US 6,439,122 B1 · Separation system for missile payload fairings

Abstract

In detail, the system includes at least one first pulley mounted on the first structural member and at least one-second pulley mounted on the second structural member. A cable is attached by one end to the first structural member and wound about the first and second pulleys and is attached by its second end to the second structural member. Preferably there are two or more first and second pulleys with the cable alternately wound between said first and second pulleys with one end of cable attached to the first structural member and the opposite end attached to the second structural member. Thus the cable holds the first and second structural members together. A system to sever the cable is included, which upon actuation will sever the cable allowing the two structural members to separate.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A separation system comprising:

first and second structural members releasably secured together along mating edges thereof;
a separation assembly for releasably securing said first and second structural members together along the mating edges and comprising:
at least one first pulley mounted on said first structural member;
at least one second pulley mounted on said second structural member;
a cable alternately wound between said first and second pulleys and having a first end terminating at said first structural member and a second end terminating at said second structural member to secure said first structural member and said second structural member together along the mating edges thereof, and
means to sever said cable to sequentially separate said first structural member from said second structural member along the mating edges.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Separation system for missile payload fairings

Life of this patent

Separation system for missile payload fairings

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21