Toggle release

US4836081A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Thomas Graves · Los Altos, US
• Robert Yang · Greenwood Village, US
• Christopher W. Brown · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 11, 1988
• Grant date: Jun 6, 1989
• Expiry date: Feb 11, 2008

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/6455
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A pyrotechnic actuated structural release device 10 which is mechanically two fault tolerant for release. The device 10 comprises a fastener plate 11 and fastener body 12, each attachable to a different one of a pair of structures to be joined. The fastener plate 11 and body 12 are fastenable by a toggle 13 supported at one end on the fastener plate and mounted for universal pivotal movement thereon. At its other end which is received in a central opening in the fastener body 12 and adapted for limited pivotal movement therein the toggle 13 is restrained by three retractable latching pins 61 symmetrically disposed in equiangular spacing about the axis of the toggle 13 and positionable in latching engagement with an end fitting on the toggle. Each pin 61 is individually retractable by combustion of a pyrotechnic charge 77, the expanding gases of which are applied to a pressure receiving face 67 on the latch pin 61 to effect its retraction from the toggle. While retraction of all three pins 62 releases the toggle, the fastener is mechanically two fault tolerant since the failure of any single one or pair of the latch pins to retract results in an asymmetrical loading on the toggle an…