HYDROSTATIC RELEASE DEVICE FOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT

摘要

An improved release device with a housing including a sealed lower body (1) and a cover (2) attached thereto with a flexible membrane (3) inserted therebetween, as well as an attachment portion (8) secured to the cover. Unlike known devices based on this principle, said device is testable and may be reset and reused at will. The essential features of the release device are that the body (1) is combined with a shaped member (6) that defines a central housing (4) for a spring (5), supports the membrane (3) and is secured to a cap (7) projecting into the cover (2), elements (6) and (7) being slidable about a lower portion (1A) of the body (1) by means of the membrane (3); and that in the normal closed position said attachment portion (8) is releasably engaged between said cap (7) and a recess (9) in said cover (2), whereby the safety equipment is released when the water pressure is sufficiently high. Said release device is particularly useful in emergency locator beacons, life rafts, etc., and more generally in any device designed for use under conditions involving pressure changes.