GB903097A - Pressure operated controller - Google Patents

Abstract

903,097. Toggles. REPLOGLE, E. H. Sept. 5, 1960, No. 30512/60. Class 80 (3). A pressure-operated controller for striking a movable member 15 comprises a toggle device 22 arranged in a cocked energy-storing position and movable to apply an impact force to the member 15 with a snap action, the cocked toggle device 22 being biased against a stop 23, and pressure-sensitive means, e.g. bellows 24 movable to push or pull the toggle device 22 away from the stop 23 to the released position. During its movement from cocked to released position the toggle device 22 releases excess energy over that supplied by the bellows actuation. In the embodiment shown, the toggle device 22 consists of a spring strip seated in notches 28 in each leg 26 of a U-shaped frame 25 and it bears against the stop 23 comprising a tubular sleeve adjustably mounted in a transverse frame member 29 which is adjustable to vary the spacing between the legs and thus the spring's energy-storing capacity. One end 33 of the bellows 24 carries an axially-projecting member 35 slidable in the stop 23, while the other end 34 is adjustably fixed by a stem 36 to the frame cross-bar. Decreasing atmospheric pressure at altitude causes the member 35 to move and engage the cocked spring strip 22 so that it passes centre and snaps into the released position 22a, Fig. 3, thereby pushing the seat lever 15 out of engagement with linkage 16, 17 to open a fluid-supply valve 18. Modifications are shown in which the controller is actuated, after arming, by the increasing atmospheric pressure on descent; and in which the controller acts to release a hook attached, e.g. to a parachute.