Separation apparatus for separating a first object from a second object
Aspects of the disclosure relate to terminating flight of a balloon that may include separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of the balloon. In one example, a payload separation apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. In another example, a system includes a flight termination assembly having a cutting edge configured to cut an opening in the envelope and a payload separation apparatus. The apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket configured to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. The system also includes a controller configured to activate the cutting edge.
1. A system comprising a separation apparatus for separating a connection between a first object and a second object, the separation apparatus comprising:
a first shaft configured to attach to the first object, the first shaft including two openings;
a second shaft configured to attach to the second object, the second shaft including two slots arranged in line with the two openings of the first shaft;
a first pair of arms;
a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft; and
a bolt arranged through the two openings of the first shaft and the two slots of the second shaft.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein each arm of the pair of arms includes an opening at one end and the bolt is further arranged through the openings in the arms.
3. A system comprising a separation apparatus for separating a connection between a first object and a second object, the first shaft including two slots;
a first shaft configured to attach to the first object, the first shaft including two slots;
a second shaft including two openings arranged in line with the two slots of the first shaft;
a first pair of arms;
a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft; and
a pair of projections on the second shaft arranged through the two openings of the second shaft and the two slots of the first shaft.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein each arm of the pair of arms includes a finger at one end, and each of the fingers are arranged to sit around at least a portion of one of the projections of the pair of projections.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes two openings, each of the arms include an opening at one end, and the system further comprises a bolt arranged through the two openings of the bracket and the openings in the arms, the bolt securing the arms to the bracket.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes two arms and a base which form an opening and the first shaft is arranged within the opening formed by the two arms and the base.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein each arm of the bracket includes a corresponding opening.
8. The system of claim 7 , further comprises a pin arranged through the corresponding openings of the arms of the bracket.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pin configured to break and release the first object from the second object.
10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a cutting device configured to cut the pin and release the bracket from the first shaft.
11. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a squib arranged around the pin, the squib housing a cutting device.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the bracket includes two arms and each arm of the bracket includes a corresponding opening through which the pin is arranged.
13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the first object.
14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising the second object.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first shaft, second shaft, and first pair of arms comprise aluminum.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first shaft, second shaft, and first pair of arms comprise an aluminum alloy.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket comprises stainless steel.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket and the first pair of arms are configured to temporarily secure the first shaft to the second shaft.
19. The system of claim 18 , further comprising a squib having a receiver configured to activate the squib and release the first shaft from the second shaft upon receipt of an electrical signal.
20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second shaft includes two openings, the first shaft includes two slots arranged in line with the two openings, and the system further includes a pair of projections on the second shaft arranged through the two openings of the second shaft and the two slots of the first shaft.
21. The system of claim 3 , wherein each arm of the pair of arms includes an opening at one end and the system further comprises a bolt arranged through the openings in the arms.
22. The system of claim 3 , wherein each arm of the pair of arms includes a finger at one end, and each of the fingers are arranged to sit around at least a portion of one of the projections of the pair of projections.
23. The system of claim 3 , wherein the bracket includes two openings, each of the arms include an opening at one end, and the system further comprises a bolt arranged through the two openings of the bracket and the openings in the arms, the bolt securing the arms to the bracket.
24. The system of claim 3 , wherein the bracket includes two arms and a base which form an opening and the first shaft is arranged within the opening formed by the two arms and the base.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein each arm of the bracket includes a corresponding opening.
26. The system of claim 25 , further comprises a pin arranged through the corresponding openings of the arms of the bracket.
27. The system of claim 3 , further comprising a pin configured to break and release the first object from the second object.
28. The system of claim 27 , further comprising a cutting device configured to cut the pin and release the bracket from the first shaft.
29. The system of claim 27 , further comprising a squib arranged around the pin, the squib housing a cutting device.
30. The system of claim 27 , wherein the bracket includes two arms and each arm of the bracket includes a corresponding opening through which the pin is arranged.
31. The system of claim 3 , further comprising the first object.
32. The system of claim 31 , further comprising the second object.
33. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first shaft, second shaft, and first pair of arms comprise aluminum.
34. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first shaft, second shaft, and first pair of arms comprise an aluminum alloy.
35. The system of claim 3 , wherein the bracket comprises stainless steel.
36. The system of claim 3 , wherein the bracket and the first pair of arms are configured to temporarily secure the first shaft to the second shaft.
37. The system of claim 36 , further comprising a squib having a receiver configured to activate the squib and release the first shaft from the second shaft upon receipt of an electrical signal.
38. The system of claim 14 , wherein the first object is a payload and the second object is a balloon envelope.