U.S. patent application number 15/936750 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-27 for stored energy release triggered by piezoelectric element.
This patent application is currently assigned to Carleton Life Support Systems Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Carleton Life Support Systems Inc.. Invention is credited to Don Blackman, Brian Ford.
Application Number | 20180278182 15/936750 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63583736 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180278182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blackman; Don ; et
al. |
September 27, 2018 |
STORED ENERGY RELEASE TRIGGERED BY PIEZOELECTRIC ELEMENT
Abstract
A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably
received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended
orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends
outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the
actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is
located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the
actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within
the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding
movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the
actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the
actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential
energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element
selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining
member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing
member to place the actuatable member in the retracted
orientation.
Inventors: |
Blackman; Don; (Bradenton,
FL) ; Ford; Brian; (Bettendorf, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carleton Life Support Systems Inc. |
Davenport |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Carleton Life Support Systems
Inc.
Davenport
IA
|
Family ID: |
63583736 |
Appl. No.: |
15/936750 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62477184 |
Mar 27, 2017 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02N 2/026 20130101;
A44B 11/2569 20130101; B64D 17/30 20130101; B64D 17/38
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02N 2/02 20060101
H02N002/02; A44B 11/25 20060101 A44B011/25; B64D 17/30 20060101
B64D017/30 |
Claims
1. A stored energy release comprising: a) an actuatable member
slidably received within a housing, the actuatable member having an
extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member
extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation
wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing; b) a
biasing member located between a portion of the actuatable member
and the housing, the biasing member configured to bias the
actuatable member to the retracted orientation; c) a shaft within
the housing, the actuatable member configured for sliding movement
along the shaft; d) a retaining member located between the
actuatable member and the shaft, the retaining member configured to
maintain the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby
potential energy is stored within the biasing member; and e) a
piezoelectric element configured to selectively engage the
retaining member to disengage the retaining member from the shaft
and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member
to bias the actuatable member to the retracted orientation.
2. The stored energy release of claim 1 wherein the actuatable
member includes a pin puller coupled to a locking pin, the locking
pin configured to extend outwardly from the housing when the
actuatable member is in the extended orientation.
3. The stored energy release of claim 2 further including a second
biasing member having a first end coupled to the retaining member
and a second end coupled to the locking pin.
4. The stored energy release of claim 1 wherein the shaft includes
a shoulder, wherein the retaining member is configured to engage
the shoulder when the piezoelectric element is in a first state and
wherein the retaining member disengages the shoulder when the
piezoelectric element is in a second state whereby the actuatable
member is biased to the retracted orientation.
5. The stored energy release of claim 4 wherein the first state of
the piezoelectric element is a compressed state.
6. The stored energy release of claim 1 wherein the shaft includes
tapered ends, the retaining member including a ring configured to
engage the tapered end when the piezoelectric element is in a first
state and wherein the ring disengages the tapered end when the
piezoelectric element is in a second state whereby the actuatable
member is biased to the retracted orientation.
7. A water activated release system configured to automatically
uncouple an occupant worn harness from a link when immersed in salt
water, the water activated release system (WARS) comprising: a body
having a first end coupled to either the occupant worn harness of
the link and a second end coupled to the other of the occupant worn
harness of the link, wherein the first end includes a power supply
and at least one sensor in communication with an electronics
package assembly (EPA) having an internal circuit with activated
and deactivated states, wherein the at least one sensor is
configured to sense when the WARS is immersed in salt water and
trigger the EPA to the activated state, and wherein the second end
includes a stored energy release assembly comprising: a) an
actuatable member slidably received within a housing, the
actuatable member having an extended orientation wherein a portion
of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing to
couple the WARS to the link and a retracted orientation wherein the
actuatable member resides within the housing to uncouple the WARS
from the link; b) a biasing member located between a portion of the
actuatable member and the housing, the biasing member configured to
bias the actuatable member to the retracted orientation; c) a shaft
within the housing, the actuatable member configured for sliding
movement along the shaft; d) a retaining member located between the
actuatable member and the shaft, the retaining member configured to
maintain the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby
potential energy is stored within the biasing member; and e) a
piezoelectric assembly configured to receive electrical power from
the power supply when the EPA is triggered to the activated state,
wherein the piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoelectric element
configured to selectively engage the retaining member to disengage
the retaining member from the shaft and release the stored
potential energy within the biasing member to bias the actuatable
member to the retracted orientation whereby the occupant worn
harness is uncoupled from the link.
8. The water activated release system of claim 7 wherein the link
is further coupled to a parachute riser or an overhead reel.
9. The water activated release system of claim 7 wherein the power
supply is one or more batteries.
10. The water activated release system of claim 7 wherein the at
least one sensor is configured to detect a change in resistance due
to the salinity of the salt water.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a stored energy
release triggered by a piezoelectric element, and more particularly
to a stored energy release incorporated within a water activated
release system (WARS).
BACKGROUND
[0002] Water activated release systems (WARS) are known in the art
and are typically configured to trigger release of the WARS from a
restraint, such as a harness, once the system is submersed in
seawater. To that end, the WARS may include sensors which, when
submersed in seawater, detect a change in resistance due to the
salinity of the seawater. Upon sensing a threshold salinity/drop in
resistance, a capacitor is charged via a battery pack so as to
discharge a current to a pyrotechnic element and thereby cause the
pyrotechnic element to ignite its chemical agents. Firing of the
pyrotechnic chemical agents evolves a high pressure gas which
actuates locking pins to withdraw into the WARS so as to release
the locking pins from the restraint. Other wetting conditions, such
as freshwater, fog, rain or humidity will not trigger firing of the
pyrotechnic. While pyrotechnic WARS are presently in use, such
pyrotechnic systems suffer from high production costs, complex
assembly requirements and potential failure due to decomposition or
fouling of the pyrotechnic chemical agents.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention addresses the above need by providing
a WARS without need of a pyrotechnic chemical agent. In an
embodiment, a stored energy release comprises an actuatable member
slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an
extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member
extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation
wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing
member is located between the actuatable member and the housing and
biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft
is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for
sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located
between the actuatable member and the shaft and maintains the
actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential
energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element
selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining
member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing
member to place the actuatable member in the retracted
orientation.
[0004] In a further aspect of the present invention, the actuatable
member includes a pin puller coupled to a locking pin whereby the
locking pin is configured to extend outwardly from the housing when
the actuatable member is in the extended orientation. The shaft may
also include a shoulder with the retaining member configured to
engage the shoulder when the piezoelectric element is in a first
state and wherein the retaining member disengages the shoulder when
the piezoelectric element is in a second state such that the
actuatable member is biased to the retracted orientation. The shaft
may alternatively include tapered ends while the retaining member
includes a ring configured to engage the tapered end when the
piezoelectric element is in the first state and wherein the ring
disengages the tapered end when the piezoelectric element is in a
second state such that the actuatable member is biased to the
retracted orientation.
[0005] In another aspect of the present invention, a water
activated release system configured to automatically uncouple an
occupant worn harness from a link when immersed in salt water
comprises a body having a first end coupled to either the occupant
worn harness of the link and a second end coupled to the other of
the occupant worn harness of the link. The first end includes a
power supply and at least one sensor in communication with an
electronics package assembly (EPA) having an internal circuit with
activated and deactivated states. The at least one sensor is
configured to sense when the WARS is immersed in salt water and
trigger the EPA to the activated state. The second end includes a
stored energy release assembly comprising an actuatable member
slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an
extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member
extends outwardly from the housing to couple the WARS to the link
and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides
within the housing to uncouple the WARS from the link. A biasing
member is located between a portion of the actuatable member and
the housing. The biasing member is configured to bias the
actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within
the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding
movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the
actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member is configured
to maintain the actuatable member in the extended orientation
whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A
piezoelectric assembly is configured to receive electrical power
from the power supply when the EPA is triggered to the activated
state. The piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoelectric element
configured to selectively engage the retaining member to disengage
the retaining member from the shaft and release the stored
potential energy within the biasing member to bias the actuatable
member to the retracted orientation whereby the occupant worn
harness is uncoupled from the link.
[0006] In still another aspect of the present invention, the link
is further coupled to a parachute riser or an overhead reel and the
power supply is one or more batteries. Also, the at least one
sensor is configured to detect a change in resistance due to the
salinity of the salt water.
[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] For a more complete understanding and appreciation of this
invention, and its many advantages, reference will be made to the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a harness system
including a water activated release system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an isolated view of the water activated release
system shown in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of a prior art pyrotechnic
water activated release system with the pyrotechnic in an unfired
condition and locking pins extended;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the prior art pyrotechnic
water activated release system shown in FIG. 3 following firing of
the pyrotechnic and retraction of the locking pins;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a piezoelectric water
activated release system in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of an isolated piezoelectric
assembly within the piezoelectric water activated release system
shown in FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 6A is an expanded view of a pin holder and dowel within
the piezoelectric assembly shown in FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an isolated, front cross section view of the pin
holder and piezoelectric element within the piezoelectric assembly
shown in FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the piezoelectric water
activated release system shown in FIG. 5 with the locking pins
manually placed within the retracted orientation;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the piezoelectric water
activated release system shown in FIG. 5 following actuation of the
piezoelectric element and retraction of the locking pins.
[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out
herein illustrate currently preferred embodiments of the invention,
and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the
scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary environmental view of a harness
configuration 10 which may suitably include a water activated
release system (WARS). Harness configuration 10 may include a first
strap 12 fixedly secured to a first end 14 of a manual release
mechanism 16. First strap 12 may, for example, be secured to an
occupant-worn harness system, such as but not limited to a
parachute harness. The opposing second end 18 of manual release
mechanism 16 may include a clasp 20 configured to receive a link
22. Pivoting clasp 20 enables release of link 22 from manual
release mechanism 16. Link 22 may be coupled to a second strap 24.
Second strap 24 may be secured to a further structure, such as an
overhead reel (not shown) or may be a parachute riser of a
parachute. In one instance, link 22 may be directly coupled to
second strap 24 via pin 26 whereby second strap 24 would be
released from first strap 12 only upon actuation of clasp 20 of
manual release mechanism 16.
[0021] With additional reference to FIG. 2, to provide for
increased safety, particularly in those applications anticipated to
occur on, near or over seawater, WARS 28 may be interposed between
strap 24 and link 22. In this instance, pin 26 is fixedly secured
within openings 30 defined within lobes 31 which extend outwardly
from first end 32 of body 29 of WARS 28. Second end 34 of WARS 28
may include opposing locking pins 36 configured to be releasably
coupled to link 22. In this manner, upon submersion in seawater,
WARS 28 may be activated to retract locking pins 36 and thereby
disengage locking pins 36 from link 22. First strap 12 may then be
decoupled from second strap 24 whereby the occupant is released
from the overhead reel or parachute riser and canopy.
[0022] With attention to FIGS. 3 and 4, a prior art pyrotechnic
WARS is generally indicated by reference number 28a. As can be
seen, pyrotechnic WARS 28a includes a body 29a having opposing
locking pins 36a slidably received within a channel 38a defined
within second end 34a. Locking pins 36a are biased outwardly of
second end 34a, such as by way of spring 40a so as to engage link
22. First end 32a of WARS 28a may be include sensors 42a configured
to sense when WARS 28a is submersed within seawater, such as by a
change in resistance between the sensors. Sensors 42a may
communicate with an electronics package assembly (EPA) 44a whereby,
when sensors 42a indicate seawater submersion, EPA 44a may close a
circuit to charge capacitor 45a. Electrical power may be provided
to sensors 42a, EPA 44a and capacitor 45a by one or more button
cells 46a. Upon charging of capacitor 45a, a discharge current may
then be directed to pyrotechnic element 48a so as to fire the
pyrotechnic chemical agent contained therein and thereby generate a
gas. The gas may then travel through gas path 50a and exert a force
against head 37a of each locking pin 36a. The force exerted by the
gas is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of spring 40a
whereby locking pins 36a are driven inwardly within channel 38a.
Channel 38a may further include a ramped surface 52a whereby, when
driven by the evolved gas, heads 37a may be wedged against ramped
surface 52a such that locking pins 36a may not be biased outwardly
by spring 40a following a drop in gas pressure. In this manner,
WARS 28a may then be freely removed from link 22 as shown in FIG.
4.
[0023] Turning now to FIGS. 5-9, an embodiment of a piezoelectric
WARS 28b generally includes a body 29b having first and second ends
32b, 34b, respectively. It should be noted that first end 32b has
been omitted from FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 for purposes of clarity. With
reference to FIG. 5, first end 32b of WARS 28b may include sensors
42b configured to sense when WARS 28b is submersed within seawater.
Sensors 42b may communicate with EPA 44b, when sensors 42b indicate
seawater submersion. EPA 44b may then close a circuit to provide
electrical power to piezoelectric assembly 35b, which will be
discussed in greater detail below. Electrical power may be provided
by one or more button cells 46b.
[0024] Second end 34b may include a piezoelectric assembly 35b
within channel 38b defined within the housing of second end 34b.
Piezoelectric assembly 35b may comprise opposing locking pins 36b
each biased outwardly from second end 34b, such as by way of a
respective conical spring 40b acting against a respective retaining
member, such as holder 54b. Each holder 54b abuts a respective
shoulder 56b defined by central shaft or dowel 58b (FIGS. 6 and
6A). Piezoelectric assembly 35b may further include a respective
pin puller 60b coupled to flanged end 62b of a respective locking
pin 36b at a first end 64b. Together, each locking pin 36b and
associated pin puller 60b may be referred to as an actuatable
member. Opposing second end 66b of pin puller 60b includes a flange
68b. Inner surface 70b of flange 68b engages holder 54b while outer
surface 72b is configured to engage a biasing member, such as wave
spring 74b. The opposing end of each wave spring 74b seats against
wall 76b of second end 34b such that wave spring 74b imparts an
inward biasing force against pin puller 60b, and thus locking pins
36b. Potential energy is stored within each wave spring 74b and
inward travel of locking pins 36b is prevented by engagement of
holder 54b with shoulder 56b.
[0025] FIG. 7 is an isolated view of a holder 54b. Holder 54b may
include a generally C-shaped member 77b defining a narrow gap 78b
and central opening 80b. A piezoelectric element 82b may extend
across gap 78b. Piezoelectric element 82b may be initially
configured to be in a compressed state while central opening 80b is
proportioned such that its diameter D is substantially equal to the
outer diameter of reduced portion 84b of central dowel 58b (see
FIG. 6A) but less than the outer diameter of unreduced portion 86b
of central dowel 58b. In this manner, piezoelectric element 82b may
clamp holder 54b to reduced portion 84b of central dowel 58b and
thereby prevent inward travel of holder 54b when under the biasing
force of wave spring 74b as described above. However, following a
sensed seawater submersion, discharge of capacitor 45b may cause
expansion of piezoelectric element 82b. As a result, C-shaped
member 77b may be deformed radially outward such that diameter D of
central opening 80b may be expanded to be at least equal to the
outer diameter of unreduced portion 84b of central dowel 58b.
C-shaped member 77b may further include a hinge point, such as
recess 88b, configured to assist control of the radially outward
expansion of C-shaped member 77b. In this manner, and as shown in
FIG. 9, holder 54b may translate linearly inward within channel 38b
as the potential energy stored within wave springs 74b is released.
As pin puller 60b is coupled to wave spring 74b, and locking pin
36b is coupled to pin puller 60b, locking pin 36b also translates
inwardly within channel 38b such that locking pin 36b lies below
plane P.sub.b defined by the terminus of second end 34b. As a
result, WARS 28b may be decoupled from link 22 as described
above.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 8, WARS 28b may be manually coupled
to link 22 without the use of tools. As shown in FIG. 8, locking
pins 36b may be manually directed into second end 34b upon
compression of conical springs 40b. Inward travel of holder 54b is
prevented by engagement of C-shaped member 77b with shoulder 56b as
described above. In this manner, WARS 28b may slide within link 22.
With WARS 28b properly in place, compression of conical springs 40b
is removed such that stored potential energy within conical springs
40b drives locking pins 36b outwardly such that locking pins 36b
may engage link 22 so as to releasably couple WARS 28b to first
strap 12.
[0027] It should be understood the steps of the method presented
herein do not necessarily have to be in the order in which it is
presented. It is also understood that when an element is referred
to as being "on", "connected to/with", or "coupled to/with" another
element, the element can be directly on, connected to/with or
coupled to/with the other element or intervening elements may also
be present.
[0028] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements or components thereof to adapt to
particular situations without departing from the scope of the
invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be
limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode
contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the
invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and
spirit of the following claims.
* * * * *