Patent · US Expired

Tie-down and release mechanism for spacecraft

US5520476A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
12References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 18, 1993
Grant dateMay 28, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 18, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/593
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A release mechanism for attaching and releasing appendages from a main body such that shock and frictional effects are minimized. The release mechanism comprises a housing, a main cylindrical body, a collet, a toroidal spring and actuators, where the main cylindrical body includes radial projections. A wrap spring couples the collet and the toroidal spring.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.