Medium independent pressure tolerant release device, system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017191511-A1
Application number	US-201515321371-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 6, 2015
Priority date	Jul 7, 2014
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A release device for releasing another device in an environment includes a housing containing a material matrix. A member is restrained by the material matrix and extends outside the housing. The matrix is a solid in conditions of the environment to hold the member stationary in opposition to predetermined force. The matrix softens at a predetermined softening temperature to permit relative movement between the member and the material matrix. A heating element is disposed to heat the material matrix to the predetermined softening temperature. A method for releasing a device includes attaching the device to a member extending out of the release device. The device remains attached against the predetermined force. The matrix is heated to the softening temperature in response to a communication to permit movement of the member to fully or partially release the device.

First claim

1 . A release device for releasing another device in an environment, the release device comprising:
a housing containing a material matrix therein; a member restrained by the material matrix and extending from the material matrix to outside the housing, said material matrix comprising a solid in conditions of the environment to hold the member stationary in opposition to predetermined force and soften at a predetermined softening temperature to permit relative movement between the member and the material matrix; and a heating element disposed to heat the material matrix to the predetermined softening temperature.

2 . The release device of claim 1 , further comprising a remote communication sensor to receive a communication to activate the heating element.

3 . The release device of claim 2 , further comprising a power source for powering said heating element.

4 . The release device of claim 3 , wherein said power source is an integral part of the release device.

5 . The release device of claim 3 , wherein the material matrix comprises a polymorph material.

6 . The release device of claim 3 , wherein the power source comprises a battery.

7 . The release device of claim 1 , wherein said heating element comprises a silicon heat strip.

8 . The release device of claim 1 , further comprising a cap sealed to said housing, said cap containing a power source for powering said heating element and a controller for controlling said heating element and communications via a remote communication sensor.

9 . The release device of claim 8 , wherein said communication sensor comprises a sonar sensor.

10 . The release device of claim 1 , wherein the material matrix comprises a re-usable matrix that reforms into a solid after being heated beyond the predetermined softening temperature and allowed to cool back below the predetermined softening temperature.

11 . The release of claim 1 , further comprising a mount to mount the release device to a mechanical release device.

12 . A release system including a release device of claim 11 , mounted to a mechanical release device, the mechanical release device including a spring that provides the predetermined force to a pivot member that is attached to said member.

13 . The release device of claim 1 , further comprising a cap attached to said housing, said member extending through said cap, and wherein said cap comprises a spring that applies the predetermined force to said member.

14 . The release device of claim 1 , wherein said heating element comprises a resistive heating element.

15 . The release device of claim 1 , wherein said heating element comprises a chemical heating element.

16 . A release device for releasing another device in an environment, the release device comprising:
a housing; a member configured to attach to the another device outside of said housing and extend into said housing; material matrix means for restraining said member in conditions of the environment to hold the member stationary in opposition to predetermined force and permit relative movement between the member and the material matrix at or above a predetermined temperature; means for controlling said material matrix means in response to a remote communication.

17 . A method for releasing a device in response to a remote communication received through an environment, the method comprising:
attaching the device to a member extending out of a release device; holding the member with a material matrix under conditions of the environment to prevent release against an opposing force associated with the device; receiving a remote communication through the environment; heating the material matrix in response to the remote communication to heat the matrix to a softening temperature and permit movement of the member to fully or partially release the device.

Assignees

• Univ California

Inventors

• Aaron Iii Ernest L
• Gibaud Mark R

Classifications

• F16B1/00 Primary

  Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts · CPC title

• B63B22/06 Primary

  with means to cause the buoy to surface in response to a transmitted signal {(B63B22/023 takes precedence)} · CPC title