RU2707901C1 - Initiating device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: astronautics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to activators of mechanisms of retention of movable or detachable elements of spacecraft (SC) structures. Essence of invention consists in fact that initiating and actuating elements of initiating device are combined into one and made in form of split ring, segments of which are connected by wire from material with high value of specific electric resistance, and housing completely protects initiating and actuating elements from external mechanical actions. Besides, the initiating device is additionally equipped with damping gaskets, due to which the impact action value at actuation of the device is reduced.

EFFECT: disclosed is an initiating device.

3 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The invention relates to activating devices for holding mechanisms of movable or detachable structural elements of spacecraft (SC).

The famous "Lock" (Patent AT510026A4 from 2012-01-15), for activation of which a device is used based on burning a wire heated by electric current.

The disadvantage of this device is the inability to use the initiating device separately from this lock for other similar devices without changing the design, as well as the lack of the possibility of technological tripping, i.e. tripping without burning the wire.

Also known is a device for separating structural elements of a spacecraft (see Kolesnikov K.S., Kozlov V.I., Kokushkin V.V. “Dynamics of Separation of Aircraft Stages”. Moscow: Mashinostroenie, 1977, pp. 23-24) consisting of a housing, electric detonators and detonating charges.

The disadvantages of this device are high dynamic loads when triggered, increased weight and the need for increased safety measures during operation.

Closest to the claimed invention is a "Locking device" (patent RU No. 2307772 C2, B64G 1/00), consisting of a spring-loaded rod (holding element) held by a thread (actuating element), which is destroyed by a cylindrical filament (initiating element), behind due to its heating by electric current. This device is taken as a prototype.

The disadvantages of the prototype are:

- the need to ensure contact between the actuating element and the initiating element;

- long response time;

- large overall dimensions;

- a connector integrated into the housing, which does not allow for the possibility of docking cables from either side and increases the overall dimensions of the device;

- a low degree of reliability associated with the insecurity of the thread (actuator) from unauthorized external mechanical influences, as well as with the possibility of contact between the turns of the cylindrical incandescent spiral, which will lead to a decrease in its electrical resistance and the risk of premature combustion (before the destruction of the thread holding the retaining element);

- the impossibility of carrying out technological operation without changing the state of the actuating element;

- the presence of colliding structural elements creating shock when the device is triggered.

The problem to which the invention is directed is to create a device providing:

- higher reliability;

- reducing the overall dimensions of the device;

- lowering the shock created by the operation of the device;

- simplicity of operation and expansion of application possibilities in comparison with the analogue;

- reduction of time is necessary for the operation of the device.

The tasks are solved due to the fact that in the initiating device, consisting of a housing, including the initiating and actuating elements, a holding element made in the form of a spring rod, according to the claimed invention, the initiating and actuating elements are combined into one and made in the form of a split rings, the segments of which are connected by a wire made of a material with a high electrical resistivity, and the housing completely protects the initiating and actuating elements from external x mechanical stress. In addition, the initiating device may further comprise damping gaskets, springs installed between the segments of the split ring, and the holding element can be made of two parts.

The invention is illustrated by drawings:

FIG. 1 is a general view of the initiating device;

FIG. 2 is a general view of the initiating device.

The trigger device consists of a casing, consisting of two parts 1 and 2, interconnected by screws 3. Inside the parts of the casing 1 and 2 are: an actuator made in the form of a split ring 4, consisting of segments; an initiating element made in the form of a wire 5 from a material with a high value of electrical resistivity, for example, nichrome, connecting segments of the split ring 4; a holding element consisting of two parts and made in the form of a piston 6 and a rod 7; spring 8; damping pads 9; insulator 10. In turn, the split ring 4 consists of segments 11 connected by a wire 5 through studs 12, nuts 13 and washers 14, in addition to the segments 11 there are: contacts 15 to which wires 16 of the cable 17 of the initiating device are soldered; springs 18 installed between the segments of the split ring 4. Cable 17 is fixed to the housing 1 by a plate 19 through screws 20. The holding object 21 is fixed by the rod 7 in zone B (Fig. 1).

The combination of the executive (segments of the split ring 4) and initiating (wire 5 connecting the segments of the split ring 4) elements into one, allows you to reduce the number of parts of the device, thereby increasing reliability and reducing the overall dimensions of the device; to reduce the response time due to the fact that the actuating element is destroyed by heating it under the action of electric current, and not due to its heating by a separate initiating element, which eliminates losses during the transfer of thermal energy from the initiating element to the actuating element.

The electrical connector 23 is moved outside the housing by means of a cable 17, which makes it possible to simplify the process of electrical interface with the device when it is installed in hard-to-reach places and thereby expand the application possibilities of the device.

The case completely protects the entire mechanism of the device from external influences, which increases the reliability of the device.

Two parts (piston 6 and rod 7) of the retaining element can be disconnected if necessary, which makes it possible to actuate the device without actuating the actuator, which makes it cheaper and easier to operate if there is no need for regular triggering of the initiating device (for example, during ground-based experimental mining).

Damping pads 9 can reduce shock when the device is triggered, thereby increasing its reliability.

Trigger trigger is as follows. After applying electric current through the cable 17 of the initiating device, heating and destruction of at least one of the wires 5 connecting the segments of the split ring 4 occurs, which allows to violate the integrity of the split ring 4 and release the piston 6. The piston 6, by the action of the spring 8, pushes the segments of the split ring 4 and moves in the direction A, thereby freeing the holding object 21. At the end of the movement, the piston abuts against the housing 1 through the damping gaskets 9, which reduces the amount of impact clicking when the initiating device is triggered.

The springs 18 are designed to provide better collection and ease of operation when installing a split ring in the initiating device.

Re-cocking of the initiating device is done by replacing the split ring 4 or restoring the wire 5.

Technological response (without breaking the wire 5) is due to the possibility of separation of the rod 7 and the piston 6. The disconnection occurs by removing the wire 22 connecting the rod 7 and the piston 6. After separation, the rod 7 has the ability to move along its axis.

The technical effect is that:

- executive and initiating elements are combined into one;

- the device connector is moved outside the enclosure via cable;

- the case completely protects the entire mechanism of the device from external influences;

- the design of the initiating device allows its technological operation (without changing the state of the initiating element);

- the design of the device includes damping pads.

Claims (3)

1. The initiating device, consisting of a housing including the initiating and actuating elements, a holding element made in the form of a spring-loaded rod, characterized in that the initiating and actuating elements are combined into one and made in the form of a split ring, the segments of which are connected by a wire from material with a high value of electrical resistivity; the case consists of two parts and fully protects the initiating and actuating elements from external mechanical influences; the device further comprises damping pads. 2. The initiating device according to claim 1, characterized in that springs are installed between the segments of the split ring. 3. The initiating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element is made of two parts.

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