Active Collet Assembly for Launch Vehicle Umbilical Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collet mechanisms for umbilical plates used in launch vehicles are passive, leading to friction-related issues that can hinder the separation of the flight portion from the ground portion during launch, resulting in off-nominal conditions.
Innovation Solution
An active collet assembly with a pin, cuff, and levers that pivotally couple to the pin, allowing for radial inward motion upon retraction, utilizing a spring and linkage to create the necessary load to collapse the fingers and ensure proper separation, reducing sensitivity to friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive collet mechanism is used, then the structure is simpler, but friction causes the fingers to remain outwardly spread and separation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static passive collet mechanism into a dynamic active system. The decoupler assembly includes a pin that can move between engaged and retracted positions, and levers that can pivot between bracing and pulling configurations. This dynamic capability allows the system to actively overcome friction during separation by pulling the fingers inward, rather than relying on passive spring forces that may be insufficient against frictional resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The levers act as intermediary elements between the pin and the fingers. When the pin retracts, the levers pivot and provide a mechanical advantage to pull the fingers inward, mediating the force transmission from the pin to the fingers. This intermediary mechanism amplifies the separation force and ensures reliable finger retraction even in the presence of friction.
2Ease of operation
If friction between fingers and collet mechanism portions is present, then the passive design works, but the fingers fail to retract properly and separation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the insufficient passive spring-mechanical system with an active lever-based mechanical advantage system. The levers provide a mechanical advantage that multiplies the force applied to retract the fingers, overcoming the frictional forces that prevent proper retraction in passive designs. This substitution transforms the mechanical system from one that cannot overcome friction to one that actively overcomes it.
3Reliability
If an active decoupler with levers is used, then separation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the collet assembly into distinct functional modules: the decoupler assembly with pin and levers, the fingers, and the cuff. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently. The levers are pivotally coupled to both the pin and the fingers, creating a modular linkage system that provides mechanical advantage while maintaining structural coherence. This segmentation makes the complex system more manageable and easier to manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active decoupler mechanism ensures reliable and efficient separation of the flight portion from the ground portion during launch, reducing the risk of off-nominal conditions by providing a mechanical advantage over passive designs.
Implementation Method 1
In another example, the roller is operatively coupled to a linkage, and the linkage is coupled to a spring and the pin.
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of levers pivotally are coupled to the plurality of fingers and the pin. In another example, the active decoupler is configured to move between an engaged position in which the plurality of levers outwardly brace the plurality of fingers, and a retracted position in which the plurality of levers inwardly pull the plurality of fingers.
Data Source
AI summary
A collet assembly, for an umbilical plate that connects a vehicle to a ground station prior to a launch of the vehicle, includes an active decoupler. The active decoupler includes a pin. A cuff has a central opening. The pin passes through the central opening. A plurality of fingers are pivotally coupled to the cuff. A plurality of levers are pivotally coupled to the plurality of fingers and the pin.