Patent US4685376A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4685376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separation system
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1985-06-24
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Granted: 1987-08-11
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Expires: 2005-06-24
Abstract
Abstract An explosively operated, confined linear explosive separation joint. The joint features a one-piece female member of a clevis type shape with shear lip grooves located on the outside surface of the clevis generally aligned with the fillet formed between the sidewall and the bottom of the opening in the clevis. The explosive means is contained in the bottom of the clevis portion with the male portion of the joint slideably nested in the clevis opening abutting the explosive. Shear lip groove alignment with the corner radius or fillet formed at the bottom of the clevis and the stiffer structure adjacent to the break point combine to ensure optimum use of the explosive energy and produce a joint which fails primarily in shear rather than tension, taking advantage of the materials weakest property.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincent R. Noel
- 👤 Fred B. Van Shoubrouek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:57
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B15/00; F42B15/36; F42B15/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An explosively operated linear separation joint for structurally joining and separating first and second contiguous sections, comprising: a female member having opposing flanges with an opening portion therebetween so as to form a clevis shape having two opposite outside flange surfaces and two opposing inside flange surfaces and a bottom surface, the intersection of said inside flange surfaces and said bottom surface forming a moderately sharp fillet at the line of intersection; shear lip grooves located in said outside flange surfaces so as to form a line of fracture; explosive means contained in said opening portion of said female member; a male member sized to slidably nest within said opening in said female member and against said explosive means; and means to attach said male member to said female member spaced from said line of fracture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An explosively operated linear separation joint for structurally joining and separating first and second contiguous sections, comprising: a female member having opposing flanges with an opening portion therebetween so as to form a clevis shape having two opposite outside flange surfaces and two opposing inside flange surfaces and a bottom surface, the intersection of said inside flange surfaces and said bottom surface forming a moderately sharp fillet at the line of intersection; shear lip grooves located in said outside flange surfaces so as to form a line of fracture; explosive means contained in said opening portion of said female member; a male member sized to slidably nest within said opening in said female member and against said explosive means; and means to attach said male member to said female member spaced from said line of fracture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The explosively operated linear separation joint of claim 1 wherein said shear lip grooves located in said outside flange surfaces are generally opposite and in line with said fillets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The explosively operated linear separation joint of claim 1 wherein said female member is a one-piece extrusion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The explosively operated linear separation joint of claim 1 Wherein said female member is a one-piece forging.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The explosively operated linear separation joint of claim 1 wherein said explosive means is at least one linear explosive contained in an elastomer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The explosively operated linear separation joint of claim 1 wherein said explosive means is at least one linear explosive contained in an elastomer and surrounded with a metal tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
An explosively operated linear separation joint for structurally joining and separating first and second contiguous sections, comprising: a female member having opposing flanges with an opening portion therebetween so as to form a clevis shape having two opposite outside flange surfaces and two opposing inside flange surfaces and a bottom surface, the intersection of said inside flange surfaces and said bottom surface forming a fillet at the line of intersection; shear lip grooves located in said outside flange surfaces generally opposite and in-line with said fillets; explosive means contained in said opening portion of said female member; a male member sized to slidably nest within said opening in said female member and against said explosive means; and means to attach said male member to said female member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
An explosively operated linear separation joint for structurally joining and separating first and second contiguous sections, comprising: a female member having opposing flanges with an opening portion therebetween so as to form a clevis shape having two opposite outside flange surfaces and two opposing inside flange surfaces and a bottom surface, the intersection of said inside flange surfaces and said bottom surface forming a fillet at the line of intersection; shear lip grooves located in said outside flange surfaces generally opposite and in-line with said fillets; explosive means contained in said opening portion of said female member; a male member sized to slidably nest within said opening in said female member and against said explosive means; and means to attach said male member to said female member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-10 | 1991-02-09 | 1991-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-10 | 1995-02-09 | 1995-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-10 | 1999-02-09 | 1999-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |