Miniature release mechanism or diminutive assembly for nanosatellite deployables (DANY)

摘要

Miniature release mechanisms constrain objects, such as deployables during the launch of space vehicles, such as small satellites and nanosatellites, and enable the release of the objects once a desired destination is reached by the space vehicle. Constraint and release of the objects are achieved by providing a secure threaded interface that may be released by the release mechanisms. The release mechanisms include a housing structure; a release block can include a threaded interface; one or more retracting pins; one or more release springs; a breakable link, such as a plastic link; a cable harness clamp; and a circuit board. The release mechanism can be 0.1875 inches (approximately 4.8 mm) thick.

主权项

1. A release mechanism for a satellite, the release mechanism comprising:
a housing structure affixed to a frame of the satellite, the housing structure including at least one cutout that receives a release block attached to a deployable of the satellite; at least one retracting pin supported in the housing structure; at least one release spring that exerts force on the at least one pin and housing structure; a breakable link that holds the at least one retracting pin such that the at least one release spring is compressed and the at least one retracting pin at least partially extends through the housing structure and the release block to hold the release block in the at least one cutout and couple the release block to the housing structure; and a circuit board connected to the housing, the circuit board including at least one heating device that heats the breakable link to compromise the breakable link such that the at least one release spring retracts the at least one retracting pin from the release block to uncouple the release block from the housing structure.