Separation fastener with segmented washer
AssigneeAutoliv ASP, Inc.
InventorsBradley W. Smith, Michael P. Jordan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A separation fastener assembly including a base and a housing positioned adjacent the base. A nut is disposed in the cavity. A bolt extends through an aperture in the base and including an end coupled to the nut. A washer is positioned proximate the nut and operative to retain the nut within the housing. The washer includes a plurality of segments. An actuator is carried by the housing and is in communication with the cavity. The actuator is operative to displace the housing relative to the washer from a first position radially retaining plurality of segments of the washer and retaining the nut in the cavity to a second position permitting radial expansion of the plurality of segments and permitting withdrawal of the nut from the housing.
Claims19
A separation fastener assembly comprising:
- a base;
- a housing positioned adjacent the base, the housing defining a cavity;
- a nut disposed in the cavity;
- a bolt extending through an aperture in the base and including an end coupled to the nut;
- a washer positioned proximate the nut and operative to retain the nut within the housing, the washer including a plurality of segments;
- a retention member circumferentially surrounding the washer;
- and
- an actuator carried by the housing and in communication with the cavity, the actuator operative to displace the retention member from a first position radially retaining the plurality of segments of the washer and retaining the nut in the cavity to a second position permitting radial expansion of the plurality of segments and permitting withdrawal of the nut from the housing.
A separation fastener assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity;
- a nut disposed in the housing;
- a bolt including an end coupled to the nut;
- a washer position proximate the nut and operative to retain the nut within the housing;
- and
- a movable element movable from a first position in which the washer is restrained from radial expansion to a second position in which the washer is permitted to radially expand.
A separation fastener assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity;
- a nut disposed in the cavity;
- a bolt having an end extending into the cavity and coupled to the nut;
- a washer positioned proximate the nut and operative to retain the nut within the housing, the washer being frangible into a plurality of discrete segments;
- a retainer for retaining the discrete segments of the washer from radial displacement;
- and
- a pyrotechnic charge carried by the housing and operative to pressurize a portion of the cavity in response to a signal and remove the restraint of the retainer from the washer to permit radial displacement of the discrete segments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.