IL167905A - Structure coupler and coupler therefor - Google Patents

Description

167905/2 may la ei cintt na n Structure Coupling and Coupler Therefore Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. **™>b Λ*™** fl»*WWi C. 159465 STRUCTURE COUPLING AND COUPLER THEREFORE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to couplings for clamping connection of separable components of a structure. More specifically the invention is concerned with couplings adapted for fast release thereof by means of an integrated power activated separation system. The invention is further concerned with a coupler for use with the structure coupling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There often rises the need to integrate two or more structural components one to another, however in such a manner as to allow for instantaneous release of the components from one another.

One example where such a coupling arrangement is required is for axially connecting two cylindrical structures to one another. A different example is coupling two or more separable segments of a structure about a common longitudinal axis thereof.

Several solutions have been proposed throughout the years for couplings for structures of the aforementioned nature. For example, US Patent No. 3,458,217 to J. D. Pride et al discloses a clamping band connection between a pair of primary tubular members comprising a plurality of arcuate band segments of substantially rectangular cross section and having a groove on the inner surface thereof; adjacent portions of said primary tubular members having mating surfaces and recessed grooves having angular surfaces forming a tongue and matingly engaging said grooves in said band segments, and wherein said tongue forming portions of said primary members have sections gradually diminishing to the bottoms of said recessed grooves, and the inner surface of said groove of said band segments getting gradually shallower at each end in corresponding relationship to said tongue to provide a keying effect preventing torsional rotation between said primary tubular members; and connection means for releasably connecting adjacent ends of said band segments.

U.S. Patent No. 3,633,456 to Carr discloses a power-actuated system for releasably connecting structures wherein the releasing force does not apply a separation force to the structures being disconnected. Each of the structures to be separated have interlocking flanges along their separation edges which prevent separation in the plane of the structures. In addition, a multiple of releasable locking pins are placed along the mating flanges and when released permit lateral displacement of the structures. When applied to a cylindrical configuration the outwardly directed structure is in section.

U.S. Patent No. 3,903,803 to Losey discloses an arrangement for a missile of the type having a ballistic missile component and a boer motor adapted to propel the missile component during the boost phase of its trajectory, the booster motor having a forward section and the missile component being disposed so as to co-extensively abut the forward section, the improvement comprising; an annular member secured to the forward edge of said section and extending inwardly thereof, said member having an outwardly facing recess, a plurality of studs disposed inwardly of said missile component and affixed thereto, said studs having indented portions projecting into and being at least in part contiguous with said recess, a locking band, and releasable means holding a locking portion of said band tightly within said recess and against said indented portions for securely connecting said missile component to said section.

U.S. Patent No. 4,719,858 to Stiles discloses an arrangement where successive stages of a missile are held together by an encircling band joined at its ends by an explosive band separation device. Opposite ends of the band are welded to separable parts which interlock with each other. Since the band is held in tension, inclined surfaces on the separable parts force them from maintaining an engagement so that a retaining cover is needed to hold them together. The retaining cover is held by a pair of bails which diametrically communicate with a longitudinal bore. A piston in the bore keeps the balls in cavities in the retaining cover to hold the separable parts together. A power cartridge detonated by an electrical signal displaces the piston the length of the bore and the balls free of the retaining cover. The retaining cover rotates by a resultant upward force exerted by the inclining surfaces. Freed from the retaining cover the tensile force exerted by the band pulls the separable parts apart to free successive stages of the missile from one another. An insert or safety pin is included to hold the piston in place in the bore prior to detonation of the power cartridge so that the shock and vibration normally attendant a missile launch do not disrupt the interface between the missile stages. When the cartridge detonates, the insert pin is sheared by the piston to assure a responsive release of the encircling band.

U.S. Patent No. 6,357,699 to Edberg et al discloses a tension-relieving apparatus for reducing a level of tension in a structure. The tension-relieving apparatus includes a housing, a piston, a spacer member and a heat source. The housing has a wall member that defines a piston cavity. A rod aperture is formed in a first end of the wall member. The piston assembly has a rod and a piston. The rod extends through the rod aperture. The piston is disposed in the piston cavity and is coupled to an end of the rod. The spacer member is disposed in the piston cavity and is coupled to the piston assembly. The spacer member is transformable between a first condition and a second condition, with the first condition maintaining the piston at a first distance from the first end of the housing. The heat source is coupled to one of the housing, the piston assembly, and or the spacer member and provides heat to selectively cause the spacer member to transform to the second condition wherein the spacer member at least partially melts to permit the rod to advance toward the first end of the housing. Advancement of the piston toward the first end of the housing relieves a predetermined portion of the tension in the structure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling suited for axially connecting two cylindrical structures to one another or for coupling two or more separable segments of a structure having parallel longitudinal axes, said coupling comprises a coupler integrated with a power activated separation system. The coupler however may be applied foe connecting any two or more articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupling for tightly joining two ends of a brace coupling two or more segments. According to one application of the invention, the coupling is adapted for articulating two ends of cylindrical bodies coaxially extending, and according to another application the coupling is adapted for embracing two or more parallely extending segments.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a coupler for use with a coupling of the aforementioned type, where it is fitted over two corresponding ends of a brace, or for use as an independent connecting article for directly applying over adjoining ends of articles to be coupled.

The coupler according to the present invention comprises a lower lug and an upper lug, said upper lug and lower lug being each formed with a locking recess engageable with a corresponding locking piece slidingly received within a cavity extending between said upper lug and lower lug, said locking piece is displaceable between a locked position in which it engages the locking recess of each of said upper lug and lower lug where said lugs are tightly coupled to one another, and an open position in which it disengages from the recesses to allow detaching of the lugs from one another, and further wherein at least one of said upper lug and lower lug and the locking piece are formed with one or more ejecting surfaces to facilitate disengagement and separation of the lugs from one another and sliding displacement of the locking piece.

The arrangement is such that the flanged wall segment of the upper lug is interrupted and comprises two or more segmented sections, and the upper locking lug of the locking piece is interrupted in cadence with the flanged wall segment of the upper lug such that at the locked position, the segments of the locking piece clampingly engage segmented sections of the upper lug with the flanged section of the lower lug, whilst axial shifting of the locking piece into its open position entails disengagement thereof form the flanged wall segment to facilitate displacement of the upper lug to disengage and separate from the lower lug. However, the number of segmented sections formed at the flanged wall segment of the upper lug and at the upper locking lug of the locking piece may differ, as long as these segments are in cadence with one another.

According to a first configuration of the ejecting surfaces, the locking piece is formed with one or more first sloped surfaces extending at planes having their normal perpendicular to an axis of displacement of the locking piece, where locking arms of the upper locking lug glide over said first sloped surfaces.

According to a second configuration of the ejecting surfaces, the locking piece is formed with one or more second sloped surfaces extending at planes having their normal parallel to an axis of displacement of the locking piece where corresponding slopes formed at the upper locking lug glide over said second sloped surfaces.

According to a particular design of the invention, axial displacement of the locking piece into its open position entails also spacing apart of the upper lug from the lower lug, to ensure separation and disengagement thereof.

According to the invention, there is further provided a power activated separation system for displacing the locking piece into its open position. According to one particular embodiment of the invention the separation system comprises a plunger axially displaceable between a retracted position and an extracted position for forcefully biasing the locking piece into its open position.

According to embodiment, the separation system is a gas generator fitted with an electric fuse comprising only a small amount of explosive material received within a combustion chamber, and a plunger extending from said chamber opposite the locking piece, wherein the chamber is substantially sealed to prevent distribution of explosion products and of debris to the atmosphere.

Typically, the separation system is electrically activated. It is also noticeable that the arrangement offers reduced shocks upon opening of the coupling, which is of importance when considering missiles and the like, to thereby minimize destruction from the course of flight.

By one specific design, at its locked position the locking piece is partially retracted at least at one end thereof, whilst at its open position it is axially displaced, however the arrangement is such that the locking piece does not detach from the assembly at its open position.

According to one particular embodiment, the lower lug and the upper lug are fitted with load bearing members, wherein one of the upper lug and lower lug is formed with a protrusion receptacle groove and the other one of the upper lug and lower lug is formed with a locking projection snugly receiving within said protrusion receptacle groove at an engaged state thereof. According to a particular design, adjoining bearing edges of the locking projection and of the receptacle groove are inclined with respect to a normal to a direction of tension force applied between said upper lug and lower lug.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the locking piece is retained at its locked position by a sheer pin extending through one or both of the upper lug and lower lug.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, tension between the lugs is adjusted by a tension adjusting mechanism fitted to one or both of the upper lug and lower lug. The tension adjusting mechanism may be for example a screw-threaded member extending between the upper lug log and a corresponding brace end or an end of an article.

Where the coupler is used for coupling two ends of a brace coupling two or more segments, whether said segments extend coaxially or parallely, the lower lug is fixed to an end of a brace and the lower lug is fixed to a mating end of a brace (same or other brace). It is optional that one or both of the lower lug and the upper lug are fixed to the respective brace end by an intermediate flange member with a tensioning mechanism extending between the respective lug and said flange member.

Where the coupler is used for articulating two articles, the upper lug and the lower lug are each fixed to a respective first article and a corresponding second article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, several embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is an exploded isometric view of a multi-stage rocket wherein the stages are axially retained at their assembled position by a coupling band according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. IB is an exploded isometric view of a multi-stage rocket comprising detachable stage shell segments retained at their assembled position by a coupling band according to an embodiment of the present invention Fig. 2 is an elevation of a coupling band use for example in rockets according to the embodiments of Figs 1A and IB; Fig. 3 is an isometric view showing a closure portion of the band seen in Fig. 2; Fig. 4A is a side elevation, partially sectioned, of the coupling band and the coupler, at a closed, engaged, positioned thereof; Fig. 4B is en enlargement of the portion marked IV in Fig. 4A; Fig. 4C is an isometric view of the coupler seen in Fig. 4A, in the closed position; Fig. 4D is an isometric view of the coupler seen in Fig. 4A, in the open position; - 8 - 167905/2 Fig. 4B is en enlargement of the portion marked IV in Fig. 4A; Fig. 4C is an isometric view of the coupler seen in Fig. 4A, in the closed position; Fig. 4D is an isometric view of the coupler seen in Fig. 4A, in the open position; Fig. 5A is an isometric view of a gas generator separation system according to the invention, with a cover thereof removed foe exemplification, in its retracted position; Fig. 5B is an isometric view of the gas generator of Fig. 5A in its projecting position; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a coupler according to the present invention fitted over flanged closures of an article; Fig. 7 is an isometric bottom view illustrating the closure portion of a coupler band according to the present invention; Figs. 8A and 8B are sections through the gas generator and coupler, at a closed, engaged, position and at the open position, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Attention is first directed to Fig. 1 of the drawings illustrating a multi-stage missile generally designated 10 comprising a plurality of stages 12A-12F fitted with a couple/separation system in accordance with the present invention as will be illustrated hereinafter with further detail to Figs. 2-5. The different stages are for example a solid propellant rocket booster motor 12A, a skirt section 12B joining a rocket booster motor 12C to the solid propellant rocket booster motor 12A, a payload section 12D, a re-entry section 12E and a nose fairing 12F, adapted to be axially coupled to one another whereas separation of the different stages takes place as the missile progresses about its flight pass, as known, 01594654\34-01 - 9 - 167905/2 per se. The stages are sepeperatably coupled by means of bands 32 embracing adjoining edges of the stages, only one of which illustrated in Fig. 1.

The embodiment of Fig. IB illustrates a missile generally designated 20 comprising several principle stages 22A-22F axially mounted, whilst at least the payload 24 is surrounded by a three-piece fairing 28 forming together, at the assembled position, a protective cone encapsulating the payload 24. The three-piece fairing 28, each in the form of a segmented shell, are coaxially coupled about the longitudinal axis of the missile. In the embodiment of Fig. IB, axial coupling of the rocket stages, e.g. 22A-22B is facilitated by coupling band 32 in accordance with the present invention as will be illustrated hereinafter with reference to Figs. 2-5 and similarly, the three segmented fairing 28 are retained in their protective cone shape (not shown) also by a coupling brace 32 as will be clarified hereinafter.

Fig. 2 illustrates a clamping band in accordance with the present invention generally designated 30 which in the present embodiment is assembled of four band segments 32. Each segment is formed with a first end 32 A and a second end 32B, the arrangement being such that adjoining ends 32 A and 32B of neighboring band segments 32 are coupled together by a coupler 36 in accordance with the present invention as will be shown in further detail with reference to the remaining figures.

Whilst Fig. 2 illustrates a coupling end consisting of four segments 32, it should be appreciated that any number of segments may be applied, although in practice three or four such segments are used. This is in order to ensure proper separation of the missile stages also in case of malfunctioning of one of the couplers.

The cross-section of the band segments may assume different configurations depending on the nature of the adjoining edges of the missile stages or of the fairing shells as discussed hereinabove. 01594654\34-01 - 10 - 167905/2 With further reference to Figs. 4A-4C, attention is directed to a particular design of a coupler 36 in accordance with the present invention. The coupler 36 comprises a lower lug 40 integrated with or fixedly attached to the end section 32B of end segment 32 (Fig. 2) and an upper lug, 42 which is articulated via a tensioning bolt 44 to a flanged member 46 integrated or fixedly attached to section 32A of band segment 32 (Fig. 2).

In the assembled, closed position (i.e. engagingly secured) there extends a transversely extending locking piece receptacle cavity at 50, accommodating a locking piece 52 axially received within said cavity. The lower lug 40 is formed with a lower locking recess 54 defined by a flanged wall section 56 and the upper lug 42 is formed with a locking recess 58 defined by a flanged wall segments 60.

In the assembled position (Fig. 4A) the flanged wall segments 56 and 60 extend flush above one another and axially aligned.

The locking piece 52 is formed with a locking groove 64 defined between a lower locking lug 68 and an upper locking lug 70.

The arrangement is such that at the locked, assembled position of Fig. 4 A, the flanged wall sections 56 and 60 of the lower lug and the upper lug, respectively are clampingly received within the locking groove 64 of the locking piece 52 whilst locking lugs 68 and 70 are snugly received within locking recesses 54 and 58 of the lower lug 40 and upper lug 42, respectively.

It is noticeable that the flanged section 56 of the lower lug 40 is continues, i.e. extends substantially the width of the lower lug 40 (though it may be interrupted), whilst the flanged wall segment 60 of the upper lug 40 is interrupted, giving rise to construction of two segmented sections 71 and 72 (best seen in Figs. 4C and 4D). In a corresponding manner, the lower locking lug 68 of locking piece 52 is continuous (though it may be interrupted), the upper locking lug 70 of the locking piece 52 is interrupted and comprises two segments 73 and 75 in correspondence with segmented sections 71 and 72. The arrangement is such that at the locked position, the segments 73 and 75 of the locking piece 52 01594654\34-01 - 11 - 167905/2 clampingly engage the segmented sections 71 and 72 of the upper lug 42, with the as the flanged section 56 of the lower lug 40. However, axial shifting of the locking piece into its open position (Fig. 4D) entails disengagement thereof form the flanged wall segment 60 of the upper lug 40, to facilitate displacement of the upper lug 42 to disengage and separate from the lower lug 40. However, the number of segmented sections formed at the flanged wall segment of the upper lug and at the upper locking lug of the locking piece may differ, as long as these segments are in cadence with one another.

As can further be seen, in particular in Figs. 4A and 4B, the lower lug and the upper lug are fitted with load bearing arrangement wherein the lower lug 40 is fitted with a locking protrusion 74 received within a receptacle groove 78 formed in the upper lug 42 wherein tension applied in opposite directions indicated by arrows 78 A and 78B is mainly borne by mating surfaces 80 and 82 of the lower lug 40 and the upper lug 42, respectively. It is noticed that the adjoining bearing surfaces 80 and 82 are inclined with respect to a normal to direction of the tension force applied between said upper lug and lower lug.

As already mentioned above, the upper lug 42 is articulated via tensioning bolt 44 to flanged member 46 which in turn is fixed to a band section 32A. The band is thus tensioned by means of bolt 90 bearing against wall 92 of the flanged member 46 (Fig. 4A) where an opposite end 96 of bolt 44 is fixedly received within a receptacle 100 of the upper lug 42, whereby rotating nut 90 narrows the gap between the upper bolt 42 and the flanged member 46, resulting in tensioning of the band 32 over the coupled body (e.g. missile stages as discussed hereinabove).

As can further be seen also with reference to Fig. 4C, the locking piece 52 is formed with several gliding surfaces to facilitate disengagement (ejection) and separation of the upper lug 42 from the lower lug 40. A first set of gliding surfaces 110A and HOB are formed on the locking piece 52 at planes having their normal perpendicular to an axis of displacement of the locking piece 52 01594654\34-01 - 12 - 167905/2 where flanged wall segments 60 extending from the upper lug 42 are adapted for gliding over said sloped surfaces 110A and HOB to facilitate axial displacement of the locking piece 52 and further to facilitate ejection and disengagement of the upper lug from the lower lug.

In a second configuration of ejection surfaces, the locking piece 52 is formed with two inclined surfaces 120A and 120B adapted for sliding under corresponding inclined surfaces 124A and 124B formed at corresponding sections of the upper lug 42 whereby axial displacement of locking piece 52 in the direction of arrow 130 (Fig. 4D) entails displacement of the upper lug 42 in the direction of arrow 134 to thereby disengage from the lower lug 40, thus opening the bracing band.

Further noticed in Fig 4C, the locking piece 52 is retained at its locked position by a sheer pin 138 extending through one or both of the upper lug 42 and the lower lug 40, said sheer pin 138 inserted into position via hole 139.

The coupler disclosed in accordance with the present invention further comprises a power activated separation system 130 which is a gas generator fitted with an electric fuse activated by electric wiring schematically represented at 132. The arrangement is such that the gas generator comprises a plunger piston 140 (Figs. 5A and 5B) axially displaceable in alignment with the locking piece 52 (Fig. 3 and Figs 5A and 5B).

As can be seen in Figs. 5A and 5B, the gas generator 130 comprises a housing 142 (a top cover of which has been removed for exposing some of its components) fixedly secured e.g. by bolts or rivets such that the plunger piston 140 coaxially extends opposite the locking piece 52. The electric wiring 132 is coupled via coupler 146 to an electronic igniter 148 extending into a combustion chamber 152 holding an amount of black powder 154. Upon igniting the igniter 148, by an electronic control signal, the black powder ignites giving rise to rapid pressure rise within chamber 152, resulting in propelling the piston 140 to project from the housing 142 as in the position of Fig. 5B. It is 01594654\34-01 - 13 - 167905/2 noticed that the piston 140 comprises a peripheral sealing rim 160 which at the projecting position of Fig. 5B sealingly bears against a corresponding sealing rim 162 of the housing 142, to thereby limit axial displacement of the plunger piston 140 and further to eliminate or substantially reduce the amount of burning products distributed to the atmosphere or of any debris/fragments of the coupler.

This has significant importance in particular when considering sensitive equipment such as satellites and the like which even dust particles may influence proper functioning thereof. It is also noticeable that the arrangement offers reduced shocks upon opening of the coupling, which is of importance when considering missiles and the like, to thereby minimize destruction from the course of flight.

In accordance with one particular embodiment of the invention (not shown) the housing of the power activated separation system (gas generator) may be integrally fitted or fixedly attached to one of the lugs, e.g. the lower lug 40.

This embodiment reduces the need to ascertain proper fixation of the gas generator such that its piston is in alignment with the locking piece.

With further reference to Fig. 6, there is illustrated a coupler in accordance with the present invention generally designated 170 comprising the same principle components as illustrated in connection with the previous elements however, the lower lug 40' and the flanged member 46' are directly coupled to arms 170 and 172, respectively of a structure to be lockingly coupled by the coupler 170 and which is to be releasingly uncoupled in a remote controlled fashion using a power activated separation system e.g. a gas generator 130'.

As can further be seen in Figs. 7 and 8, axial displacement of the locking piece 52 is restricted by an arresting screw 180 projecting from the lower lug 42 of t coupler 36 into a recess 180 formed at the locking piece 52, thus preventing its IN* disengagement from the assembly displaced into the open, disengaged position cn (Fig. 8B). Similarly, axial displacement of the piston 140 is limited within housing 142 by an arresting screw 188 fixed through the housing 142 and projecting 01594654\34-01 - 14 - 167905/2 therefrom into a recess 192 formed at the piston 140, so that it does not disengage from the housing 142 once displaced into its forward position (Fig. 8B).

Whilst some embodiments have been described and illustrated with reference to some drawings, the artisan will appreciate that many variations are possible which do not depart from the general scope of the invention, mutatis, mutandis. 01594654Y34-01

Claims (33)

167905/1

1. A coupler comprising a lower lug and an upper lug each formed with a locking recess engageable with a corresponding locking piece slidingly received within a cavity extending between lugs; said locking piece is displaceable between a locked position in which it engages the locking recess of each of said upper lug and lower lug where said lugs are tightly coupled to one another, and an open position in which it disengages from the recesses to allow detaching of the lugs from one another; and further wherein at least one of said upper lug and lower lug and the locking piece are formed with one or more ejecting surfaces to facilitate disengagement and separation of the lugs from one another and sliding displacement of the locking piece, and further comprising a power activated separation system for displacing the locking piece into its open position.

2. A coupler according to claim 1 , wherein the flanged wall segment of the upper lug is interrupted and comprises two or more segmented sections, and the upper locking lug of the locking piece is interrupted in cadence with the flanged wall segment of the upper lug such that at the locked position, the segments of the locking piece clampingly engage segmented sections of the upper lug with the flanged section of the lower lug, whilst axial shifting of the locking piece into its open position entails disengagement thereof form the flanged wall segment to facilitate displacement of the upper lug to disengage and separate from the lower lug.

3. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein the locking piece is formed with one or more first sloped surfaces extending at planes having their normal perpendicular to an axis of displacement of the locking piece, where locking arms of the upper locking lug glide over said first sloped surfaces.

4. A coupler according to claim 1 , wherein the locking piece is formed with one or more second sloped surfaces extending at planes having their normal parallel to an axis of displacement of the locking piece where corresponding slopes formed at the upper locking lug glide over said second sloped surfaces. - 15 -

5. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein axial displacement of the locking piece into its open position entails also spacing apart of the upper lug from the lower lug to facilitate separation and disengagement thereof.

6. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein the power activated separation system comprises a plunger axially displaceable between a retracted position and an extracted position for forcefully biasing the locking piece into its open position.

7. A coupler according to one of claims 1 and 6, wherein the separation system is a gas generator fitted with an electric fuse comprising a small amount of explosive material received within a combustion chamber, and a plunger extending from said chamber opposite the locking piece, wherein the Chamber is substantially sealed to prevent distribution of explosion products or distribution of debris to the atmosphere.

8. A coupler according to any one of claims 1, 6 and 7, wherein the separation system is electrically activated.

9. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein at its locked position the locking piece is partially retracted at least at one end thereof, whilst at its open position it is axially displaced.

10. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement is such that the locking piece does not detach from the assembly at its open position.

11. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein the lower lug and the upper lug are fitted with load bearing members, wherein one of the upper lug and lower lug is formed with a protrusion receptacle groove and the other one of the upper lug and lower lug is formed with a locking projection snugly receiving within said protrusion receptacle groove at an engaged state thereof.

12. A coupler according to claim 11, wherein adjoining bearing surfaces of the locking projection and of the receptacle groove are inclined with respect to a normal to a direction of tension force applied between said upper lug and lower lug. - 16 -

13. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein the locking piece is retained at its locked position by a sheer pin extending through one or both of the upper lug and lower lug.

14. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein tension between the upper lug and the lower lug lugs is adjusted by a tension adjusting mechanism fitted to the upper lug and a flanged member articulated to an adjoining brace end or an end of a coupled article.

15. A coupler according to claim 14, wherein the tension adjusting mechanism is a screw-threaded member extending between the upper lug and an adjoining brace end or an end of an coupled article.

16. A coupler according to claim 1, for use as a coupler/separation system in a multi-stage missile.

17. A coupler according to claim 1, for separable coupling of axially retained stages of a stages a multi-stage missile.

18. A coupler according to claim 1, for separable coupling of axially retained stages of a stages a multi-stage missile.

19. A coupler according to claim 1, for separable coupling of two or more shell elements of a fairing.

20. A coupler according to claim 19, wherein said shells extending about a common axis and forming together a protective cone encapsulating a payload of a missile.

21. A separable coupling composing a brace, the ends of which being separably coupled by a coupler according to claim 1.

22. A coupling according to claim 21, wherein the brace comprises at least two brace segments.

23. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein the coupler is used for coupling two ends of a brace coupling two or more segments, whether said segments extend coaxially or parallely, the lower lug is fixed to an end of a brace and the lower lug is fixed to a mating end of a brace. - 17 -

24. A coupler according to claim 23, one or both of the lower lug and the upper lug are fixed to the respective brace end by an intermediate flange member with a tensioning mechanism extending between the respective lug and said flange member. 5

25. A coupler according to claim 1, used for articulating two articles, the upper lug and the lower lug are each fixed to a respective first article and a corresponding second article.

26. A coupler according to claim 1, wherein the power activated separation system is fixedly attached to the lower lug. 10

27. A coupling assembly comprising a coupler according to claim 1 where the lower lug is fixedly attached to a first article and the upper lug is attached to a second article.

28. A coupling assembly according to claim 27, wherein the upper lug is attached to the second article via a tensioning mechanism. 15

29. A coupling assembly according to claim 28, wherein the upper lug is attached to the second article via a flanged member, and where said tensioning mechanism extends between the upper lug and the flanged member.

30. A coupler substantially as herein before claimed in the claims.

31. A coupler substantially as herein before illustrated and described in the 0 accompanying description and claims.

32. A coupling substantially as herein before claimed in the claims.

33. A coupling substantially as herein before illustrated and described in the accompanying description and claims.