On the Improvement of Miniature Pyrotechnic Devices for Space Application

摘要

Two basic actuators were designed, the bellows and the piston, which, having a size similar to or less than those available at that time, withstood temperatures up to 150 C and had work outputs considerably in excess of the then current designs. Additional requirements were that there be virtually no escapes of gas on operation, that they should be demonstrably hermetically sealed and that they should have a long storage life. In order that their cost might be reasonably low, emphasis was placed on the use readily available commericial components wherever possible. Improvements included the substitution of the standard electrical leads by screened lead approved for space application.