초록 ▼

A separating joint for use primarily in aerospace applications is provided having two operational components. The first component provides a very high force over a short stroke distance, using an explosively actuated expanding-tube, suitable for shearing connectors such as rivets. The second compone

A separating joint for use primarily in aerospace applications is provided having two operational components. The first component provides a very high force over a short stroke distance, using an explosively actuated expanding-tube, suitable for shearing connectors such as rivets. The second component provides a longer stroke, thrusting force to impart a separating velocity to the structures connected using this joint. The second component comprises a flexible bellows surrounding the expanding-tube. The bellows is inflated by gases that exit the expanding-tube, usually through vent holes in the tube wall. In operation, the detonation of an explosive cord in the tube causes the tube to expand and shear rivets or other connectors. The detonation gases then exit the tube to inflate the bellows, which further pushes the separated structures apart. This invention thus provides a high strength separable joint having relatively low weight and capable of providing a high thrusting force. This invention thus provides a high shear force capable separation joint which produces high separation thrusting, forces and is of relatively low weight.

대표청구항 ▼

A separation system, comprising: a linear piston; a linear cylinder, said linear cylinder being shaped such that insertion of the linear piston into the linear cylinder forms a linear chamber; a shearable connector that connects the linear piston and the linear cylinder; and a bellows-tube assembly

A separation system, comprising: a linear piston; a linear cylinder, said linear cylinder being shaped such that insertion of the linear piston into the linear cylinder forms a linear chamber; a shearable connector that connects the linear piston and the linear cylinder; and a bellows-tube assembly comprising: a tubular flexible bellows; a single attenuator tube having vents positioned within the tubular flexible bellows; an explosive core positioned inside the attenuator tube; and a shield to prevent hot gasses existing the vents from impinging directly upon the inflatable bellows, said shield detachably positioned on the single attenuator tube between the vents in the single attenuator tube and the inflatable bellows, wherein the shield is adapted to protect the bellows from detonation of the explosive core while being displaced from its position on the single attenuator tube by the flow of gasses out of the attenuator tube following the detonation of the explosive core.