Abstract: The present invention is a cell bypass switch particularly designed for aerospace applications. The cell bypass switch can sense a battery cell failure and automatically opens an alternate path around the failed cell, bypassing the failure and allowing the remainder of the battery system to continue its function. The cell bypass switch is designed to be placed in parallel with the battery cell it protects. The present invention includes two electro-mechanical actuator assemblies which are mounted on the top end of the housing for operating two plungers respectively. Each of the electro-mechanical actuator assembly includes two spool halves which are held together by a tight winding of a restraining wire that terminates in a bridge wire connecting two electrical terminals of the electro-mechanical actuator. Each spool, by virtue of the restraining wire winding, can restrain a spring loaded plunger.

Abstract: The present invention is a connector assembly mounted between two panels which are movable relative to each other. It includes a connector plug having a plug shell with an exterior flange, and a connector receptacle shell engageable with the plug shell and having an exterior receptacle flange. The receptacle flange has a multiplicity of openings each having an interior conical surface and an interior cylindrical surface. A multiplicity of self-alignment mounting assemblies is provided for mounting the receptacle flange to one panel. Each self-alignment mounting assembly includes an eyelet placed through the flange opening and mounted to the panel. The eyelet has an exterior conical surface engageable with the interior conical surface of each flange opening, and an exterior cylindrical surface with a reduced dimension for maintaining a clearance between the exterior cylindrical surface of the eyelet and the interior cylindrical surface of the flange opening.

Abstract: The present invention is an electromechanical high load separation apparatus with a smooth release which can be utilized in various applications such as a structural separation mechanism for a nut/bolt, a cable release mechanism, or a replacement of cable cutters.

Abstract: An end portion of a multiconductor cable (16, 18) is formed about an edge portion (28) of a sheetlike core (27) with portions of bared cable conductors (26) facing outwardly. The other cable (20, 22) is similarly arranged about an edge of a core (34). On the connector parts- (12, 14) being mated the bared cable conductors of cable (16, 18) are brought into contact with the bared conductors of cable (20, 22).

Abstract: The present invention is a non-explosive separation nut for fastening and releasing a threaded bolt under remote control signals. A preferred embodiment of the separation nut includes a housing, a segmented nut, a locking sleeve, a rocker and two non-explosive actuator (NEA) assemblies. The segmented nut can split radially into three or more segments and has an exterior surface with raised ridges and alternate recessed grooves. The locking sleeve is biased by a spring and placed over the segmented nut. It has an interior surface with retaining pins which are engageable with the exterior surface of the segmented nut. The locking sleeve is engaged with the two NEA assemblies through a tiltable rocker. When neither NEA assemblies is actuated, the retaining pins of the locking sleeve are engaged with the ridges of the segmented nut, so that the segments of the segmented nut are compressed radially inwardly for fastening the threaded bolt.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) has first and second separable contacting electrodes (12, 14) which do not generate an arc on making or breaking. A member (44) interrelates one of the electrodes (14) via a spring-loaded drive cap (24) at ground potential, which member 44 is constructed of a material a wide range of electrical resistance (e.g., insulator to substantial short) inversely response to the magnitude of electric field across the member. On electrode preparation, the drive cap (24) establishes a relative movement of the member (44) with respect to the electrode (14) reducing the member material thickness to such a point that the electric field across the intervening member material reduces the electrical resistance to a desired low level (e.g., short to ground).

Abstract: An hermetic optical fiber feedthrough arrangement has a separable two-piece metal ferrule (10) with opposite endwall openings (18, 26) of a size slightly larger than the diameter of an optical fiber (12) which extends therethrough. Preliminarily, that part of the fiber within the ferrule cavity (16) and openings (18, 16) has a metal coating (30). The fiber is hermetically sealed within the ferrule pieces (14, 24) by a quantity of a sealant (32). The ferrule may also include an outer radial flange (22) which is hermetically secured within an opening (48) in wall, bulkhead or plate (44) by a further sealant (54).

Abstract: A terminus for an optical fiber cable (10) has a ferrule (22) with an endwall portion (24) including an axial opening (26) for receiving a glass fiber core. A ferrule central portion (28) is larger in cross-section than endwall portion (24) and the opposite end portion (32) is still larger. In assembly, the fiber jacket (16) or strain relief is peeled back over an underlying sleeve (34) and crimped within the opposite end portion (32). The central ferrule portion (28) has an internal sleeve (40) fitted over a section of the optical fiber with buffer tubing (14) and the ferrule is crimped in place. The fiber outer end portion consists of just the bare glass core (12) received within endwall opening (26).