Low-Shock Separation Device Using Pneumatic Gas Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separation devices in the aerospace industry, such as explosive bolts, generate harmful shockwaves and vibrations during separation, which can be detrimental in high-altitude environments and compromise reliability.

Innovation Solution

A low-shock separation device that utilizes high pressure generated by a combustion cartridge to unlock components, incorporating a deformable portion to absorb shock and a passage system to attenuate collisions, replacing explosive power with controlled high-pressure gas to minimize impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If explosive bolts are used for separation, then structural stability and quick separation response are improved, but harmful shockwaves, flame, and strong vibration are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation response speedVSAvoidshockwave and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the explosive mechanical system with a pneumatic system. Instead of using explosive power to separate components, the invention uses high-pressure gas generated by a pressure cartridge to drive a piston, which then moves the cylinder to achieve separation. This substitution eliminates the harmful shockwaves and flame while maintaining separation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a pressure cartridge filled with high-pressure gas to drive the separation mechanism. The gas pressure acts on the piston, which converts the pneumatic energy into mechanical motion of the cylinder, providing a controlled and shock-free separation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If explosive power is used to unlock internal locking structures, then separation effectiveness is improved, but reliability is reduced due to adverse influence in high altitude environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation reliabilityVSAvoidadverse influence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a controlled inert environment by using high-pressure gas to fill the separation chamber. This inert gas atmosphere prevents harmful interactions with the external environment, particularly in high-altitude conditions where oxygen levels are lower, thereby improving reliability and eliminating adverse influences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high pressure gas is used to move the cylinder, then shock is reduced, but device complexity increases due to passage system and deformable portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision impactVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces high-pressure gas as an intermediary substance between the power source and the moving components. The gas acts as a mediator that transmits energy smoothly, cushioning the impact between the cylinder and housing cap. This intermediary approach reduces shock while the passage system efficiently guides the gas flow to where it is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates a deformable portion in the housing cap that dynamically adjusts during the separation process. This deformable element allows the structure to adapt to the pressure changes and motion dynamics, absorbing excess energy and reducing impact forces. The dynamic response of the deformable portion complements the high-pressure gas system to minimize collision effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device effectively reduces shock and vibration during separation, ensuring reliability, maintaining quality, and facilitating easy handling by using high-pressure combustion to unlock internal locking structures without generating explosive shockwaves.

Implementation Method 1

high pressure that is generated by combustion of powder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

attenuate a collision between the cylinder and the housing cap by filling a space between the cylinder and the housing cap with high pressure gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure cushioning: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10480898B2Low-shock separation device

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEV

AI summary

A low-shock separation device is characterized in that an internal locking structure is unlocked and a bolt is separated by operating a specific part of components thereof using high pressure that is generated by combustion of powder.