Granted Patent B1

US 8,183,508 · App. 12/927,310 · Granted May 22, 2012

Abstract

Claims (13)

1. A fin retention and deployment mechanism, comprising:

a first detent in each of a plurality of fins;

a mechanism that engages the first detent;

at least one spring clip that maintains each of the fins in a non-deployed position;

a gas generator;

a manifold, coupled to the gas generator and having a plurality of cylinders in fluid communication with gas from the gas generator; and

a plurality of pistons disposed in the cylinders, a bottom of each of the pistons being coupled to each of the fins to provide deployment thereof when a corresponding top of each of the pistons is acted upon by gas from the gas generator,

wherein the pistons are coupled to the fins through a padding element that is made from a material that is softer than a material used for the fins.

2. A fin retention and deployment mechanism, according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of springs, disposed in the cylinders, to bias the pistons away from the fins.

3. A fin retention and deployment mechanism, according to claim 1 , wherein in response to the gas generator expelling gas, the pistons move the fins to a deployed position and a second detent in each of the fins engages the mechanism to maintain the fins in a deployed position.

4. A fin retention and deployment mechanism, according to claim 3 , wherein the mechanism that engages the detents includes a ball and a spring that urges the ball toward the detents.

5. A fin retention and deployment mechanism, according to claim 4 , wherein the mechanism that engages the detents includes a plunger and a spring that urges the plunger toward the detents.

Assignments (8)