Umbilical Cable Disconnect Device with Spacer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing umbilical cable disconnect methods for vehicles like missiles or rockets are bulky, interfere with aerodynamics, and risk short circuits due to large explosive cutters and external connectors, necessitating a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective solution.

Innovation Solution

A compact umbilical cable disconnect device featuring a base with a cutter and a spacer component that maintains separation until displacement during launch, allowing the cutter to penetrate the spacer and sever the cable, preventing short circuits with a non-metallic blade and minimizing trace overlap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If explosive cable cutters and external connectors are used for umbilical cable disconnect, then the cable can be severed, but the device becomes bulky and interferes with aerodynamics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable severance reliabilityVSAvoiddisconnect device volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cutter is nested within the base housing, and the spacer component is disposed within the opening of the base. The cutter extends into the opening but is maintained at a distance from the cable by the spacer. This nested arrangement allows all components to be contained within a compact volume, eliminating the need for bulky external connectors and large explosive cutters while maintaining the cable severance function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If explosive cable cutters are used for umbilical cable disconnect, then the cable can be severed, but the device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable severance reliabilityVSAvoiddisconnect device weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a simple cutter blade and spacer component that are disposable or single-use elements integrated into a lightweight base. This eliminates the need for heavy, complex explosive mechanisms while achieving the same cable severance function. The base, cutter, and spacer can be manufactured as a lightweight integrated assembly that is discarded or replaced after a single use, significantly reducing the weight compared to traditional explosive cable cutters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If large explosive cutters and external connectors are used, then cable disconnect is achieved, but short circuit risk increases due to trace overlap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable disconnect functionalityVSAvoidshort circuit risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base includes an opening that receives and isolates the cable, separating the cutting zone from surrounding areas. The spacer component further segments the space between the cutter and cable, ensuring controlled interaction only at the intended cutting point. This segmentation prevents stray conductors or trace overlaps from causing short circuits by confining the cutting action to a precise, isolated location within the base structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If compact disconnect device is used, then aerodynamic interference is minimized, but device complexity increases due to spacer component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisconnect device volumeVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base serves multiple functions: it houses the cutter, provides a mounting structure for the spacer component, receives and guides the cable through its opening, and protects the cutting mechanism. The spacer component simultaneously maintains cutter-cable separation during normal operation and allows cutter penetration during cable severance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, keeping the overall device simple despite the compact integration of multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides a passive, compact, and cost-effective umbilical cable disconnect that minimizes aerodynamic interference and prevents short circuits, ensuring reliable and efficient cable severance during vehicle launch.

Implementation Method 1

the cutter is operable to penetrate the spacer component in response to displacement of the disconnect device relative to the umbilical cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2920541B1Umbilical cable disconnect

Publication Date: 2018.05.30 RAYTHEON CO

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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3D

AI summary

An umbilical cable disconnect device (100) is disclosed. The umbilical cable disconnect device (100) includes a base (130) having an opening (131) configured to receive an umbilical cable (102), a cutter (110) extending into the opening (131) of the base (130), and a spacer component (120) disposed in the opening (131) between the cutter (110) and the umbilical cable (102). The spacer component (120) maintains separation of the cutter (110) and the umbilical cable (102) prior to disconnect of the umbilical cable (102). The cutter (110) is operable to penetrate the spacer component (120) in response to displacement of the disconnect device (100) relative to the umbilical cable (102) to facilitate cutting of the umbilical cable (102) by the cutter (110) to disconnect the umbilical cable (102).