Device for overcoming the problem of crew safety during a spacecraft launch and improve the joints connecting the segments of the solid rocket booster

摘要

A crew capsule 2 is connected to the body 3 of a spacecraft by a releasable coupling comprising a housing 6 secured to the capsule, a sleeve 9 secured to the body 3, and clamps 11-15 engaging interrupted thread 10 on sleeve 9 and having hooked ends engaging a flange 7 on housing 6. In an emergency during launch, an hydraulic ram 21 energized by a pump 24 is actuated to rotate the clamps 11-15, which are circumferentially interconnected, relative to the sleeve 9 to disengage the clamp threads from the sleeve thread sections 10; then explosive charges 25 are fired to separate the capsule 2 from the body 3, the capsule subsequently descending by parachute.PPA similar releasable connection may be used between segments of a Solid Rocket Booster, or between the passenger cabin and other parts of a passenger- carrying aeroplane.