US 12,338,846 B2
Reusable, low-shock hold and release device
Jacques Sicre, Toulouse (FR)
Assigned to Centre National d'Études Spatiales CNES, Paris (FR)
Filed by Centre National d'Études Spatiales CNES, Paris (FR)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/967,274.
Application 17/967,274 is a continuation of application No. PCT/FR2021/050668, filed on Apr. 15, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 20/03837 (FR), filed on Apr. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0037250 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B64G 1/64 (2006.01); F16B 2/12 (2006.01); B64G 1/22 (2006.01)
CPC F16B 2/12 (2013.01) [B64G 1/2222 (2023.08); B64G 1/2228 (2023.08); B64G 1/6457 (2023.08); F16B 2200/77 (2023.08)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A reusable device for holding and releasing a transmission bar, the device comprising:
a tightening component;
a hold and release component; and
at least one loosening component, wherein
the hold and release component comprises a plurality of segments, wherein:
at least two segments of the plurality of segments each comprises a first bearing surface configured to bear on a part of the transmission bar, so that the part of the transmission bar is held pressed between and/or in bearing on the first bearing surface of the at least two segments when the plurality of segments is in a holding configuration under an effect of a tightening pressure generated by the tightening component,
at least two other segments of the plurality of segments each comprises a second bearing surface configured to bear on one end of the at least one loosening component,
each segment of the at least two other segments can also be a segment of the at least two segments, and
the at least one loosening component is made of a first single-acting shape memory material, the first material is configured so that, from a transition temperature, each end of the at least one loosening component exerts, on the second bearing surface of each segment of the at least two other segments, a loosening pressure, wherein the loosening pressure compensates for the tightening pressure generated by the tightening component, by deforming the tightening component, so as to place the plurality of segments of the hold and release component in a release configuration, in which the part of the transmission bar is released.