Abstract: A protective door assembly is disclosed which will cover missile altitude control system engines during storage and launch while still being easily jettisoned when the ACS engine is fired. The titanium door attaches to the missile skin by a hook on it's lower edge and by a tapered boss which attaches to the skin and fits into a tapered hole near the door upper edge. Behind the door, the ACS engine nozzle is surrounded by a seal housing which prevents engine gases from escaping into the body of the missile and causing a pressure buildup when the engine is fired. At pressures between 35 and 60 psi, the door retainer screw fails in tension and the door is blown off.

Abstract: A field separable ordnance stepover bracket connects abutting ordnance transfer fuse cables across the interstage junction of a multistage missile system using a plug and a receptacle. The plug receives a first set of ordnance transfer cables that terminate in percussion devices; and fits with the receptacle which receives a second set of similar ordnance transfer fuse cables. For maintenance, the plug is simply unplugged from the receptacle to allow access to the interior of the missile when the interstage junction is opened. For flight interstage separation, the fast burning ordnance transfer fuse cables ignite the percussion charges which are fixed in proximity to a linear shaped charge that circumscribes a flight separation junction. The percussion charges ignite the linear shaped charge which detonates to separate the stages of the missile.

Abstract: A rotary coupling for connecting a driven part to a source of rotary force transmits rotary force in one direction only and disengages to permit the driven part to free wheel when the input member is stopped and precludes the backdriving of rotary force from output member to input member. The coupling includes an input member having a splined shaft, a coupling member connected to the splined shaft, and a co-axial output member. The coupling member and the output member having complementary sets of axially facing clutch teeth. Guides in the form of helical grooves on the coupling member and spring loaded followers acting with the guides affect the engagement and disengagement of the clutch teeth by moving the coupling member toward and away from output member, the followers and guides themselves disengaging to permit free wheeling of output member when input member is stopped.