US3813984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separation nut
Assignee: Hi Shear Corp
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Filing: 1972-07-12
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A separation nut wherein a segmented, internally threaded nut is releasable from a mating threaded male element, such as a stud or bolt as a consequence of fluid pressure applied to the separation nut. The nut includes a plurality of nut segments which are grouped around a central axis of joinder, and which are held in position to receive the male threaded element by a pair of axially shiftable latch members which are movable in opposite directions relative to each other for unlatching the segments and enabling them to be released from the threaded element. The latch members are actuated by substantially equal and opposite forces, whereby a minimum of unbalanced force is applied to surrounding structures by the separation forces. Optionally, a sequentially operating expulsion device may be provided in the separation nut to eject the threaded element after unlatching has taken place.
Inventors
- 👤 E Selinder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B37/00; F16B37/08; F16B37/0807; F16B37/0864; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/89
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
295 words
A separation nut having an axis of joinder, comprising: a body having an inner wall defining a cavity; a plurality of nut segments in said cavity and grouped around said axis of joinder; an inner surface and an outer surface on each segment; a thread fragment on each nut segment, the fragments all comprising a part of a reference thread, whereby when the nut segments are grouped around the axis of joinder, their tread segments lie on the path of said reference thread, each segment extending for no more than 180* around said axis; a pair of latch surfaces on the outer surface of each of said segment; a release recess lying between the latch surfaces of each segment, the release recess having a bottom which lies closer to the axis than the latch surfaces on the respective segment; a pair of separate latch members in said cavity between said inner wall and the outer surfaces of said segments; a latch surface on each of said latch members, each of said latch members being axially slidable between a latched position in which its respective latch surfaces bear against a respective latch surface of a segment, and a released position in which the latch surface of the latch member overhangs the release recess; chamber means in said body in which a portion of each of said latch members makes a sliding fluid sealing fit; pressure passage means entering the chamber means so as to communicate with oppositely facing faces of the latch members, whereby introduction of fluid under sufficient pressure in the said chamber means will simultaneously move the latch members in opposite axiaL directions from their latched to their released position, the cross-section area of the latch members exposed to said fluid being substantially equal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
295 words
A separation nut having an axis of joinder, comprising: a body having an inner wall defining a cavity; a plurality of nut segments in said cavity and grouped around said axis of joinder; an inner surface and an outer surface on each segment; a thread fragment on each nut segment, the fragments all comprising a part of a reference thread, whereby when the nut segments are grouped around the axis of joinder, their tread segments lie on the path of said reference thread, each segment extending for no more than 180* around said axis; a pair of latch surfaces on the outer surface of each of said segment; a release recess lying between the latch surfaces of each segment, the release recess having a bottom which lies closer to the axis than the latch surfaces on the respective segment; a pair of separate latch members in said cavity between said inner wall and the outer surfaces of said segments; a latch surface on each of said latch members, each of said latch members being axially slidable between a latched position in which its respective latch surfaces bear against a respective latch surface of a segment, and a released position in which the latch surface of the latch member overhangs the release recess; chamber means in said body in which a portion of each of said latch members makes a sliding fluid sealing fit; pressure passage means entering the chamber means so as to communicate with oppositely facing faces of the latch members, whereby introduction of fluid under sufficient pressure in the said chamber means will simultaneously move the latch members in opposite axiaL directions from their latched to their released position, the cross-section area of the latch members exposed to said fluid being substantially equal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A separation nut according to claim 1 in which the latch members are both continuous rings, and in which the chamber means is annular, the latch members carrying sliding seals which contact the latch members and the body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A separation nut according to claim 1 in which the chamber means is bounded by concentric cylindrical cylinders, the latch members being ring-shaped and carrying fluid sealing sliding seals in contiguous sliding contact with the aforesaid cylinders.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A separation nut according to claim 1 in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall and in which yieldable retainer means carried by the latch members yieldingly holds the latch members in their latched position by engagement in a respective retention groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A separation nut according to the claim 4 in which the retainer means comprises snap rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A separation nut according to claim 1 in which expander means is fitted inside the grouped segments, bearing against the same and tending to bias them to a radially outer position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A separation nut according to claim 6 in which said expander means comprises a coil spring whose diameter when the spring is free and uncompressed is greater than that which it assumes when the segments are grouped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A separation nut according to claim 1 in which spline means is formed on the body engageable with notch means in the nut segments to hold them angularly relative to one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A separation nut according to claim 1 in which expulsion means is provided in the body in axial alignment with the axis of joinder and opening into said cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
Separation nut according to claim 9 in which the separation means comprises a cylinder formed in the body, a plunger slidable in said cylinder, and passage means so disposed and arranged as to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure only after the latch members have moved from a latched position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A separation nut according to claim 6 in which spline means is formed on the body engageable with notch means in the nut segments to hold them angularly relative to one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A separation nut according to claim 11 in which expulsion means is provided in the body in axial alignment with the axis of joinder and opening into said cavity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A separation nut according to claim 12 in which the separation means comprises a cylinder formed in the body, a plunger slidable in said cylinder, and passage means so disposed and arranged as to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure only after the latch members have moved from a latched position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A separation nut according to claim 13 in which the latch members are both continuous rings, and in which the chamber means is annular, the latch members carrying sliding seals which contact the latch members and the body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A separation nut according to claim 14 in which the chamber means is bounded by concentric cylindrical cylinders, the latch members being ring-shaped and carrying fluid sealing sliding seals in contiguous sliding contact with the aforesaid cylinders.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A separation nut according to claim 15 in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall and in which yieldable retainer means carried by the latch members yieldingly holds the latch members in their latched position by engagement in a respective retention groove.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
A separation nut according to claim 1 in which said chamber means comprises a pair of chambers, one disposed adjacent to each of the farthest apart ends of the latch members, and in which said pressure passage means enters each of said chambers whereby to introduce fluid under pressure substantially simultaneously to both chambers, and to move the latch members toward one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A separation nut according to claim 17 in which the latch members are both continuous rings, And in which the chamber means is annular, the latch members carrying sliding seals which contact the latch members and the body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A separation nut according to claim 17 in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall and in which yieldable retainer means carried by the latch members yieldingly holds the latch members in their latched position by engagement in a respective retention groove.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A separation nut according to claim 17 in which expander means is fitted inside the grouped segments, bearing against the same and tending to bias them to a radially outer position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
A separation nut according to claim 20 in which said expander means comprises a coil spring whose diameter when the spring is free and uncompressed is greater than that which it assumes when the segments are grouped.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A separation nut according to claim 17 in which expulsion means is provided in the body in axial alignment with the axis of joinder and opening into said cavity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
A separation nut according to claim 22 in which the separation means comprises a cylinder formed in the body, a plunger slidable in said cylinder, and passage means so disposed and arranged as to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure only after the latch members have moved from a latched position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |