Abstract: The restraining strap has a rectangular cross section with a broad side against cylindrical sections holding a release member. The moment of inertia for a rectangular cross section strap is represented by the formula I=BH3/12. The lower moment of inertia reduces the load on the fusible link. With no limit to the number of wraps around the cylindrical sections, higher preloads can be accommodated by increasing the number of wraps of the restraining strap without affecting the moment of inertia or the amount of force borne by the fusible link. The actuator has a catch extending between the restrainer and actuator. The catch ends engage the restrainer and actuator and, upon release from the actuator, the catch rotates to allow the restrainer to unwind from about the cylindrical sections.

Abstract: Two fuse wires (42a, 42b) hold an insulator hub (34) in place which, in turn, retains a hook-shaped release end (32) of a restraining wire (28). The insulator hub is provided with two grooves (36a, 36b), one for fuse wire (42a) and one for fuse wire (42b), and with a center hole (38) midway between the grooves. A lanyard (35) is terminated at its ends by a pair of loops (35a, 35b). Loop (35b) is secured through center hole (38) in the insulator hub. The fuse wires are connected to two power supplies (48, 52) which are employed as a redundant power supply or fusible link decoupling device (50). Restraining wire (28) is wrapped around and holds together a pair of spool halves (16, 18) of a frangible actuator (12). A release pin (76) has a head portion (86), which is captured between the spool halves, and a shaft portion (86). A load, as represented by an arrow-headed line (88), exerts a force upon the release pin tending to move it away from frangible actuator (12).

Abstract: A device for restraining and then quickly releasing objects, comprising two half-spools that are held in place by a coil spring. The spring is attached at one end to one of the spools and at another end is held in place by a frangible wire, which is in turn connected to redundant power supplies. Insulation is provided by coating a base portion with aluminum oxide and attaching an insulator hub to the end of the spring held by the frangible wire. Cut-outs within the coils are provided to maximize separation force.

Abstract: A quickly separable and disconnectable electrical connector device (10) comprises a pin section (14) having a socket receptacle (40) and a socket section (16). A mounting flange (18) is mounted about the socket receptacle and is coupled to a supporting structure (26) on the socket section. A force member configured as a ring (32) surrounds the pin engageable end of socket receptacle (40) and is adapted to abut the pin section. An adjustable spring (28) on the socket receptacle urges force member (32) against pin section (14), and is located adjacent to one side of flange (18) for reducing the force required to separate the pin and socket sections from one another and thereby for aiding separation therebetween.

Abstract: A device for retaining an object and then releasing that object upon actuation, the device utilizing an actuator that resists less force than that exerted by said object, and is adapted for use with a V-band clamp.

Abstract: A frangible actuator and switch isolates a defective cell in a battery by switching an electrical circuit when the current through a fusible link exceeds a predetermined value. The high impedance of the defective cell causes most of the battery's current to flow through the fusible link. The actuator releases a spring-loaded plunger when the high current causes tensile failure of a fusible link. Electrical contacts coupled to the pre-loaded plunger are displaced by a predetermined distance, causing the contacts to move into or out of contact with electrical terminals. The actuator includes two mating parts held together by a restrainig wire, which is in turn held in place by the fusible link. When the fuse melts, fails in tension or otherwise triggers due to excessive current, the restraining wire loosens and allows the two actuator parts to separate. This separation in turn permits the spring loaded plunger to advance, triggering the switching action.