Abstract: A release apparatus includes a coiled restraining wire with each end attached to a corresponding fuse wire. The fuse wires are supplied with respective actuation electric currents by respective independent current sources. Flow of actuation current through a fuse wire causes that fuse wire to break; breakage of either one or both fuse wires allows the restraining wire to partially uncoil and allow the release apparatus to transition from a retained condition to a released condition, by allowing disengagement of retention members from a release member that can then move out of the release apparatus. The release apparatus can be employed to attach a deployable component to a satellite or spacecraft, and can be readily repaired, refurbished or reset for repetitive ground testing.

Abstract: A release apparatus includes a coiled restraining wire with at least one end attached to a fuse wire. Actuation current through the fuse wire causes it to break; breakage of the fuse wire allows the restraining wire to partially uncoil and allow the release apparatus to transition from a retained condition to a released condition, by allowing disengagement a sleeve from retention members and disengagement of retention members from a release member that can then move out of the release apparatus. The sleeve isolates the restraining wire and fuse wire from load forces on the release member. Rolling bearings within the sleeve against the retention members reduces resistance to disengagement of the sleeve. The release apparatus can be employed to attach a deployable component to a satellite or spacecraft, and can be readily repaired, refurbished or reset for repetitive ground testing.

Abstract: A hold-down release apparatus includes a housing, a reciprocating retention member, a release member, bias member(s), and a fuse wire. The retention member moves between retention and release positions and is biased toward the release position. With the retention member in the release position, the release member can move out of the housing; with the retention member in the retention position, the retention member obstructs the release member from moving out of the housing. The fuse wire obstructs movement of the retention member to the release position and holds the retention member in the retention position against the bias force. With an actuation current flowing through the fuse wire, the bias force breaks the fuse wire, allowing the retention member to move to the release position in response to the bias force, and the release member to move out of the housing.

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 accuator 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: A housing has a passageway containing a valve seat. A valve element seals against the valve seat to maintain the valve in the closed position. A release rod extends from the valve body and a shell surrounds the release rod, preventing its movement. The shell is formed in several sections, maintained together by a wire. The wire is connected to a frangible initiator which, upon failure, releases the wire from the shell, allowing these sections to move away from one another. When this occurs, the release rod and valve body are able to move, opening the valve, allowing fluid flow between the inlet and outlet of the valve.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly (34) includes a radial groove (58) supported by a housing (46) which houses a plurality of electrical sockets (50). A radial abutment (60) is positioned on the housing adjacent the radial groove. A plug assembly (32) includes cantilever fingers (88) terminating in radially inwardly and outwardly directed protuberances (90,92). The inwardly directed protuberances are disposed to engage the radial groove. A locking sleeve (78) has a radially inward directed annular groove (112) and a surface (110) adjacent to groove (112). The sleeve groove is alignable with outwardly directed protuberances (92) to permit radial deflection of the cantilevered fingers and movement of inwardly directed protuberances (90) over the abutment and into groove (58). The sleeve is movable to position its surface (110) over outwardly directed protuberances (92) to lock inwardly directed protuberances (90) in groove (58).

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: 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 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 receptacle assembly (34) includes a radial groove (58) supported by a housing (46) which houses a plurality of electrical sockets (50). A radial abutment (60) is positioned on the housing adjacent the radial groove. A plug assembly (32) includes cantilevered fingers (88) terminating in radially inwardly and outwardly directed protuberances (90, 92). The inwardly directed protuberances are disposed to engage the radial groove. A locking sleeve (78) has a radially inwardly directed annular groove (112) and a surface (110) adjacent to groove (112). The sleeve groove is alignable with outwardly directed protuberances (92) to permit radial deflection of the cantilevered fingers and movement of inwardly directed protuberances (90) over the abutment and into groove (58). The sleeve is movable to position its surface (110) over outwardly directed protuberances (92) to lock inwardly directed protuberances (90) in groove (58).

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.