Pressure Activated Release for Deployment of Surface, Aerial and Subsea Payloads

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018057166-A1
Application number	US-201615250418-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 29, 2016
Priority date	Aug 29, 2016
Publication date	Mar 1, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A pressure activated release system and method are disclosed for deployment of surface, aerial and subsea payloads. The system and method include a payload release switch that is activated, without human intervention, by a pressure differential. The system and method also includes a payload release mechanism having an unreleased configuration at pressures below a specified pressure. The release mechanism has a released configuration at pressures above the specified pressure. The switch causes the release mechanism to move from the unreleased configuration to the released configuration.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A pressure activated release system for deployment of a payload assembly, comprising:
at least one payload release mechanism having an unreleased configuration at pressures below a specified pressure, the at least one payload release mechanism having a released configuration at pressures above the specified pressure; at least one payload release switch configured to be activated, without human intervention, by a pressure differential, wherein the at least one payload release switch is configured to cause the release mechanism to move from the unreleased configuration to the released configuration; and wherein the release system is capable of deploying a surface, aerial or subsea payload assembly that includes a payload.

2 . The release system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a relay that is operably coupled to the at least one payload release switch and a power source, the relay being configured to carry power to the at least one payload release mechanism.

3 . The release system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a power source that is operably coupled to a relay, the power source being configured to activate the relay.

4 . The release system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an aerial deployment subsystem that includes:
an aerial drag device configured to delay a descent of the aerial payload assembly;
an aerial release device configured to permit release of the aerial drag device from a vehicle or vessel; and
an aerial pressure switch configured to release the aerial drag device from the aerial payload assembly, wherein the aerial pressure switch is configured to be activated, without human intervention, by either the same pressure differential as the at least one payload release switch, or another pressure differential.

5 . The release system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a timer device configured to permit a timed release of the payload from a shock tube.

6 . The release system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure differential activates the at least one payload release switch at a specified subsea depth; and
wherein the at least one payload release mechanism is configured to release the payload at the specified subsea depth.

7 . The release system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one payload release mechanism is passively powered and the release mechanism is electrically triggered.

8 . The release system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one payload release switch is activated by spring force or gravity.

9 . The release system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one payload release mechanism is a pin that pulls from a slot.

10 . The release system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a containment device that contains the payload, and wherein the containment device is configured to protect the payload until the payload is released from the containment device.

11 . The release system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one payload release switch is selected from the group consisting of a shear plate switch, a resettable spring plunger switch, a resettable moving diaphragm switch and a multiple contact switch.

12 . The release system of claim 1 , wherein the payload release mechanism is a resettable spring plunger or a resettable moving diaphragm.

13 . The release system of claim 1 , wherein the payload is an active sensor.

14 . A release method for deployment of payloads, the method comprising the steps of:
activating, without human intervention, at least one payload release switch by a pressure differential; and in response to the activating step, releasing a surface, aerial or subsea payload by at least one payload release mechanism having an unreleased configuration at pressures below a specified pressure, the release having a released configuration at pressures above the specified pressure.

15 . The release method of claim 14 , further comprising:
providing a relay that is operably coupled to the at least one payload release switch and a power source, the relay being configured to carry power to the at least one payload release mechanism.

16 . The release method of claim 14 , further comprising:
releasing an aerial drag device and the surface, aerial or subsea payload from a vehicle or vessel; if the payload is an aerial payload, delaying a descent of an aerial payload with the aerial drag device; and releasing the aerial drag device from the aerial payload by activating, without human intervention, an aerial release pressure switch at either the same pressure differential as the at least one payload release switch, or another pressure differential.

17 . The release method of claim 16 , further comprising:
after the step of releasing the aerial drag device, permitting the descent of the aerial payload to a subsea depth, therefore converting the aerial payload to a subsea payload.

18 . A pressure activated release system for deployment of payloads, comprising:
at least one payload release mechanism having an unreleased configuration at pressures below a specified pressure, the at least one payload release mechanism having a released configuration at pressures above the specified pressure; at least one payload release switch configured to be activated, without human intervention, by a pressure differential, wherein the at least one payload release switch is configured to cause the release mechanism to move from the unreleased configuration to the released configuration; a relay that is operably coupled to the at least one payload release switch and a power source, the relay being configured to carry power to the at least one release mechanism; and a power source that is operably coupled to the relay, the power source being configured to activate the relay; and wherein the release system is capable of deploying a surface, aerial or subsea payload assembly that includes a payload.

19 . The release system of claim 18 , further comprising:
an aerial deployment subsystem that includes:
an aerial drag device configured to delay a descent of the aerial payload;
an aerial release device configured to permit release of the aerial drag device from a vehicle or vessel; and
an aerial pressure switch configured to release the aerial drag device from the payload, wherein the aerial pressure switch is configured to be activated, without human intervention, by either the same pressure differential as the at least one payload release switch, or another pressure differential.

20 . The release system of claim 19 , wherein the at least one payload release switch is selected from the group consisting of a shear plate switch, a resettable spring plunger switch, a moving diaphragm switch and a multiple contact switch.

Assignees

• Spawar Systems Ct Pacific
• Us Navy

Inventors

• Lloyd Jeffrey M
• Wiedemeier Brandon J

Classifications

• B64D17/38 Primary

  Releasable fastening devices between parachute and load or pack · CPC title

• H01H35/26

  Details · CPC title

• B64D17/62

  Deployment · CPC title

• B64D1/12 Primary

  Releasing · CPC title