Patent ID: 7410129

Claim:
A stacking tie-rod release device for a deployable structure in which members ( 101 ) that are to be deployed are fixed on bushings ( 103 ) threaded in superposition on a tie-rod ( 102 ) secured to the body of a satellite against which they are held by a nut ( 111 ) screwed onto the free end of the tie-rod ( 102 ), the device being characterized in that it includes at least two modules ( 106 , 107 ) placed between the nut ( 111 ) and the first of the bushings ( 104 ) and exerting a strong force ( 116 ) on the set of bushings for holding the assembly together, and in that the modules ( 106 , 107 ) include resilient means ( 112 , 113 ) tending to space them away from the tie-rod by exerting lateral forces ( 114 , 115 ) in order to release the set of bushings ( 104 , 103 ) from the action of the tie-rod ( 102 ); the force exerted by the nut ( 111 ) on the modules ( 106 , 107 ) enabling them to be held together by friction opposing said lateral forces ( 114 , 115 ), the assembly being stable under stacking tension and enabling the top end of the stacking column to be released beside the structure to be deployed merely by reducing the stacking tension, thereby leading to a self-releasing effect.