A releasable support device is described which is comprised of a hollow body with a sleeve extending transversely there-through for receiving the end of a support shank. A slider-latch, optionally lubricated, extends through side recesses in the sleeve to straddle the shank, respectively, in latched and released positions. The slider-latch is slid from its latched to its unlatched position by a pressure squib whereupon a spring or other pressure means pushes the shank out of the sleeve. At the same time, a follower element is lodged in and closed the hole in the body wall from which the shank was discharged. The mechanism was designed for the shuttle orbiter/external tank connection device

Bunker, J. W.

Ritchie, R. S.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

United States Patent 1193 
Bunker et al. 
[i  I] Patent Number: 4,512,678 
[45] Date of Patent: Apr. 23, 1985 
[54] SLIDE RELEASE MECHANISM 
[75] Inventors: James W. Bunker, Canyon Country; 
Robert S. Ritchie, Valencia, both of 
Calif. 
represented by the Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, Washington, D.C. 
[73] Assignee: The United States of America as 
[21] Appl. No.: 393,584 
[22] Filed: Jun. 30, 1982 
[51] 
[52] 
Int. C1.3 ................................................ F16B 1/00 
U.S. C1. ........................................ 403/15; 403/16; 
43/32? 89A.57 
89A.5 F, 1 B 
[58] Field of Search ........................... 43/15, 16, 322; 
[561 References Cited 
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
2,161,082 6/1939 Ovtschinnikoff .................. 89/1.5 F 
2,346,494 4/1944 Leland ............................... 89/13 F 
2,585,870 2/1952 Spielman ............................ 89/1.5 F 
2,732,765 1/1956 Boyd .................................. 89/1.5F 
2,485,921 10/1949 Rockwell ....................... 89/15 F X 
2,750,842 6/1956 Myers ................................. 89/1.5 F 
3,071,404 1/1963 Van Hove ........................ 403/11 X 
3,084,597 4/1963 Beyer ................................ 403/15 X 
3,200,706 8/1965 Kinard ........................... 89/1.5 F X 
3,261,261 7/1966 Brown ........................... 89/1.5 F X 
Primary Examiner-Andrew V. Kundrat 
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Russell E. Schlorff; John R. 
Manning; Marvin F. Matthews 
1571 ABSTRACT 
A releasable support device comprising a hollow body 
(A) with a sleeve (B) extending transversely there- 
through for receiving the end of a support shank (E). A 
slider-latch (C), optionally lubricated, extends through 
side recesses (23) in the sleeve to straddle the shank, 
respectively, in latched and released positions. The 
slider-latch is slid from its latched to its unlatched posi- 
tion by a pressure squib (10) whereupon a spring (24) or 
other pressure means pushes the shank out of the sleeve. 
At the same time, a follower element (D) is lodged in 
and closes the hole in the body wall from which the 
shank was discharged. 
7 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19850022022 2020-03-22T19:34:27+00:00Z
U.S. Patent Apr. 23,1985 Sheet 1 of 3 4,512,678 
FIG. 2 
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I5 
I 
14 
FIG.ZA 
US. Patent Apr. 23,1985 
FIG. 3 B 
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28 
FIG.4 
Sheet 2 of 3 4,5 12,678 
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1 I ,  1 34 
FIG.3A B 
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2 
28 
FIG.4A 
FIG.45 
3 0  
U.S. Patent Apr. 23,1985 Sheet 3 of 3 4,512,678 
22 
FIG.5 22 
22 
I / E  
FIG. 5 A  
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20 
FIG.6 
20 
7 
33 
33 
’ FIG 33 ,6A 
4,512,678 
1 
SLIDE RELEASE MECHANISM 
DESCRIPTION 
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION 
The invention described herein was made in the per- 
formance of work under a NASA contract and is sub- 
ject to the provisions of section 305 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (72 stat. 435, USC 
2457). 
TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to devices for releasing or dis- 
connecting a load carried, for instance, by an aircraft or 
other space vehicle. 
BACKGROUND O F  THE INVENTION 
The Space Shuttle Orbiter vehicle of NASA is at- 
tached to an external tank at three points by means of a 
forward spherical or monoball joint incorporating a 
separation or shear bolt and two aft, frangible nuts. The 
shank of the shear bolt is severed by an explosive force 
co-axial with the load and on the order of 60,000 psi, 
since the severable section must carry the intended load. 
The total release force of some 235,000 pounds applies 
a severe shock to the vehicle and deforms the release 
device so as to prevent reuse. 
The prior art has suggested explosive disconnect 
devices acting transversely of the load-carrying shank 
or other element. Such devices are disclosed in the 
following U.S. Pat. Nos.: Myers 2,750,842, Van Hoye 
3,071,404, Kinard 3,200,706, Brown 3,261,261, Rock- 
well 2,485,921, and Beyer 3,084,597. However, these, 
generally, are complicated, incorporating multiple ele- 
ments to effect the disconnect, and neither these or any 
prior art known to applicant contemplates a pressured 
follower member for closing an opening through which 
the disconnected load-carrying part is discharged. 
THE PRESENT INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, there is 
provided a hollow, rectangular body having aligned 
apertures in opposite walls through which a guide 
sleeve extends. An end of the load-carrying shank slid- 
ably extends partially into the sleeve. Slidable in the 
body transversely of the shank is a lubricated slider- 
latch including a keyhole shaped orifice or cutout in- 
cluding a release portion and space-apart latching-rail 
portions straddling the shank and, normally, received in 
laterally opposite recesses in the sleeve and adjacent 
grooves in the shank for supporting and disconnecting 
the load. 
A pressure source or squib mounted in the body actu- 
ates a piston and rod in alignment with an end of the 
slider so that when the release is initiated the slider- 
latch is actuated to release the shank from the rail por- 
tions of the slider-latch and position the release orifice 
portion about the shank. Thereupon, a compression 
spring and plunger eject the shank from the sleeve and, 
with it, move a follower into the open end of the sleeve 
where it lodges against spaced shoulders to close the 
opening. An attenuator on the end of the slider strikes 
an end plate on the body to protect the slider from 
damage. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS O F  THE FIGURES 
In the accompanying drawings, 
2 
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the slide release device 
FIGS. 2 and 2a are a plan view and a longitudinal 
FIGS. 3 and 30 are longitudinal center sections of the 
FIGS. 4 and 40 are a plan view and center longitudi- 
FIG. 46 is a center section through the slider attenua- 
assembled and in normal latched relationship. 
center section through the body. 
sleeve part at 90" to each other. 
nal section, respectively, of the slider-latch part. 
5 
10 tor. 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
40 
45 
50 
55 
60 
65 
FIGS. 5 and 5a are side views at 90" of the load sup- 
FIGS. 6 and 6a are side and end views of the fol- 
porting, disconnectable shank. 
lower. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED 
EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIG. 1, the slide release mechanism 
of the present invention is shown attached to a spherical 
bearing fitting F of the Space Shuttle Orbiter (not 
shown). Extending through a stepped axial bore 37 in 
the spherical bearing is a load-carrying member E 
which is the forward attachment means extending from 
the external tank (not shown). The releasable support 
device replaces the explosive shear bolt to provide for 
release of the load carrying member during separation 
of the external tank from the Space Shuttle Orbiter. 
The slider release mechanism is comprised essentially 
of a box shaped body A (FIGS. 2 and 2 4 ,  a guide sleeve 
B (FIGS. 3 and 3a), a slider-latch C (FIGS. 4 and 4u) 
and a follower D (FIGS. 6 and 6a). As previously men- 
tioned, slider release mechanism is engaged with the 
load carrying member E (FIGS. 5 and 5a) which forms 
the forward attachment means for the external tank. 
The slider release mechanism is attached to the spher- 
ical bearing fitting F by engagement of the male threads 
at the end of guide sleeve B with the female threads in 
stepped axial bore 37 which extends through the spheri- 
cal bearing. The juncture of the female threaded portion 
and the reduced portion of bore 37 forms an arresting 
member 35 the purpose of which will be explained sub- 
sequently. 
The box-shaped body A is generally in the shape of a 
rectangle having an internal cavity for receiving slider- 
latch C. One end of the body is closed and the other end 
is initially open. The closed end of body A is provided 
with a stepped axial bore communicating with the inter- 
nal cavity. The enlarged outer end 6 of the axial bore is 
provided with internal threads which threadingly re- 
ceive the external threads of a cylinder 5. Located in a 
chamber of cylinder 5, is a piston 7, one end having a 
stem 8 projecting through the small portion of the axial 
bore to contact the end of slider-latch C,  the other end 
being exposed to a manifold 10 which receives the force 
of an actuating charge or other pressure. The open end 
of body A may be closed by any conventional removea- 
ble end closure means, such as end plate 11 and end 
cover 12. A threaded member 13 extends through 
aligned bores in end plate 11 and ears 12a of end cover 
12. The narrow edge wall of body A is provided with 
recesses 14 to receive resilient fingers on the ends of 
plate 11 as is well known in the art. 
The slide walls of body A are provided with a pair of 
transversely aligned apertures 15-15, one of which has 
an enlarged counter bore. By means of apertures 
15-15, the body A is telescoped over the cylindrical 
portion of guide sleeve B unit1 the counter bore is en- 
gaged with an enlarged intermediate collar 16 on guide 
4,5 12,678 
3 4 
sleeve B. By threaded engagement 17 of the external 24 acting on follower 20. The slider C is secured by 
threads of guide sleeve B with the internal threads of a shear pin 7a forming the basic load carrying and load 
cup-like spring cover 18 the body A is retained in posi- releasing means. The open end of body A is closed by 
tion. Within the cover 18 is a compression spring 24 plate 11 and cover 12. The attenuator 30 being made of 
surrounding rod portion 19 of follower D. An enlarged 5 aluminum or other frangible material minimizes dam- 
plunger portion 20 of follower B is located in an axial ages to the slider-latch C and permits reuseability of the 
internal bore of guide sleeve B and is in contact the end slider-release mechanism. 
portion 21 of load carrying member E. The plunger 
Operation portion 20 of follower D has a pair of diametrically 
opposed lugs 33-33 which in the assembled position 10 When it is desired to disconnect the load carrying 
(FIG. 1) are positioned in longitudinal keyways 34-34 member B, chamber 10 is pressurized by an activating 
extending the length of the internal bore of sleeve B. charge or other pressure means. The resultant force 
The lugs 33-33 are so positioned with relation to the moves piston 7 with sufficient energy to break shear pin 
face of plunger 20 that when movement of plunger 20 is 7a and move lubricated slider-latch C .  Such movement 
arrested by lugs 33-33 striking abutment 35 the face of 15 drives slider rails 28 out of slots 22 aligning the circular 
plunger 20 will fill the void left by load carrying mem- portion 26 of the keyhole slot in slider C with end por- 
ber E exiting spherical bearing fitting F and outer face tion 21 of load carrying member E. The slight angle 
of plunger 20 will be flush with the outer face of spheri- between the slider rails 28 and mating wall of slots 22 
cal bearing fitting F to provide a smooth outer mold line proportionally relieves the load as the activation pres- 
for the Shuttle. 20 sure drops, thereby assuring complete release without 
Sleeve B has a pair of cutout portions 23-23 which exessive pressure and low terminal velocity of slider 
in effect form web portions 25-25. Plate-like slider- latch C which can be absorbed by the attenuator 30 
latch C has a keyhole shaped cutout including a large facilitating reuse. Circular portion 26 allows passage of 
circular end portion 26 sized for passage of end portion end portion 21 and the release of load carrying member 
21 of member E and a slot 27 edged by a pair of spaced 25 E. Preloaded compression spring 24 acting upon fol- 
slider rails 28. Slot 27 is sized to cooperate with web lower D will cause the follower to move along the 
portions 25-25 of sleeve B. In the latched position internal bore of sleeve B until lugs 33 on plunger 20 are 
(FIG. 1). the slider-latch C ,  normally lubricated with a arrested by stop 35 at which time the face of plunger 20 
dry lubricant, straddles the end portion 21 of shank E will be aligned with the outer face of fitting F. 
with rails 28 received in sleeve recesses 23 and shank 30 The entire load carrying member E being highly 
slots 22 of load carrying member E. stressed, must be constructed of high strength material. 
The faces of slider rails 28 frictionally engageable The latching rails of slider, one face of the body, and a 
with the mating surfaces of slots 22 are inclined at 2" small section of the sleeve are also highly stressed and 
ramp angle to the opposite faces of the rails normal to need be constructed of high strength material. However 
the axis of sleeve B, Le., below the coefficient of friction 35 the majority of the body can be of inexpensive, light 
so that the mechanism does not tend to separate under weight aluminum with saving in cost and weight. The 
normal load. The angle is adjusted relative to the shank shank, sleeve, slider-latch, and one face of the body may 
diameter and tension so that at approximately 60% of be constructed of more rugged material, such as inco- 
the slider stroke, the tension is completely removed nel. The plate and cover at the lower end of the body 
providing the following advantages: 40 are readily removable for replacement of the deformed 
attenuator-bumper, for reuse of the device. 1. Large areas carry the tensile load. 
2. The friction load decreases as the pressurized We claim: 
3. There is complete shank relaxation of the load 
4. There is no appreciable wear or brinelling. 
chamber volume increases. 
carrying member prior to release. 
1. A releasable support device comprising a body 
having an opening in a wall thereof, a load-carrying 
45 part extending through said opening into said body, a 
latch part slidable in said body, said load-carrying and 
latch parts having cooperating elements for, respec- 
tively, latching and releasing said load-carrying part as 
In order to assemble the parts, an aluminum attenua- said latch part is shifted, means to shift said latch part, 
tor 30 is slipped loosely over the end of slider C with 50 and means actuable as said load-carrying part is released 
inwardly directed fingers 38 of attenuator 30 (FIG. 46) to close said body opening, said means actuable also 
engaging notches 36 in the end of slider latch C .  The includes a portion following said load-carrying part for 
assembly of slider latch C with attenuator 30 attached is closing said body opening as said load-carrying part is 
then slipped loosely into the open end of body A far expulsed from said body. 
enough to capture the attenuator. The circular portion 55 2. A reuseable slider release machanism for latching 
26 of the keyhole slot of slider C is aligned with the and releasing a load carrying member which has a pair 
bores 15-15 of body A and sleeve B, which is secured of diametrically opposed slots, said slider release mech- 
to spherical bearing fitting F by threaded engagement, anism comprising a guide sleeve for slidingly receiving 
is loosely slipped through the bores until threaded en- the load carrying member, a slider latch member ex- 
gagement collar 16 is positioned in the counterbore of 60 tending transversely of the guide sleeve, the slider latch 
aperture 15. By rotating sleeve B until webs 25 line up member having a keyhole slot, the circular portion of 
with slider slot 27, slider C can be moved farther into the keyhole slot sized to permit passage of the load 
body A capturing sleeve B. carrying member, the leg portion of the keyhole having 
The load carrying number E can then be slipped into a pair of slider rails, the slot and rails sized to cooperate 
the bore of sleeve B and the slider driven home to the 65 with the diametrically opposed slots of the load carry- 
position shown in FIG. 1 with slots 22 of shank E ing member to entrap the load carrying member, the 
latched against slider rails 28 of slider latch C and firmly mating surfaces of the slider rails engaging the load 
held there by the force of preloaded compression spring member slots having a ramp angle below the coefficient 
Assembly 
4.5 12,678 ~ 7 -  
5 
of friction whereby friction during relative movement 
of the slider latch member to the mating surface of the 
slots is decreased, actuator means to move the slider 
latch member transversely to align the circular portion 
of the keyhole slot with the load carrying member re- 
leasing the load carrying member and preloaded force 
means axially aft of guide sleeve for driving the released 
load carrying member out of said sleeve member. 
3. The reuseable slider release mechanism set forth in 
claim 2 including a box like body encompassing the 
slider release mechanism, the body having a closed end 
containing the actuating means, the opposite end having 
a removeable closure, the slider latch member having 
an attenuator on the removeable closure end. 
6 
4. The reuseable slider release mechanism set forth in 
claim 2 including the preloaded force means having 
follower means for closing the outer and of the guide 
sleeve. 
5. The reuseable slider release mechanism set forth in 
claim 4 in which the follower means includes a spring 
driven piston. 
6.  The reuseable slider release mechanism set forth in 
claim 5 in which the guide sleeve has an axially extend- 
10 ing keyway and the piston has a lug cooperating with 
the keyway and means to arrest outward movement of 
the piston. 
7. The reuseable slider release mechanism set forth in 
claim 3 including follower means for closing the outer 
5 
15 end of the guide sleeve. 
* * * * *  
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Slide release mechanism

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