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Development of a shockless thermally actuated release nut using elastic memory composite material

Publication ,  Conference
Gall, KR; Lake, MS; Harvey, J; Ricca, E
Published in: 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference
December 1, 2003

Spacecraft require a variety of separation and release devices to accommodate separation from the launch vehicle and deployment of solar arrays and other appendages. Pyrotechnic release devices produce high shock and contamination, are hazardous and costly to handle, and are not re-settable (i.e., can only be used once). Mechanical release devices can overcome most of these disadvantages, but they tend to be complex and costly. The present paper describes an innovative, nonpyrotechnic, lightweight, mechanically simple, and fully re-settable retention and release device called the Shockless Thermally Actuated Release Nut (STAR Nut). The key active element in the STAR Nut is a high-strength, Elastic Memory Composite (EMC) cylinder that is designed to change shape upon heating. The paper presents: 1) a set of system requirements and a conceptual design for the STAR Nut, 2) performance analyses of the EMC cylinder, and 3) results from fabrication and testing of EMC laminates. © 2003 by Composite Technology Development, Inc. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics,Inc.

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Published In

44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference

Publication Date

December 1, 2003
 

Citation

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Gall, K. R., Lake, M. S., Harvey, J., & Ricca, E. (2003). Development of a shockless thermally actuated release nut using elastic memory composite material. In 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference.
Gall, K. R., M. S. Lake, J. Harvey, and E. Ricca. “Development of a shockless thermally actuated release nut using elastic memory composite material.” In 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 2003.
Gall KR, Lake MS, Harvey J, Ricca E. Development of a shockless thermally actuated release nut using elastic memory composite material. In: 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference. 2003.
Gall, K. R., et al. “Development of a shockless thermally actuated release nut using elastic memory composite material.” 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 2003.
Gall KR, Lake MS, Harvey J, Ricca E. Development of a shockless thermally actuated release nut using elastic memory composite material. 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference. 2003.

Published In

44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference

Publication Date

December 1, 2003