Satellite Release Apparatus Torque Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite release apparatuses may fail to properly release a satellite under high shock loads, such as those encountered during carrier rocket transport.
Innovation Solution
The satellite release apparatus incorporates two-armed pivot levers with an additional weight on one arm, which balances the mass distribution to prevent torque and accidental release during impact or shock loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the release apparatus is designed to be simple and compact, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability under high shock loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by adding balancing weights to the pivot levers. These weights compensate for the torque generated by the release spring and external shock loads, preventing unintended pivoting of the lever while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The counterweights are integrated into the pivot lever assembly, providing stability without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Strength
If the pivot lever is made more robust to withstand shock loads, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the pivot lever physically larger or more complex to withstand shock loads, the patent uses balancing weights attached to the lever arms. These weights create counter-torques that offset the forces from shock loads and the release spring, allowing the lever to remain relatively simple while achieving the required strength and stability under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mass distribution parameters of the pivot lever system by adding balancing weights at specific positions and masses. This parameter adjustment allows the lever to achieve the desired strength and stability characteristics without changing the fundamental structure or adding significant complexity to the lever mechanism itself.
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
This design ensures reliable satellite release even under high shock conditions by compensating torques and preventing unwanted pivoting of the pivot levers.
Implementation Method 1
the mass at both arms of a pivot lever can be set or distributed such that the two-armed pivot lever is subjected to no torque or only an extremely small torque in the event of an impact load or shock load since the torques at both sides of the pivot axis of a pivot lever compensate one another
Implementation Method 2
a mass and a position of the additional weight can be selected such that a center of gravity of each pivot lever, including all the parts connected to said pivot lever, lies in a region of a pivot axis of said pivot lever
Implementation Method 3
a release plunger that can be preloaded by a release spring and that is held in a preloaded position by two two-armed pivot levers
Data Source
AI summary
A release apparatus for releasing a satellite comprises a release plunger that can be preloaded by a release spring and that is held in a preloaded position by two two-armed pivot levers pivotable about a respective pivot axis, wherein each pivot lever can be held against a force of a spring in a holding position by a release element.