:
- a receiving surface for receiving each leaf lip of a plurality of leaf elements on an other vehicle, and
- decoupling elements that are configured to urge each leaf lip away from the receiving surface, thereby facilitating a decoupling of the vehicle from the other vehicle,
- characterized in that
- the decoupling elements include at least one of:
- a spring, a plunger, a piston, and a percussion device.
A satellite system comprising:
- a first vehicle,
- a second vehicle,
- a means for coupling the first vehicle to the second vehicle, and
- a means for decoupling the first vehicle from the second vehicle;
- wherein:
- the first vehicle comprises a plurality of leaf elements,
- each leaf element of the plurality of leaf elements having a leaf lip that includes a mating surface that substantially corresponds to an inverse of a receiving surface on the second vehicle,
- the means for coupling includes:
- a band that is configured to urge each leaf lip of the plurality of leaf elements into the receiving surface, via a tensioning of the band, and
- the means for decoupling includes decoupling elements that are configured to urge each leaf lip away from the receiving surface.
A method of attaching a first vehicle to a second vehicle, the first vehicle comprising a plurality of leaf elements, each leaf element of the plurality of leaf elements having a leaf lip that includes a mating surface that substantially corresponds to an inverse of a receiving surface on the second vehicle, the leaf lips of the plurality of leaf elements forming a first lip perimeter that substantially corresponds to an inclined receiving perimeter about the receiving surface on the second vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning the first vehicle and the second vehicle so as to align the first lip perimeter with the inclined receiving perimeter,
- urging the first vehicle and the second vehicle together so as to deform the plurality of leaf elements via the inclined receiving perimeter to form a second lip perimeter that is larger than the first lip perimeter, and
- urging each of the leaf lips into the receiving surface via a tensioning of a band about a perimeter formed by the plurality of leaf elements, thereby substantially reforming the first lip perimeter.
A method of detaching a first vehicle from a second vehicle, the first vehicle comprising a plurality of leaf elements, each leaf element of the plurality of leaf elements having a leaf lip that is mated to a receiving surface on the second vehicle via a tensioned band about a perimeter formed by the plurality of leaf elements, the method comprising the steps of:
- detensioning the tensioned band,
- urging each leaf lip of the plurality of leaf elements away from the receiving surface on the second vehicle, and
- urging the first vehicle and the second vehicle apart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.