Internal ejector mechanism for stacked sequentially releasable separable units

Abstract

Abstract An internal ejector mechanism for releasably fastening stacked and sequentially separable units to a carrier unit. The carrier unit contains a mounting bracket or lug having a plurality of latching balls radially movable through its cylindrical walls. When the balls are urged outwardly by a ball retention plunger they fit within a groove in the ejector housing in the separable unit to lock it to the carrier unit. A cartridge actuated piston in the separable unit moves the ball retention plunger to permit inward movement of the balls, freeing the ejector housing and releasing the separable unit. The stacked separable units are interchangeable and provide for sequential release starting with the outermost unit. Each separable unit has a threaded cavity liner in which a disposable ejector fits. The ejector consists of a cylinder threaded into the liner, an ejector piston movable within the cylinder, an explosive cartridge, a plunger actuator and cartridge cap with electrical contacts. Each separable unit has at its outer, lower or other end to which an additional unit may be attached a further locking arrangement to prevent piston movement within the cylinder when such additional unit is attached. This locking arrangement also includes locking balls between a lower lug threaded into the cylinder and the movable piston within the cylinder. A plunger within the lug keeps the balls moved outwardly into the cylinder grooves until the plunger is moved upwardly by the separation of the outermost separable unit. Thus, release of the outermost separable unit releases the piston in the innermost separable unit for movement and subsequent release of the innermost separable unit.

Inventors

• 👤 T Jakubowski

Bibliographic Details