GB1561595A - Creación de Inventos y Patentes con Inteligencia Artificial

GB1561595A – Automatic harness release assembly
– Google Patents

GB1561595A – Automatic harness release assembly
– Google Patents
Automatic harness release assembly

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Publication number
GB1561595A

GB1561595A
GB42755/76A
GB4275576A
GB1561595A
GB 1561595 A
GB1561595 A
GB 1561595A
GB 42755/76 A
GB42755/76 A
GB 42755/76A
GB 4275576 A
GB4275576 A
GB 4275576A
GB 1561595 A
GB1561595 A
GB 1561595A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
light
connector
prism
harness
shaft
Prior art date
1975-10-14
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Expired

Application number
GB42755/76A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Gulf and Western Industries Inc

Original Assignee
Gulf and Western Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1975-10-14
Filing date
1976-10-14
Publication date
1980-02-27

1976-10-14
Application filed by Gulf and Western Industries Inc
filed
Critical
Gulf and Western Industries Inc

1980-02-27
Publication of GB1561595A
publication
Critical
patent/GB1561595A/en

Status
Expired
legal-status
Critical
Current

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Classifications

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS

B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

B64D17/00—Parachutes

B64D17/22—Load suspension

B64D17/30—Harnesses

B64D17/32—Construction of quick-release box

Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC

Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.

Y10T24/45—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock]

Y10T24/45225—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock] including member having distinct formations and mating member selectively interlocking therewith

Y10T24/45461—Interlocking portion actuated or released responsive to preselected condition [e.g., heat, pressure]

Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC

Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.

Y10T24/45—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock]

Y10T24/45466—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock] including member having distinct formations and mating member selectively interlocking therewith having electric or fluid powered, actuation or release, of interlock

Description

PATENT SPECIFICATION
( 11) ( 21) Application No 42755176 ( 22) Filed 14 Oct 1976 ( 31) Convention Application No.
621 925 ( 32) Filed 14 Oct 1975 in ( 33) United States of America (US) ( 44) Complete Specification published 27 Feb 1980 ( 51) INT CL 3 E 05 B 51100 ( 52) Index at acceptance E 2 A BD ( 72) Inventors DAVID LYMAN JOHANSEN PETER JULIAN VAICE 1 561, 595 ( 19) i ( 54) AUTOMATIC HARNESS RELEASE ASSEMBLY ( 71) We, GULF & WESTERN INDUSTRIES, INC, a Delaware corporation U S A.
of 1 Gulf & Western Plaza, New York, New York 10023 United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:-
The invention relates to a two-piece connector and particularly to a system for automatic release of such a connector.
The present invention provides a connector including a male member having a rearward end adapted to engage a harness strap and a forward end having connector prongs extending forwardly thereof, a female member having a rearward end adapted to engage a harness strap and a forward end having prong receiving channels for receiving said connector prongs, a release assembly including a cross-shaft mounted in said female member to intersect said receiving channels, said cross-shaft having cut out portions in said receiving channels and being arranged when in a first position to secure said male connector prongs in said channels and in a second position to release said prongs.
a pin member mounted on said cross-shaft for forcibly rotating said cross-shaft from said first position to said second position when driven by a force, an explosive device, including a detonation means, mounted in said female member for providing an explosive force upon being detonated by said detonation means, piston means slidably mounted in said female member and arranged to receive said explosive force upon detonation of said explosive device and to exert a driving force on said pin member in response to said explosive force, thereby forcibly rotating said cross-shaft to said second position, an electro-optic actuator assembly mounted on said female member for detonating said detonation means, said actuator assembly including a source of power, a light source driven by said source of 50 power and positioned at one end of a light transmission path, means responsive to light from said light source at the opposite end of said transmission path, 55 said light transmission path including prism means responsive to the presence of a liquid to direct light from said source along said light transmission path to said means responsive to light when said prism means 60 is in a liquid environment and to divert said light away from said means responsive to light, when out of said liquid environment, and means coupled to said light responsive 65 means, to said power supply and to said detonation means for detonating said detonation means in response to the incidence of light on said light responsive means 70 The preferred use of the connector is for straps of a harness, such as for a canopy, parachute or the like Alternatively the two ends of one strip may be joined using the connector 75 In accordance with the invention there is provided a power actuated harness release The harness release can be automatically opened in emergency conditions such as when the harness is in a fluid 80 medium such as water.
The illustrated embodiment of the present invention provides a two-piece separable connector, such as a male strap connecting member and a female strap connecting 85 member, is provided in which projecting prongs of the male connecting member are inserted into receiving channels of the female connecting member and the prongs are releasably secured in the receiving 90 tn I O 1 561 595 channels by a latching or cross-shaft secured in the frame of the female connecting member An internal release pin is positively coupled to the cross-shaft in the female connecting member such that by displacing the release pin arcuately the cross-shaft is correspondingly rotated The internal release pin may be forcibly moved or displaced arcuately so as to rotate the crossschaft to an unlatched position.
An electro-optic assembly, which responds to the presence of a fluid medium such as water serves to trigger a force means which acts upon the internal release pin and effects automatic release or separation of the two-piece connector The electro-optic assembly includes a sensing assembly, which detects the presence of the fluid medium, and a firing assembly which is actuated by the sensing assembly The sensing assembly may include a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED), at one end of a light transmitting path, a light responsive means, such as a photosensitive device, or photodetector, at the opposite end of the light transmitting path, a prism member, intermediate the light source and photosensitive device, which transmits light from the light source to the light responsive means only when immersed in the fluid medium, and an electronic circuit means responsive to a signal from the photosensitive device The firing assembly includes a slidably mounted piston positioned to engage the internal release pin and an explosive charge which is detonated by an electrical signal from the electronic circuit means.
In operation when the prism of the sensing assembly is immersed in water, light is transmitted along a controlled path from the light source to the photosensitive device.
The output of the photosensitive device serves to actuate a trigger circuit which detonates an explosive charge in the firing means which drives the piston into engagement with the internal release pin The force exerted on the release pin drives the pin to effect rotation of the cross-shaft or member, thereby permitting separation of the male and female connecting members and release of the harness.
Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when taken in connection with the following description of an embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a side elevation view of the separated male and female strap connecting member of a two-piece connector with an electro-optic actuator mounted in the female strap connecting member; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electro-optic actuator; Figure 3 is a detailed top elevation view of the female strap connecting member with parts broken away and sectioned and a partial view of the male strap connecting member released from the female strap connecting member; 70 Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing the firing assembly of the electro-optic actuator; Figure 5 is a detailed view of Figure 4 showing the piston member of the electro 75 optic actuator extended to rotate the pin member and cross-shaft through 450 to the release position; Figure 5 a is a detailed view of Figure 4 showing a further portion of the electro 80 optic actuator; Figure 6 is sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 4 showing the sensing assembly of the electro-optic actuator; Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views 85 of the prism and light-transmitting path included to aid in the explanation of operation of the electro-optic actuator; and Figure 9 is an electrical schematic diagram of the circuit responsive to light for 90 detonating the explosive in the firing assembly of the electro-optic actuator.
Referring now to Figures 1-8, a harness release comprises a two-piece connector including a male strap connecting member 2 95 and a female strap connecting member 4.
The male strap connecting member 2 has a frame 6 provided with holes 8 on opposite sides thereof into which is secured a crosspiece 10 adapted to be engaged by a loop 100 of a strap at one end of a harness, not shown Extending forwardly of shaft 10 are connector prongs 12 and 12 ‘ having detents or recesses 14 and 14 ‘ therein respectively.
The female strap connecting member 4 has 105 a frame 16 provided with holes 18 on either side thereof into which is secured a crosspiece 20 adapted to be engaged by a loop of a strap, not shown, which forms another part of the harness 110 Frame 16 is formed with a pair of prong securing channels 22 and 22 ‘ which receive prongs 12 and 12 ‘ respectively of the male strap connecting member 2 to secure the harness A cross-shaft 24 is journalled in 115 frame 16 rearwardly of channels 22 and is positioned with a portion of the cross-shaft projecting into the channels 22 for securing the male connecting member by engagement with the prongs 12 in the recess 14 The 120 cross-shaft 24 is formed with cut-away portions (not shown) aligned with the prongs securing channels 22 When the harness is secured, the recesses 14 in the prongs 12 of the male connecting member 2 are en 125 gaged by the shaft 24 of the female connecting member 4 to prevent the prong from being withdrawn from the channels 22, thus securing the harness release When the shaft 24 is rotated in a counterclockwise direc 130 1 561 595 tion, as viewed in Figure 4, so that the cut-away portions (not shown) of the shaft 24 face the channels 22, the shaft 24 becomes disengaged from the recesses 14 so that the prongs 12 of the male connecting member may be withdrawn from the channels 22 and thus uncouple the male connecting member from the female connecting member to effect release of the harness.
The cross-shaft 24 may be manually rotated to uncouple the connector using a yoke or release lever 26 The extremes of yoke lever 26 are provided with lever arms 28 (Figure 3) having inwardly projecting teeth 30 which fit in to slots 32 of the cross-shaft separated by ribs 34 in the opposite ends of the cross-shaft 24 The yoke or release lever 26 and the cross-shaft 24 have a common axis, each being rotatable about the common axis When the yoke lever 26 is displaced counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, teeth 30 abut ribs 34 and rotate the cross-shaft 24 also in a counterclockwise direction thus effecting disengagement of the cross-shaft from the detents of recesses 14, 14 ‘, to permit release of the prongs 12 from the channels 22.
The cross-shaft 24 and the yoke lever lever 26 are journalled on pins 36 at opposite sides of the frame 16 The cross-shaft is biased to turn in a clockwise direction by a coil spring 38 anchored to pin 36 and frame 16 A retaining flap 40 which holds the yoke or release lever 26 in place is mounted in the farme 16 by pins 42, 44 which project through holes in opposite sides of the frame The retaining flap 40 has to be rotationally displaced to expose the yoke lever 26 before the connecting member can be manually uncoupled Coil springs 46, 48 anchored to pins 42, 44 and frame 16 tend to rotate locking flap 40 in a counterclockwise direction retaining the yoke lever 26 in the locked position The overlapping of the retaining flap 40 over the yoke lever 26 is shown more clearly in Figure 4.
To secure the male connecting member 2 to the female connecting member 4, the prongs 12 are inserted into the channels 22.
The leading portions of the prongs push against the biased or spring-loaded crossshaft 24 to rotate the cross-shaft 24 against the biasing force until the cut-out portions of the crdss shaft are rotationally displaced so as to permit the prongs to be fully inserted into the channels The arrangement of teeth 30, ribs 34 and spring 38 permits rotation of the cross-shaft 24 without movement of the yoke lever 26 After the forward edge of recess 14 passes cross-shaft 24, the biasing force applied by spring 38 snaps cross-shaft 24 into the latching position.
More detail of the arrangement and operation of the harness release as thus far described can be obtained from United States Patent 3,183,568.
For automatic power activated release, the harness connector is provided with an 70 electro-optic actuator assembly 50 mounted in the female strap connecting member 4.
Actuator assembly 50 includes a housing 52 supporting a sensing assembly, generally designated by reference numeral 54 and an 75 explosive device or firing assembly 56 (Figure 4), both of which are encapsulated in a potting compound 57 to provide environmental and structural support for the commonents 80 Sensing assembly 54 includes an energy radiation or light source 58, such as a lightemitting diode (LED), for example, positioned at one end of a radiation transmission path and a radiation responsive 85 element 60, such as a photodetector, for example, positioned at the opposite end of the radiation transmission path Intermediate the transmission path between the light source 58 and photodetector 60 is a 90 hollow triangular prism 62, bounded by side walls 64, 66 and 68 A refractor/reflector plate 70 is mounted on wall 64 in a threaded housing 72 The threaded-screw coupling provides for movement of plate 70 with 95 respect to wall 64 for optimum reflection of radiation to photodetector 60 when the plate 70 is functioning in its reflector mode.
Thus, a carefully defined wave path may be generated to guard against transient 100 waves activating the radiation detector.
The plate 70 serves both as a reflector, when the hollow prism 62 is filled with water, and as a transparent element, when the hollow prism 62 is in air, with respect to the 105 radiated light waves generated by the light emitting diode When functioning in the reflection mode, adjustability of the plate is desirable in order to reflect as much of the energy generated by the LED to 110 the photodetector as possible.
When functioning in the refraction mode, the plate 70 is essentially transparent to the radiated waves and, since the plate 70 is at an inclined angle with respect to the path 115 of the radiated waves the waves strike the plate 70, refract slightly when passing through the plate and continue on a course slightly offset from the plane of the original path 120 In the preferred embodiment, the radiation source 58 is a light source, a light emitting diode (LED), for example, which radiates light in the infra-red portion of the spectrum The photodetector 60 is par 125 ticularly responsive to infra-red radiation and tuned to a particular wavelength Light from the LED 58 is filtered by the filters and/or 90 so that only a predetermined wave length of light radiated from the LED 130 1 561595 and reflected by the plate 70 along the carefully defined path impinges upon the most sensitive part of the photodetector 60.
Although two filters, 80 and 90 are shown in many cases it will be found that only one filter may be needed.
Light source 58 is mounted in frame 76 behind an aperture 78 in wall 68 Mounted in aperture 78 is the filter 80 formed of a material which is transparent to light emitted from light source 58 An 0-ring 82 seals the aperture Similarly, photodetector 60 is mounted in frame 84 behind aperture 86 in wall 66 Mounted in aperture 86 is a plate 88 formed of a material which is transparent to light emitted from light source 58 Positioned behind plate 88 is a filter 90 which, in the preferred form, filters all light waves except for a predetermined wave length which is passed to the photodetector Aperture 86 is sealed by O Lring 82 The sensing assembly also includes an electronic circuit which is activated by signals from the photodetector 60 which is part of the circuit The electronic components are mounted on circuit board 74 secured in housing 52 Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the electronic circuit which will be described in greater detail below.
As shown in Figures 7, when the hollow prism 62 in in an air environment the radiation path from the source S follows the path R P X, passing into the hollow body of the prism and through the plate 70 In an air environment the plate 70 is essentially transparent to the radiation generated by the source S The plate 70 being at an inclined angle, the waves when striking the plate 70 would be refracted slightly while passing through the plate The waves then continue slightly offset from the plane of the original path.
When the hollow bddy of the prism is filled with water the radiation path, as seen in Figure 8, follows the path R P 2 Radiation generated at source S passes through the plate 80 into the water environment, the radiant waves being refracted so that by refraction and reflection, via the prism 62 and plate 70, respectively the waves are directed to and through the plate 88.
In operation, when the electro-optic actuator is in an air environment (see Figure 7) light from the light source 58 is transmitted through plate 70 and does not reach the photodetector 60 When the actuator is immersed in water (see Figure 8) the water fills prism form 62 and light is refracted by the prism and reflected from the plate to the photodetector 60 The photodetector 60, being responsive to radiation of the wave length generated by the radiation generating source 58 produces a signal in response thereto which is processed in the electronic circuit and utilized in a manner to be described below to actuate a firing assembly 56 for effecting automatic release of the two-piece connector Essentially the electro-optic actuator serves as a switch 70 which is open when in an air environment and closed when the prism form 62 is filled with a liquid such as water.
The firing assembly 56 includes an electrically explosive device (EED), normally 75 referred to as a «squib» installed in a captive mount which forms a coaxial connector to the EED; to transfer an electric pulse to an internal bridge or detonation wire of the EED The EED includes a 80 case or housing, an explosive charge, a coaxial centre connector and a bridge wire connected to the case an dthe coaxial centre connector The high energy electric pulse generated in the electronic circuit is applied 85 to the internal detonation wire via the coaxial centre connector, the detonation wire being connected between the coaxial centre connector (which is insulated from the case) and the case, which serves as a connection 90 to the ground side of the circuit The electric pulse, when applied to the detonation wire, causes the wire to heat resulting in detonation of the explosive charge When the explosive charge is detonated the piston 95 moves in an axial direction cause the plunger to travel until the piston engages the shoulder of the housing.
The firing assembly 56 also includes a piston and a plunger which may be in 100 tegrated with the explosive device and inserted into a firing chamber or they may be separate parts The firing assembly is shown as including two concentric housings 92, 94 (Figure 4) held in housing 52 by a 105 threaded plug 53 (Figure 5 a) The first or lower housing 92 contains an explosive charge 96 which is detonated by an electrical signal from the electronic circuit shown in Figure 9 A membrane 98 is a dielectric 110 separator between the twos housings 92 and 94 Slidably mounted in the upper or second housing 94 is a piston 100 having a plunger 102 and a lower outwardly extending flange 104 which is engaged by 115 shoulder 106 when the piston is in its extended position (Figure 5) to retain the piston within the cylinder after firing A pin 108 is secured to cross-shaft 24 and extends upward through an opening in the 120 frame 16 adjacent lever arm 28 The pin has a head 110 which is positioned to, be engaged by the upper surface of piston 100.
Detonation of the explosive charge 96 produces an expansion of gases which 125 forces piston 100 upward contacting the tapered neck of head 110 Extension of the piston 100 drives the head 110 and pin 108 arcuate thereby producing a corresponding rotation of cross-shaft 24 (Figure 5) 130 1 561 595 without movement of yoke lever 26 Rotation of cross-shaft 24 by the travel of piston and consequent displacement of head and shaft 108 aligns the cut-out portions of the cross-shaft 24 with channels 22 releasing the prongs 12 of the harness.
The firing assembly is inserted into the housing 52 by insertion into the firing chamber formed by the housing 52 A threaded plug 53 is provided to close the firing chamber and secure the firing assembly After the EED has been fired the plug 53 may be removed and the spent charge, or the entire squib, may be removed and a new charge, or a new squib, may be inserted into the firing chamber In the preferred arrangement the firing assembly, including the case, the piston, the plunger, the explosive charge and the detonation means is provided as an integrated unit which is inserted into the firing chamber and secured by the threaded plug 53 It may, however, be preferred to separate the firing assembly into its individual parts so that the piston and plunger will be reusable and the explosive charge only need be replaced after firing Replacement of the spent charge or the spent squib makes the automatic release assembly reusable without replacement.
Electrical power for the electro-optic assembly is provided by batteries 112 held in battery compartment 114 which is slidably secured in the electro-optic assembly by screws or other suitable means As a further safety fetaure and to prevent unintended opening of the connector, electrical power for the electronic circuit board 74, light source 58 and photodetector 60 is established through arming sensor 116 coupled to a source of voltage and arming sensor 118 coupled to the electronic circuit, light source and photodetector Immersion of the assembly in water establishes a conducting path between the sensors completing the electrical circuit.
Although the preferred embodiment is illustrated as being battery operated it will be understood that a chargeable power-pack or capacitor may be used to provide electric power A power pack may require terminals which may connect into an exterior electrical system The power pack could be precharged or if the harness release were to be used in an aircraft, the power pack could be coupled to the electrical system of the aircraft A quick-release electric coupling could be used so that separation from the master electric system will be rapid.
Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown a schematic diagram of an electronic trigger circuit specifically arranged to respond to the incidence of light on the photosensitive device and produce an electrical control signal to detonate explosive charge 96 In Figure 9, the light source 58 is represented as a light-emitting diode also referred to by the reference LED; the photodetector 60 is represented by a phototransistor designated PD; and the explosive charge is designated 70 EED.
As shown in Figure 9, LED 58 and resistor R 1 are connected in series between arming sensor 118 and ground Positive potential is applied to the circuit through 75 arming sensor 116 and the conductive fluid coupling between sensors 116 and 118 A phototransistor, PD, having an electrical property which varies in response to the incidence of the radiation thereon, as is well 80 known in the art, is provided One terminal of the phototransistdr PD is coupled to the positive terminal of the voltage supply and the other terminal is coupled through resistor R 2 to ground, resistor R_ and photo 85 transistor PD) forming a voltage divider network The junction of phototransistor PD and resistor R 2 is coupled to the anode A of programmable unijunction transistor, PUT,, and the junction of resistor R% 3 and 90 capacitor Cl The gate, G of transistor PUT, is coupled to the juncton of voltage divider R 5 and R 14 and the cathode K of transistor PUT, is coupled to ground through a resistor R% The cathode of transistor PUT, 95 is also coupled to a timing network consisting of variable resistor R 6 and capacitor C 2 which controls the operation of a switching gate such as silicon controlled rectifier SCR,.
Specifically, the gate G of SCR 1 is coupled 100 to the junction of R, and Ca Resistor R 7 and capacitor CQ form a second timing network which is coupled between the output of the solicon controlled rectifier SCR, and ground The anode A of a second pro 105 grammable unijunction transistor, PUT 2 is coupled to the junction of resistor R 7 and capacitor C The gate G of the second unijunctional transistor PUT 2 is coupled to the junction of resistor R% and the anode of 110 diode D, The other terminal of resistor R, is coupled to the cathode K of silicon controlled rectifier SCR 1 The cathode K of the silicon controlled rectifier SCR, is also coupled to a third timing network con 115 sisting of variable resistor R%, and capacitor C 5 Resistor Ry, is coupled between the cathode of diode D, and ground The cathode K of transistor PUT 2 is coupled through resistor R, to ground and to the 120 anode of diode D, The cathode of diode D, is coupled to the gate circuit of a second selectively energisable switch such as SCR 2.
The anode A of SCR 2 is coupled to the junction of resistor R%, and capacitor Cs 125 The cathode K of SCR 2 is coupled to the electrically explosive charge EED which is detonated upon the application of electrical power Resistor R 12 is coupled across the explosive charge EED, and capacitor C 4 is 130 1 561 595 coupled between the gate of SCR 2 and ground.
In operation, when the trigger circuit is immersed in water, electrical power is applied to the circuit through sensors 116, 118 and light is transmitted from the LED, through the water filled prism 62 to the phototransistor PD Light produces a change in the electrical resistance of phototransistor PD which produces an increased current flow therethrough, raising the voltage at the anode A of transistor PUT 1 When the voltage at the anode of transistor PUT 1 reaches a predetermined threshold level, the transistor switches to an ON state and current flows through the transistor raising the voltage across resistor R 3 This voltage increase is transferred through timing network R 6 and C, to the gate G of silicon controlled rectifier SCR 1 After a first predetermined time interval established by the timing network R,, CQ, the silicon controlled rectifier SCR 1 is switched to its conducting state thereby energising stage two of the cascaded, time controlled trigger circuit.
Current flows through two networks, the first, consisting of surge resistor R 1, and CQ and the second consisting of R, and CQ.
During the time interval established by the R 7, C, network the capacitor CG is charged through R,1 Essentially the second network R 1,, C, of the second stage serves to charge the capacitor Cs for firing the explosive charge EED After a predetermined time interval established by R 7 and Q 3 the threshold voltage for the transistor PUT 2 is reached and current flows through that tranistor to the gate G of SCR 2 When SCR 2 switches to a conducting state, the charge built up and stored in capacitor CQ flows through SCR 2 to the EED causing a detonation wire 95 of the EED to heat up and detonate the explosive charge The EED’ piston ruptures the membrane 98 and forces pston 100 upward effecting release of the piston 100 upward effecting release of the harness The resistors R 6, R 7 and R,, are shown as adjustable to indicate that the timing may be adjusted.
Figure Sa illustrates one form of detonation system using the detonation wire 95.
A contact 93 in the base of case 92 is electrically insulated from the case and the detonation wire 95 is connected between the contact 93 and the case 92, the case 92 being connected to electrical ground Lead 105, also shown in Figure 9, connects to the electronic trigger circuit on the printed circuit board 74 The plug 53 has an insulating pad which holds the lead 105 connected to the contact 93.
The prism member of the present embodiment is shown as a hollow bodied prism which, when filled with air, is substantially void of prismatic functions with respect to the radiation generated by the radiation source Thus, creating a first path for the generated radiant waves When the hollow body of the prism is filled with water the prismatic functions, as respects the radia 70 tion generated by the radiation source, are expressed by refraction of the waves so that a second path for the generated radiant wave is created.
In the alternative, a solid body prism 75could be used in which the prismatic functions of the solid body prism, as respects the radiation, are expressed by refraction of the waves when the solid body prism is in an air environment When the solid 80 body prism is in a liquid environment, such as water, the prismatic functions would substantially cease, thus generating two path for the radiated waves, depending upon what environment the prism is located In 85 the case of a solid body prism either the radiation source or the radiation detection and response means would be repositioned, as compared with the illustrated positions.
Although the preferred embodiment pro 90 vides for a wire arrangement for detonating the explosive charge of the firing assembly an alternate arrangement may include a detlnation cap which may be electrically detonated The detonation cap could be 95 held in place by the threaded plug, holding the cap securely against or in the base of the explosive charge An insulated lead in the thread plug may be connected to the circuit carrying the electric pulse, such lead 100 making contact with an insulated terminal in the cap, the case of the cap being connected to earth.

Claims (6)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1 A connector including a male member 105 having a rearward end adapted to engage a harness strap and a forward end having connector prongs extending forwardly thereof, a female member having a rearward end adapted to engage a harness strap and 110 a forward end having prong receiving channels for receiving said connector prongs, a release assembly including a crossshaft mounted in said female member to intersect said receiving channels, said cross 115 shaft having cut out portions in said receiving channels and being arranged when in a first position to secure said male connector prongs in said channels and in a second position td, release said prongs, 120 a pin member mounted on said crossshaft for forcibly rotating said cross-shaft from said first position to said second position when driven by a force, an explosive device, including a detona 125 tion means, mounted in said female member for providing an explosive force upon being detonated by said detonation means, piston means slidably mounted in said female member and arranged to receive said 130 1 561 595 explosive force upon detonation of said explosive device and to exert a driving force on said pin member in response to said explosive force, therey forcibly rotating said cross-shaft to said second position, an electro-optic actuator assembly mounted on said female member for detonating said detonation means, said actuator assembly including a source of power, a light source driven by said source of power and positioned at one end of a light transmission path, means responsive to light from said light source at the opposite end of said transmission path, said light transmission path including prism means responsive to the presence of a liquid to direct light from said source along said light transmission path to said means responsive to light when said prism means is in a liquid environment and to divert said light away from said means responsive to light, when out of said liquid environment, and means coupled to said light responsive means, to said power supply and to said detonation means for detonating said detonation means in response to the incidence of light on said light responsive means.

2 A connector in accordance with claim 1 in which said prism means includes a prism chamber adapted to be filled with liquid for directing said light along said transmission path to said means responsive to light only when said prism chamber is 35 filled with liquid.

3 A connector in accordance with claim 1 or 2 and further including arming sensor means coupled between said power supply and said actuator assembly for maintaining 40 said actuator assembly in an inactive state until said arming sensor means enters a liquid environment.

4 A harness in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3 and further including 45 a reldadable chamber for receiving said explosive device and removable plug means arranged removably to secure said explosive device in said reloadable chamber and to permit access to said reloadable chamber, 50 when said removable plug is removed, for removal of a discharged said explosive device and for reloading of said chamber.

A connector substantially as hereinbef Ore described with reference to the 55 accompanying drawings.

6 A harness including a connector according to any one of the preceding claims, one strap end of the harness being attached to the male member and another 60 strap end being attached to the female member.
A A THORNTON & CO, Chartered Patent Agents, Northumberland House, 303/306 High Holborn, London, WC 1 V 7 LE.
Printed for Her Majesty’s Stationery Office by The Tweeddale Press Ltd, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1980 Published at the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC 2 A l AY, from which copies may be obtained

GB42755/76A
1975-10-14
1976-10-14
Automatic harness release assembly

Expired

GB1561595A
(en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

US05/621,925

US3994049A
(en)

1975-10-14
1975-10-14
Automatic harness release assembly

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GB1561595A
true

GB1561595A
(en)

1980-02-27

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Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

GB42755/76A
Expired

GB1561595A
(en)

1975-10-14
1976-10-14
Automatic harness release assembly

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US3994049A
(en)

CA
(1)

CA1061086A
(en)

GB
(1)

GB1561595A
(en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

US4095313A
(en)

1976-12-17
1978-06-20
H. Koch & Sons
Gas operated automatic canopy release

US4237586A
(en)

1977-10-21
1980-12-09
Nsk-Warner K.K.
Buckle device for safety belt

DE3040134A1
(en)

1980-10-24
1982-07-22
Autoflug Gmbh, 2084 Rellingen

RELEASE DEVICE FOR PARACHUTE BELTS

US4597033A
(en)

1983-05-17
1986-06-24
Gulf & Western Manufacturing Co.
Flexible elongated lighting system

US4521835A
(en)

1983-05-17
1985-06-04
Gulf & Western
Flexible elongated lighting system

FR2567822B1
(en)

1984-07-17
1986-12-26
Marchal Equip Auto

SEAT BELT BUCKLE DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC RELEASE, PARTICULARLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE

US4703280A
(en)

1985-08-30
1987-10-27
Conax Florida Corporation
Fluid conductivity sensor controlling an electro explosive device

US5857246A
(en)

1995-06-06
1999-01-12
Stratus Systems, Inc.
Liquid activated buckle release mechanism

US8272598B2
(en)

2010-01-25
2012-09-25
Eads Deutschland Gmbh
Load disconnection lock

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

US3624674A
(en)

1969-12-15
1971-11-30
Global Systems
Releasing device for strap connectors

US3766611A
(en)

1972-03-15
1973-10-23
Koch & Sons Inc H
Locking lever release for strap connector

1975

1975-10-14
US
US05/621,925
patent/US3994049A/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1976

1976-09-27
CA
CA262,136A
patent/CA1061086A/en
not_active
Expired

1976-10-14
GB
GB42755/76A
patent/GB1561595A/en
not_active
Expired

Also Published As

Publication number
Publication date

CA1061086A
(en)

1979-08-28

US3994049A
(en)

1976-11-30

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