Abstract: A releasable clampband apparatus and an associated method gently alter clampband tension, such that clampband tension may be reduced after the need for high clampband tension is no longer present, but before clampband separation. Thus, equipment or electronics contained in elements joined by the clampband are protected from excessive shock upon clampband separation. The releaseable clampband apparatus includes a discontinuous clampband having at least one opening. A connector is fixed to one side of the clampband opening and extends across the opening. A housing is fixed to the other side of the clampband opening and has a cavity surrounding at least a portion of the connector. A moveable positioning assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing cavity and is connected to the connector such that movement of the assembly with respect to the housing alters the clampband tension by varying the size of the opening.

Abstract: A vibration isolator is provided that includes a plurality of elastomeric members. The vibration isolator includes a first support, a second support and at least one third support. The second support is spaced from the first support such that the first and second supports define at least one recess. The at least one third support is spaced from the first support such that the third support and the first support define at least one recess. The recesses between the first and second supports and the first and third supports are structured to at least partially receive at least one of the elastomeric members. The vibration isolator includes at least one fastener that is structured to mount the corresponding elastomeric members between the first and third supports and between the first and second supports such that elastomeric members damp vibration transmitted between the first and second supports.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a releasable clampband apparatus and an associated method for altering the tension in a clampband. The apparatus and method of the present invention provide a low cost and effective technique to gently alter clamband tension, such that clampband tension may be reduced after the need for high clampband tension is no longer present, but before clampband separation. Thus, the present invention protects sensitive and/or expensive equipment or electronics contained in the elements joined by the clampband from excessive shock upon clampband separation, which could cause damage to the equipment or electronics and result in the loss of a costly satellite.

Abstract: A vibration isolator is provided that includes a plurality of elastomeric members. The vibration isolator includes a first support, a second support and at least one third support. The second support is spaced from the first support such that the first and second supports define at least one recess. The at least one third support is spaced from the first support such that the third support and the first support define at least one recess. The recesses between the first and second supports and the first and third supports are structured to at least partially receive at least one of the elastomeric members. The vibration isolator includes at least one fastener that is structured to mount the corresponding elastomeric members between the first and third supports and between the first and second supports such that elastomeric members damp vibration transmitted between the first and second supports.

Abstract: A NASTRAN-programmed computer calculates force and moment data for a structure including joints of interest. The NASTRAN data is read by a computer programmed with the invented program. For each joint, the user selects the members which contribute forces to the joint, and also selects the nearest grid point. A computer programmed with the invented program calculates the resultant force and moment at the proximate grid point. The force and moment are originally defined in a global coordinate system, subsequently transformed into a local coordinate system, and then translated to the centroid of the joint's fastener pattern. Axial and shear forces for each fastener are calculated for the nominal case wherein all of the fasteners are operative. Furthermore, each fastener, in turn, is assumed not to transmit axial force and the resulting fail-safe axial forces respectively acting on the remaining operative fasteners are calculated.