Fusible member connection apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A connection apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
a carrier mechanism translatably supported by said housing between an original axial position and a subsequent axial position relative to said housing responsive to an axial load on said carrier mechanism;
means for latching a connecting member to said carrier mechanism;
means for applying an axial load to said carrier mechanism;
a fusible material member capable of transitioning between solid to liquid responsive to thermal change, said fusible material member in said solid state supported in said housing in a manner to oppose said axial load thereby maintaining said carrier mechanism is said original axial position; and
heating means for transitioning said fusible material from solid to liquid;
whereby, when said fusible member is transitioned to liquid, said carrier mechanism is free to translate from said original axial position to said subsequent axial position responsive to said axial load.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connection apparatus utilizes a structural element made of fusible material supported directly in the connection load path of the device. A carrier mechanism is axially translatably supported in the device and utilizes a connecting member to connect two desired structures. The connection mechanism engages and holds the connecting member in a first axial position. In one embodiment, the connection mechanism releases the connecting member when translated to a second axial position. In another embodiment the connection mechanism tensions the connection when translated to the a second axial position. The fusible member is heated to transition from solid to liquid. In the liquid state, the fusible member no longer opposed axial load on the carrier mechanism. The fusible alloy comprises a low melting temperature alloy, such as bismuth-lead or bismuth-tin.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A connection apparatus comprising:
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a housing; a carrier mechanism translatably supported by said housing between an original axial position and a subsequent axial position relative to said housing responsive to an axial load on said carrier mechanism; means for latching a connecting member to said carrier mechanism; means for applying an axial load to said carrier mechanism; a fusible material member capable of transitioning between solid to liquid responsive to thermal change, said fusible material member in said solid state supported in said housing in a manner to oppose said axial load thereby maintaining said carrier mechanism is said original axial position; and heating means for transitioning said fusible material from solid to liquid; whereby, when said fusible member is transitioned to liquid, said carrier mechanism is free to translate from said original axial position to said subsequent axial position responsive to said axial load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A connection apparatus comprising:
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a connecting member; a piston cylinder; a piston translatably seated within said piston cylinder responsive to an axial force; a structural member comprised of an alloy capable of transitioning from solid to a liquid when heated and transitioning back to solid when cooled, said structural member in said solid state supported in piston cylinder to oppose said axial force and maintain said piston in an original axial position relative to said piston cylinder; latch means for engaging said connecting member to said piston cylinder; and heating means for heating and transitioning said structural member. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of connecting comprising the steps of:
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translatably supporting a carrier mechanism to a housing between an original axial position relative to the housing and a subsequent axial position spaced from the odginal axial position; engaging a connecting member to the carrier mechanism; providing a fusible material member capable of transitioning from solid to liquid in response to thermal change; supporting the fusible material member in the housing in its solid state to oppose axial load on the carrier mechanism to maintain the carrier mechanism in the original axial position; applying an axial load to the carrier mechanism to translate the carrier mechanism to the subsequent axial position; heating the fusible material to transition it from solid to liquid; and providing at least one chamber to receive said liquid material forced to flow in response to the axial load; the carrier mechanism thus becoming free to translate from the original axial position to the subsequent axial position responsive to the axial load. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification