Abstract:
An easy to use, and reuse, separation connector is disclosed that comprises a first component having a plurality of leaf elements with protrusions, and a second component having a recess for receiving the leaf element protrusions. The protrusions of the leaf elements are secured within the recess by a tensioned band; the protrusions and recess are formed so as to provide an efficient and effective load and torque bearing surface that requires minimal tension on the tensioned band. In a preferred embodiment, the tensioned band is detensioned by a thermal device that melts the band. When the band is melted, springs or other devices urge the leaves away from the mating surface, thereby allowing for the separation of the connected items.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of mechanical connectors, and in particular to connector assemblies for stage separation systems, such as satellite and missile systems. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Transport systems, such as rockets that transport satellites into space, vessels that transport submerged sections of ocean structures such as oil platforms, and the like, require a means for securely fastening different items together for transport, and reliably and easily unfastening the items for deployment. Multi-stage rockets also require a means for fastening the stages together, and reliably unfastening the stages as each stage is spent. In other situations, such as aircraft carrier based aircraft, the items are transported or stored in a disassembled state and require a means for rapidly fastening the items for deployment, and reliably and easily unfastening the items for subsequent storage or transport. 
     A variety of devices have been developed to secure two items together while also allowing the items to be separated quickly and reliably. In the aerospace industry, the common connection devices include bolts and bands that can be severed. Bolts are used to fasten the two items together, and an explosive charge is typically used to sever the bolts at the proper time, thereby unfastening the two items. Depending upon the application, ancillary devices such as springs may be used to urge the two items apart when the bolts are severed. To assure a reliable separation, the number of bolts used to fasten the two items is kept to a minimum; this results in load points at the bolts far in excess of the load imposed by a distributed fastening system. 
     Belt structures are commonly used to provide for a distributed load. A belt structure that is commonly employed to fasten items together is a “V-band”, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,565, incorporated by reference herein. The V-band includes a tension belt for securing a plurality of retainers against camming surfaces on flange members on separable spacecraft component parts. 
     A typical V-band embodiment consists of an upper ring attached to the payload, a lower ring attached to the launch vehicle, and a clampband that is circumferentially tensioned to the flanges of the upper and lower rings, as illustrated in FIG.  1 . The upper ring  101  and lower ring  102  each have flanges that, when joined, form a “V” shaped projection  1   50 A. The clampband consists of a belt  110  and a plurality of clamps  120 . Each of the clamps  120  have a recess  150 B corresponding to the shape of the projection  150 A of the upper  101  and lower  102  rings. When the belt  110  is tensioned, the recesses  150 B of the clamps  120  are compressed against the projections  150 A, thereby securing the upper  101  and lower  102  rings together. 
     The belt  110  is conventionally tensioned by bolts (not shown) that are in line with the belt  110 , and explosive bolt cutters are used to sever the bolts to release the tension. When the tension in the belt  110  is released, the clamps  120  are free to separate from the projection  150 A, thereby decoupling the upper  101  and lower  102  rings. The conventional V band structure also includes means, such as springs, for urging the clamps  120  apart from the projection  150 A, to provide for a reliable separation. Means are also provided to retain the belt  110  and clamps  120  after separation, to minimize the occurrence of “space junk”. 
     For V-bands to work properly, the tension required in the tensioning belt  110  is relatively high (about 3800 pounds for a 38 inch diameter; 6800 pounds for a 66 inch diameter). This high tension requires radial stiffeners in the rings  101 ,  102 . The sudden release of this stored energy generates high shock, and imposes additional requirements on the means used to retain the fast moving belt and clamps after separation. Because of the high tension requirements, the combined weight of the belt, clamps, and ancillary required devices is substantial (as much as 25 pounds for a 38 inch diameter V-band structure). The high tension requirements of V-bands often require specialized tools and instruments to tension the band. The high tension and high release shock effects also limits the reliable life of the components, thereby limiting the amount of testing that can be applied to the components that are actually flown. 
     Another structure that is commonly used to provide for an easily separable connection is an explosive frangible joint, as typified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,685,376 and 5,390,606. An explosive detonating cord is placed within a contained space that forms the frangible joint between the two items. Separation is achieved by detonating the cord within the contained space, forcing a rapid crack propagation through the frangible joint. Although the weight of an explosive frangible joint is less than that of an equivalent sized V-band, it is still substantial (as much as 17 pounds for a 38 inch diameter joint). The destructive nature of this separation system precludes testing of the joints that are actually flown. 
     Each of the aforementioned separation connectors also imparts a substantial shock to the connected items upon separation, and the explosive nature of the devices used for separation introduce a risk of personal injury, particularly during pre-launch assembly and testing. Because of the shock effects, such separation connectors are not commonly used on items that are routinely disassembled for storage or transport. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a separation connector that is light weight. It is a further object of this invention to provide a separation connector that allows for repeated testing. It is a further object of this invention to provide a separation connector that allows for separation with minimal shock effects. It is a further object of this invention to provide a method for connecting components that is simple, secure, and reliable. It is a further object of this invention to provide a connector component that is stiff, strong, and easy to use. 
     These objects and others are achieved by a separation connector that comprises a plurality of leaves with leaf lips that are secured within a mating surface by a tensioned band. The leaves and mating surface are designed such that the tension required on the tensioned band is significantly less than the tension required on a V-band. In a preferred embodiment, the tensioned band is detensioned by a thermal device that melts, decomposes, or severs the band. When the band is detensioned, springs urge the leaves away from the mating surface, thereby allowing for the separation of the connected items. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is explained in further detail, and by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an example prior art V-band separation connector. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an example separation connector in accordance with this invention. 
     FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate the coupling of two items via an example separation connector in accordance with this invention. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an example vehicle coupling system in accordance with this invention. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an example tension and detension system in accordance with this invention. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an example spring mechanism for urging a separation of the separation connector in accordance with this invention. 
     FIGS. 7A-7B illustrates an alternative example separation connector in accordance with this invention. 
     FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate an example embodiment of a leaf element of a separation connector in accordance with this invention. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates an example electrical connector of a separation connector in accordance with this invention. 
     FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate example alternative configurations of the leaf elements of separation connectors in accordance with this invention. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates an example dual separation connector in accordance with this invention. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates an example hinged leaf element in accordance with this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an example separation connector  200  for connecting an upper ring  201  and lower ring  202  in accordance with this invention. For ease of understanding, the invention is presented in the context of an aerospace transport system; other applications will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the principles presented herein. The upper  201  and lower  202  rings are typically fastened to the items being connected ( 401 ,  402  in FIG.  4 ), such as a launch vehicle and satellite. Alternatively, the upper  201  and lower  202  rings may be an integral part of the items being connected. As used herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, and “rings” are used for ease of reference and understanding. Alternative arrangements, configurations, and orientations will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, in view of the principles of the invention presented herein. 
     The example separation connector  200  includes leaf elements  210  secured to the lower ring  202  that each have a leaf lip  211  that conforms to a recess  212  in the upper ring  201 . The leaf elements  210  also include a filament groove  214  that is used to position a filament ( 320  in FIG. 3D) about a perimeter formed by the leaf lips  211 . As discussed below, the leaf elements  210  are typically circularly arranged, although other arrangements may be used to conform to alternatively shaped connected items. An eight leaf configuration is illustrated in FIG. 2 for clarity, although additional leaf elements may be employed. For example, a preferred embodiment for Athena, Atlas, Delta, Pegasus, and other launch vehicles, uses 59 leaf elements  210  for a 38 inch diameter upper  201  and lower  202  ring design. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 are eight spring elements  230  with plungers  231  whose function is detailed below; in a preferred embodiment, two spring elements  230  are provided per leaf element  210 . In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the upper  201  and lower  202  rings are radially stiffened by introducing a circumferential step  206 ,  207  in each. In the upper  201  and lower  202  rings, the stepped surfaces  208 ,  209  serve as the mounting surface for ancillary devices, such as the spring elements  230  and other devices discussed further herein. 
     FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a detailed view of the operation of the separation connector  200  for connecting the upper  201  and lower  202  rings. In FIG. 3A, the upper ring  201  is urged  300  into the leaf elements  210  of the lower ring  202 . In accordance with one aspect of this invention, the leaf elements  210  are arranged so that the unbiased position of the leaf lips  211  conform to the location of the recess  212  in the upper ring  201 ; that is, in a preferred embodiment, when the leaf lip  211  is seated in the recess  212 , the leaf element  210  is in a substantially unbiased and unstressed position. The upper ring  201  is shaped to provide an inclined perimeter surface  305  that deforms the leaf elements  210  outward  310  as the upper ring  201  is urged  300  into the leaf elements  210 . 
     FIG. 3B illustrates the result of further downward urging  300  on the upper ring  201 . The spring element  230  is designed to exert a force, via the plunger  231 , that is larger than the resilient inward force exerted by the resilience of the deformed leaf element  210 . That is, the spring element  230  and plunger  231  are designed such that the urging  300  of the upper ring  201  into the leaf elements  210  continues to deform the leaf element  210  outward  310 . 
     FIG. 3C illustrates the result of further downward urging  300  on the upper ring  201 . In a preferred embodiment, the leaf element  210  is designed to provide a surface  316  that operates in conjunction with a surface  306  on the upper ring  201  to resist downward movement of the upper ring  201  when the leaf lip  211  of the leaf element  210  is adjacent the matching recess  212  in the upper ring  201 . 
     In accordance with this invention, a circumferential band or filament  320  is placed in the filament groove  214  of the leaf element  210 , and tensioned to exert an inward force  321  to urge the leaf lips  211  of the leaf elements  210  into the conforming recess  212  in the upper ring  201 . In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the filament  320  is a polymer having a high strength and stifffiess to weight ratio, such as KEVLART™ (Dupont) or VECTRAN™ (Hoechst Celanese). It is significant to note that the tension of the filament  320  need only overcome the aforementioned force of the springs  230  in order to urge the leaf lips  211  into the recess  212 . For improved load bearing potential, the filament  320  is further tensioned, as discussed below. It is also significant to note that in the tensioned position of FIG. 3D, the leaf elements  210  are in their substantially unstressed, non-deformed, positions, thereby providing near maximum load bearing potential. The leaf lip  211  of each leaf element  210  and the recess  212  of the upper ring  201  are designed to conform as closely as practical, thereby distributing the potential compression and expansion loads throughout the bearing surfaces  311  of the leaf lip  211  and recess  212 . As discussed below with reference to FIGS. 8A-8D, to reduce manufacturing costs, the leaf element  210  is preferably flat, whereas the recess  212  is typically curved, and some stress is introduced as the flat leaf element  210  is tensioned to conform to the recess  212 . In a preferred embodiment, each leaf element  210  is less than two inches long and the perimeter of the upper ring  201  at the recess  212  is typically over  30  inches, and thus the stress induced by the bending of the leaf element  210  to conform to the recess  212  is minor. In a maximum load bearing embodiment, flats are introduced in the recess  212  to conform to the flat profile of the leaf lip  211 , as illustrated in FIG.  8 B and discussed further below. 
     Although the bearing surfaces  311  are illustrated as being significantly sloped, for ease of illustration, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the bearing surfaces  311  should be substantially perpendicular to the lines of compression and expansion forces, the inclination being provided to ease the release of the leaf lip  211  from the recess  212 . In a preferred embodiment, to provide a substantial bearing surface  311  while allowing for an ease of release of the leaf lip  211 , the slopes of the bearing surfaces  311  is 15 degrees. 
     As is evident from the sequence of FIGS. 3A-3D, the connection of items via a separation connector  200  in accordance with this invention is a relatively simple press  300  and tension  321  process. In a typical staged assembly process, as illustrated for example in FIG. 4, each stage  401  is merely positioned above the prior stage  402  and lowered until the leaf lips  211  of the leaf elements  210  of the lower ring  202  are adjacent the recess  212  of the upper ring  201 . The lowering or urging of the stage  401  into the lower ring  202  has the effect of increasing the perimeter formed by the leaf lips  211 , due to the sloped perimeter  305  of the upper ring  201 . If the filament  320  is placed about the perimeter before the stages are positioned, sufficient slack is provided to allow the perimeter of the leaf lips  211  to be expanded. When the leaf lips  211  are adjacent the recess  212 , the perimeter of the leaf lips  211  is subsequently returned to its original diameter by a tensioning of the filament  320 , typically via a ratchet or other tension retaining device. 
     Illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example tension device  550  and detension device  570  that are a mounted on the lower ring  202 . In the example embodiment of FIG. 5, a free end  320 A of the filament  320  is secured to the detension device  570  and, as illustrated by dashed lines, is routed  320 A- 320 B through the detension device  570 . Alternatively, the filament  320  may be a continuous loop that is sized to be slightly larger than the largest perimeter formed when the leaf lips  211  are deformed by the insertion of the upper loop  201 , thereby obviating the need to secure it to the detension device  570 . The filament  320  is routed about the perimeter formed by the leaf lips of leaf elements  210 A- 210 N, where N symbolizes the total number of leaf elements  210 . The filament groove  214  of at least one of the leaf elements  210 A- 210 N is shaped so as to retain the filament  320  after it is detensioned. This retention also aids the routing  320 B- 320 C of the filament  320  about the perimeter. The filament end  320 D is routed through the detension device  570 , as indicated by dashed lines, and secured to the tension device  550 . If the filament  320  is continuous, the portion of the filament  320  that is adjacent the tension device  550  is secured to the tension device  550 . A rotation of the tension wheel  560  in the direction  565  tensions the filament  320  about the perimeter formed by the leaf lips of leaf elements  210 A- 210 N. In a preferred embodiment, the tension wheel  560  is ratcheted  562  to retain the tension. In a preferred embodiment, a 450 pound tension has been calculated to be sufficient to support an axial load of over 140,000 pounds and lateral moment over 825,000 inch-pounds using the aforementioned 38 inch diameter configuration of 59 leaf elements  210 . In this configuration, the leaf elements  210  are made of aluminum alloy (6061-T6), approximately two inches tall, two inches wide, and less than a quarter inch thick. The leaf lip  211  and recess  212  are also less than a quarter inch in depth. The upper  201  and lower  202  rings are made of aluminum alloy (7075-T7). 
     The release of the connection between the upper  201  and lower  201  rings is effected by detensioning the filament  320 . In a preferred embodiment, two redundant electric thermal line detensioners  571 A,  571 B heat the filament  320  to its melting point, or decomposition point, and redundantly detensions both ends  320 A-B,  320 C-D within 30 seconds. An example thermal line detensioner is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,873, and is incorporated by reference herein. Depending upon the filament  320  material composition, the detensioning occurs as a result of filament  320  stretching or breaking, or both, at or near its melting or decomposition point. Alternative detensioning means, common in the art, can be used as well. For example, the tension wheel  360  may contain a clutch or latch that can be remotely released. In like manner, the tension device  550  may include an electric motor, that allows for remote tensioning as well as detensioning. Because the tension on the filament  320  is substantially less (about ⅛th) than the conventional V-band tension, and because the thermal detensioning process is a relatively slower process, the shock that is introduced by the de-tensioning of the filament  320  is substantially less  25  than the shock that is introduced by the de-tensioning of the conventional V-band. The preferred use of a thermal line de-tensioner also avoids the shock effects and risk of potential injury typically associated with explosive de-tensioning means. 
     When the filament  320  is detensioned, the leaf elements  210  are urged by the spring element  230  and plunger  231  to the deformed positions illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C. Ancillary devices are employed in a preferred embodiment to urge the upper ring from the lower ring. FIG. 6 illustrates an example spring device  680  that urges the upper ring  201  from the lower ring  202  in a direction  600 . In a preferred embodiment, multiple springs  680  are affixed to the lower ring  202  to provide a uniform upward  600  urging force; the upper ring  201  is keyed to the lower ring  202 , and a button  681  from each spring  680  seats the spring  680  into a corresponding recess  682  in the upper ring  201 . Because the direction  600  is opposite to the direction  300 , the sequence of operations illustrated in FIGS.  3 C- 3 B- 3 A is retraced, thereby separating the upper  201  and lower  202  rings. 
     It is important to note that, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the plunger  231  urges the leaf element  210  outward  310  such that a gap  375  exists between the farthest extent of the leaf lip  211  and the inclined surface  305  of the upper ring  201 . In this manner, when the plunger  231  releases the coupling of the leaf elements  210  from the upper ring  201  by urging the leaf lip  211  from the recess  212 , the leaf elements  210  are not obstructed by the upper ring  201 . When the leaf lip  211  falls away, or is urged away, from the plunger  231  in a direction opposite direction  300  in FIG. 3A, the resilient force of the leaf element  310  against the inclined surface  305  of the upper ring  201  further urges the separation of the upper ring  201  from the lower ring  202  in the direction opposite to direction  300 , resulting in the decoupled state illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     It is significant to note that upon separation, the primary components of the separation connector  200  remain intact; only the filament  320  is affected by the decoupling process. As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment, one or more of the filament grooves  214  are formed so as to retain the filament  320  after it is detensioned. Because only the filament  320  is affected by the decoupling process, a separation connector in accordance with this invention allows for rapid and efficient coupling and decoupling during prelaunch test and assembly. 
     FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an alternative embodiment of a separation connector  200 ′. Items having the same function as in prior figures are illustrated with the same reference numeral. In this alternative embodiment, the unbiased and unstressed position of the leaf element  710  is positioned such that a gap  775  exists between the leaf lip  211  and the farthest extent of the lower bearing surface  711  of the upper ring  201  when the leaf element  710  is in an unbiased position, as illustrated in FIG.  7 A. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the filament  320  in this embodiment is used to tension and deform the leaf element  710  so as to seat the leaf lip  211  of the leaf element  710  into the recess  212  of the upper ring  201 . Note the example C-shaped filament groove  214  in FIG. 7B; the C-shape retains the filament after detensioning, as discussed above. In this embodiment, when the filament  320  is detensioned, the resilience of the leaf element  710  forces the leaf element  710  to its unbiased position shown in FIG. 7A, thereby releasing the upper ring  201  from the lower ring  202 . As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, the use of the resiliency of the leaf element  710  to urge the leaf lip  211  from the recess  212  obviates the need for the spring structures  230  of FIG. 2, but the reduced load bearing capabilities of the deformed and stressed leaf elements  710  of this embodiment limits its use to a reduced load, as compared to the substantially unstressed leaf elements  210  of FIG.  2 . 
     The foregoing illustrates the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within its spirit and scope. The following alternative embodiments illustrate such varied arrangements. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the upper ring  201  is circular, whereas the leaf elements  210  are substantially flat elements arranged in a circular perimeter. The meeting of the flat surface  811  of the leaf element  210  and curved perimeter  812  of the recess  212  in the upper ring  201  provides contact only where the flat surface  811  is tangent  815  to the curved perimeter  812 . This configuration introduces a stress on the leaf elements  210  to conform to the curved perimeter  812 . Where maximum load bearing potential is required, flats  825  as in FIG. 8B are used. Alternatively (not shown), the leaf lips  211  may be formed as a curved surface to conform to a curved perimeter  812 . In these embodiments, because the resiliency of the leaf element does not act to urge the leaf lip  211  out of the recess  212 , greater strength springs  230  are required to urge the leaf lip  211  out of the recess  212 . Each of these alternatives require a more complex manufacturing process. 
     In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8C, the leaf element  810  contains cuts  818  that allow for a lower stress deformation of the leaf lip  211  to better conform to a curved perimeter when the filament  320  is circumferentially tensioned, as illustrated in FIG.  8 D. This embodiment allows for the manufacture of a constant depth recess  212  in the upper ring  201  and a substantially flat leaf element  810 ; it also provides for a more uniform distribution of load within the recess  212 . As illustrated in FIG. 8D, the tensioning of the filament (not shown) introduces a curvature to the leaf element  810 , and the resiliency of the leaf element  810  will cause the leaf lip  211  to spring back to its original flat shape when the filament is detensioned, thereby acting to urge the extremities of the leaf lip  211  out of the recess  212 . It should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, the cuts  818  are shallow, and do not extend into upright portion  830  of the leaf element  810 . In this manner, the leaf element  210  retains its lateral strength and integrity to support high lateral forces. FIG. 8C illustrates a top and front profile of a preferred embodiment of a leaf element  810  having relatively small cuts  818 , as used in the aforementioned  59  leaf element,  38  inch diameter circular configuration. Also shown in FIG. 8C are end sections  816 . In this embodiment, the filament grooves  214  are formed such that the filament  320  is retained by the “C” shape formed within each of these end sections  816 . An “O” shape may also be used, but would require a threading of the filament through each “O”. 
     Typically, some electronic communication or power transmission is required between the connected items. FIG. 9 illustrates mating electrical connectors  981  and  982  that are attached to the upper  201  and lower  202  rings, respectively. As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, the connectors  981  and  982  may contain multiple electrical connections, as required. Note that in accordance with this invention, the electrical mating of the connectors  981  and  982  is effected by the same downward force  300  that effects the aforementioned alignment of leaf lip  211  and recess  212 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement of leaf elements  210  conforms to a structural form of the joined items. In the aerospace industry, cylindrical shapes are common, and FIG. 2 illustrates a corresponding circular arrangement. In accordance with the principles of this invention, other arrangements are possible as well, as illustrated in FIGS. 10-10F. FIG. 10A illustrates an example square or rectangular arrangement; FIG. 10B illustrates an example open arrangement; FIG. 10C illustrates an example triangular arrangement, and so on. These arrangements will typically correspond somewhat to the shape of the shape of the items being joined. For example, the oval arrangement of FIG. 10D may be employed for connecting a wing of an aircraft to the fuselage, the oval shape corresponding somewhat to the profile of an airplane wing. The complex shape of FIG. 10E may be employed for a twin engine jet, such as used on an F-14 or F-15 aircraft. The example arrangement of FIG. 10F may be employed for six triangular shaped satellites that are mounted to a common launch vehicle. These and other configurations and shapes will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the principles presented herein. It is important to note that the perimeter formed by the arrangement of leaf elements  210  should be curved, such that a tensioning of the filament  320  will effect an urging of the leaf lip  211  of each leaf element  210  into the recess  212  of the upper ring  201 . In the conventional forms of FIG. 2, and FIGS. 10A-10D, the leaf lips  211  face the inside of the perimeter formed by the leaf element  210 . As illustrated by the arrows  321  of FIG. 10A tensioning of the filament  320  about the perimeter has the effect of reducing the perimeter, forcing the leaf lips toward the center, and into the corresponding outward facing recess  212 . If the orientation of the radius of curvature changes, the orientation of the leaf lips  211  and recess  212  should correspondingly change, as illustrated by the arrows  321  and  321 ′ of FIG.  10 E. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10E, the leaf elements  210  are positioned such that a tensioning of the filament  320  has the effect of moving the leaf lips  211  in the directions  321  and  321 ′ into corresponding recesses  212 . 
     As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of this disclosure, the load bearing capacity of the separation connector may be increased by a variety of common mechanical design techniques. FIG. 11 illustrates, for example, a separation connector that contains dual rings of leaf elements  210   a ,  210   b  and leaf lips  211   a ,  211   b  on the lower ring  202 , and corresponding dual recesses  212   a  and  212   b  in the upper ring  201 . 
     A variety of other configurations and applications will also be evident in light of this disclosure. For example, the placement of the protrusion on the leaf lip  211  and the recess  212  in the upper ring  201  can be reversed, such that a protrusion from the upper ring  201  is seated into a recess on the leaf lip  211  by the filament  320 . In like manner, multiple protrusions may be placed on each leaf lip  211 , and multiple recesses  212  provided in the upper ring  201  to receive them. That is, in accordance with this invention, the upper ring  201  has a receiving surface that contains an inverse of the mating surface corresponding to the leaf lip  211  of each leaf element  210 ; preferred load bearing mating surface shapes are common in the mechanical arts. 
     In like manner, alternatives to the spring mechanisms  230  of FIG. 2, and  680  of FIG. 6 will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art. A pre-cocked spring, for example, having a release mechanism that forces a sudden release of the plunger  231  may be preferred to provide an impact force on the leaf element  210  to overcome any binding that may occur between the leaf lip  211  and recess  212 . The use of a pre-cocked spring also allows the seating of the leaf lip  211  into the recess  212  via the resilience of the leaf element  210 , thereby eliminating the need for a tension filament  320  and its ancillary components in light load applications. An electromagnetic solenoid or hydraulic device may be used in lieu of the spring mechanisms  230  and/or  680  to provide an impact or continuous separation force via a piston. In like manner, although an embodiment without explosives is typically preferred, an impact force may be imparted by an explosive percussion device. Other urging means, such as leaf springs and the like, are also common in the art. 
     Note that although the leaf element  210  has been presented thus far as a single integral structure, alternative structures are feasible, including a multiple component leaf element. FIG. 12 illustrates, for example, a leaf element  910  having a leaf  915  and a base  917  connected by a hinge  916 . This embodiment allows for the coupling and decoupling of two devices without inducing a deformation of the leaf element  910 . 
     Although the separation connector  200  of this invention is particularly well suited for items that are expected to be uncoupled at some time, the ease of assembly of the separation connector  200  also warrants its use for applications that merely require a reliable and easy to assemble connection, such as assembling a pipeline. In these applications, for example, the requirements for the detensioning mechanism, if any, is minimal. 
     These and other configurations and structures will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the mechanical arts, and are included within the intended scope of the following claims.