Patent ID: 7261038

Claim:
A low shock separation joint for coupling a first structure to a second structure comprising: a male member having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a plurality of first protrusions formed on and extending from the first side, and a plurality of second protrusions formed on and extending from the second side; a split female member having a first half structure and a second half structure, the first half structure having a first flange and a plurality of first flange protrusions formed on and extending from the first flange, the second half structure having a second flange and a plurality of second flange protrusions formed on and extending from the second flange, the first flange opposing the second flange, and the first flange protrusions and the second flange protrusions extending toward one another, wherein the plurality of first protrusions are configured to fit between and mate with the plurality of first flange protrusions, the plurality of second protrusions are configured to fit between and mate with the plurality of second flange protrusions, the plurality of first flange protrusions are configured to fit between and mate with the plurality of first protrusions, and the plurality of second flange protrusions are configured to fit between and mate with the plurality of second protrusions to prevent separation of the separation joint under tensile and compressive forces, and wherein the split female member is configured to clamp and hold the male member without any external fastening mechanism holding the first flange and the second flange to the male member; the first half structure comprising a first cavity formed therein, and the second half structure comprising a second cavity formed therein, the first cavity and the second cavity forming a cavity for the female member when the first half structure and the second half structure are placed together; the first and second flanges extending away from the cavity, and the female member separating the cavity from the male member, when the first half structure and the second half structure are placed together; and an explosive device placed within the cavity, the explosive device when detonated releases the male member from the female member, by bending and physically modifying the first flange away from the male member and by bending and physically modifying the second flange away from the male member, without causing breakage of any component of the separation joint.