The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Nov. 06, 2001

Filed:

Dec. 13, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:

Michael J. Hersh, Bethesda, MD (US);

Edward J. Devine, Laurel, MD (US);

Assignee:

Swales Aerospace, Beltsville, MD (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G 1/44 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G 1/44 ;
Abstract

A pin puller combines an actuator with an anti-friction release mechanism, according to a bilaterally symmetric geometry. The anti-friction tension release mechanism ensures that only negligible friction forces need to be overcome to operate the tension release mechanism. Thus, the actuator is isolated from the large tension force that bears on the tension release mechanism. The bilateral symmetric aspect of the structure provides for mechanical redundancy, so that, in the event that one half of the pin puller fails, it is sufficient that the other half operate properly for the tension to be successfully released. This pin puller avoids premature release because it is not susceptible to static electricity or electromagnetic radiation. The pin puller also avoids generation of large shock waves due to its slow speed of operation and because of the gradual release interaction of mechanical parts within the anti-friction release mechanism.


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