The development of an ultra low shock pyrotechnically actuated separation nut

摘要

As spacecraft have become vastly more sophisticated with a myriad of sensitive and complex components, the concern caused by mechanical and pyrotechnic shock has increased. Looking for solutions to the problem Hi-Shear Technology Corporation (HSTC) is developing an ultra low shock separation nut that reduces the peak output shock by approximately 50% of the HSTC flight-qualified low-shock separation nuts, which are presently one of the lowest mechanical/pyrotechnic shock producing devices. The ultra low shock separation nut (Patent Case Number 4931) uses a rotor feature that converts much of the shock energy from an axial direction into rotation and increases the preload release time, thereby decreasing the peak output shock.