Multiple locking device insensitive to thermal variations especially applicable to space vehicles

摘要

A locking device for clamping or sheaving appendices aboard a satellite during the launching phase provides for temporary locking thereof which both limits the required holding forces and authorizes multiplication of the clamping or sheaving points for each appendix while being insensitive to temperature variations. It comprises a stop catch jointed to a foot rigidly secured to the satellite structure, to ensure immobilization of the element to be temporarily locked thereby, an elbow lever hinged to the stop catch and connected to a sheaving cable, and an elastic link exerting upon the lever a force to balance the holding force exerted by the sheaving cable. The locking device remains in the locked position as long as the shearing device for cutting off the cable has not been operated. Furthermore the combination of the elbow lever and the elastic link provides means for ensuring perfect locking, even in the case of significant differential dilatations between the body of the space vehicle and the sheaving cable.