US 12,442,404 B1
Pressure differential fastener release mechanism
Jason S. Boxerman, Panama City, FL (US)
Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
Filed by United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Oct. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/514,045.
Int. Cl. F16B 31/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16B 31/021 (2013.01) [F16B 2200/63 (2023.08); Y10T 403/1633 (2015.01); Y10T 403/22 (2015.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fastener release mechanism for releasably securing a first part to a second part, comprising:
a shank section of a fastener configured to pass through a bore in said first part and mate with said second part, said shank section having an outer surface and a sealed, airtight cavity disposed therein, said sealed cavity having a first pressure within it;
a head section of said fastener radially-extending from a distal end of said shank section, said cavity extending through said head section with a plug disposed therein sealing said cavity, said head section having a lower surface for abutting said first part with at least one passage disposed therein radially-extending between an outer surface of said head section and said outer surface of said shank section, said at least one passage providing access for a fluid surrounding said fastener to surround said outer surface of said shank section within said bore, said fluid having a second ambient pressure; and
a fracture seam disposed on said outer surface of said shank section within said bore, said fracture seam designed to cause said shank section to fracture when a pressure differential between said second ambient pressure and said first pressure within said cavity exceeds a design pressure differential, releasing said first part from said second part.