IMPACT DRIVER SEPARATION DEVICE AND METHOD
An impact driver separation device for spacecraft and other vehicular separation mechanisms including a first element, second element, first connector, second connector, and impact actuator. The first element and the second element are joined by the first connector and the second connector. The impact actuator connects to the first connector or the second connector. In one example, the first connector is a bolt and the second connector is a nut. In another example, the first connector is a nut and the second connector is a bolt. When the impact actuator connects to the first connector, the impact actuator permits removal of the first connector from the second connector for separation of the first element and the second element. When the impact actuator connects to the second connector, the impact actuator permits removal of the second connector from the first connector for separation of the first element and the second element.
1 . An impact driver separation device, comprising:
a first element;
a second element;
a first connector;
a second connector; and
an impact actuator,
wherein said first element and said second element are joined by said first connector and said second connector,
wherein said impact actuator connects to said first connector or said second connector,
wherein when said impact actuator connects to said first connector, said impact actuator permits removal of said first connector from said second connector for separation of said first element and said second element, or
wherein when said impact actuator connects to said second connector, said impact actuator permits removal of said second connector from said first connector for separation of said first element and said second element.
2 . The impact driver separation device of claim 1 , wherein said first connector is a bolt and said second connector is a nut.
3 . The impact driver separation device of claim 1 , wherein said first connector is a nut and said second connector is a bolt.
4 . The impact driver separation device of claim 1 , further comprises a trolley.
5 . The impact driver separation device of claim 4 , wherein said trolley connects to said impact actuator.
6 . The impact driver separation device of claim 5 , wherein said trolley moves said impact actuator to permit removal of said first connector or said second connector from said second connector or said first connector, respectively for separation of said first element and said second element.
7 . The impact driver separation device of claim 6 , wherein said first connector is a bolt and said second connector is a nut.
8 . The impact driver separation device of claim 6 , wherein said first connector is a nut and said second connector is a bolt.
9 . The impact driver separation device of claim 1 , further comprises a robotic arm.
10 . The impact driver separation device of claim 9 , wherein said robotic arm connects to said impact actuator.
11 . The impact driver separation device of claim 10 , wherein said robotic arm moves said impact actuator to permit removal of said first connector or said second connector from said second connector or said first connector, respectively for separation of said first element and said second element.
12 . The impact driver separation device of claim 11 , wherein said first connector is a bolt and said second connector is a nut.
13 . The impact driver separation device of claim 11 , wherein said first connector is a nut and said second connector is a bolt.
14 . An impact driver separation device, comprising:
a first element;
a second element;
a first connector;
a second connector; and
an impact actuator,
wherein said first element and said second element are joined by said first connector and said second connector,
wherein said impact actuator connects to said first connector, and
wherein said impact actuator permits removal of said first connector from said second connector for separation of said first element and said second element.
15 . The impact driver separation device of claim 14 , wherein said first connector is a bolt and said second connector is a nut.
16 . The impact driver separation device of claim 14 , wherein said first connector is a nut and said second connector is a bolt.
17 . The impact driver separation device of claim 14 , further comprises a trolley, wherein said trolley connects to said impact actuator.
18 . The impact driver separation device of claim 17 , wherein said trolley moves said impact actuator to permit removal of said first connector from said second connector for separation of said first element and said second element.
19 . The impact driver separation device of claim 14 , further comprises a robotic arm, wherein said robotic arm connects to said impact actuator, and wherein said robotic arm moves said impact actuator to permit removal of said first connector from said second connector for separation of said first element and said second element.
20 . A method of providing an impact driver separation device, said method comprising steps of:
providing a first element;
providing a second element;
providing a first connector;
providing a second connector;
providing an impact actuator;
joining said first element and said second element by said first connector and said second connector;
connecting said impact actuator to said first connector or said second connector; and
when said impact actuator connects to said first connector, permitting removal of said first connector from said second connector by said impact actuator for separation of said first element and said second element; or
when said impact actuator connects to said second connector, permitting removal of said second connector from said first connector by said impact actuator for separation of said first element and said second element.