Apparatus for coupling cylindrical structural components to each other

US5411349A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ERNO Raumfahrttechnik GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Ernst Hornung · Stuhr, DE
• Huba Oery · Aachen, DE
• Stefan Hornung · Echterdingen, DE
• Andreas Rittweger · Achim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 30, 1993
• Grant date: May 2, 1995
• Expiry date: Jun 30, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T292/212
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Cylindrical bodies of structural components, such as a spacecraft and a rocket section or two rocket sections, are coupled to each other by a releasable coupling device. The structural components have radially protruding flanges that face each other and are encircled by the coupling device. The coupling device includes a flexible tensioning element, such as a steel belt or link chain, the ends of which are interconnected by a clamping or locking device. The clamping or locking device is constructed as a two-armed lever, one end of which is connected to each of the ends of the tensioning element. The two-armed lever is rotatably supported and driven by an operating member such as a pipe section or rod. The two-armed lever is thus rotatable through an angle of about 180.degree. so that the ends of the tensioning element are brought into overlapping positions. When the ends are in such overlapping positions the device is locked. Rotation of the two-armed lever into the opposite direction unlocks the device.