Satellite deployer door release mechanism

Abstract

A satellite dispenser door release mechanism is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite door dispenser as disclosed herein includes a wire or cable having a first end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser body of a satellite dispenser and a second end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser door of the satellite dispenser; and a pyrotechnic cutter configured to receive the wire or cable in a position to cut the wire or cable upon firing of the pyrotechnic cutter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A satellite dispenser door release mechanism, comprising:
 a wire or cable having a first end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser body of a satellite dispenser and a second end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser door of the satellite dispenser; and   a pyrotechnic cutter configured to cut the wire or cable in response to receiving a signal,   wherein the signal is provided to the pyrotechnic cutter by a control module in response to a determination that a satellite is to be deployed.   
     
     
         2 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a pusher and pusher spring assembly configured to exert a force to push the dispenser door toward an open position when the wire or cable has been cut. 
     
     
         3 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the pusher assembly is biased such that in response to the wire or cable being cut the pusher assembly causes the pusher to exert the force to push the dispenser toward the open position. 
     
     
         4 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the wire or cable comprises 0.032 inch to 0.062 inch steel cable. 
     
     
         5 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a retraction plunger and associated retraction spring configured to retract a door side end of the wire or cable into a cavity upon the wire or cable being cut. 
     
     
         6 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a control module, wherein:
 the pyrotechnic cutter is configured to receive the wire or cable in a position such that the wire or cable is cut upon firing of the pyrotechnic cutter; and   the control module is configured to receive an indication to deploy and to fire the pyrotechnic cutter based at least in part on receipt of the indication to deploy.   
     
     
         7 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 6 , further comprising a driver configured to supply one or both of a driving voltage and a driving current to fire the pyrotechnic cutter. 
     
     
         8 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the signal is based at least in part on one or more of the driving voltage and the driving current. 
     
     
         9 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pyrotechnic cutter comprises a first pyrotechnic cutter and a second pyrotechnic cutter; and   the first pyrotechnic cutter and the second pyrotechnic cutter are fired simultaneously in response to receiving the signal.   
     
     
         10 . A satellite dispenser, comprising:
 a dispenser body that defines an internal payload area;   a dispenser door connected to the dispenser body at a hinged edge; and   a door release mechanism comprising a pyrotechnic cutter, wherein:
 the pyrotechnic cutter is configured to cut the wire or cable in response to receiving a signal; and 
 the door release mechanism is configured to release the dispenser door to be opened at least in part in response to the wire or cable being cut upon firing of the pyrotechnic cutter; and 
 the signal is provided to the pyrotechnic cutter by a control module in response to a determination that a satellite is to be deployed. 
   
     
     
         11 . The satellite dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the door release mechanism further includes a wire or cable positioned in or near the cutter in a manner associated with cutting the wire or cable upon activating the cutter. 
     
     
         12 . The satellite dispenser door release mechanism of  claim 11 , wherein the wire or cable comprises 0.032 inch to 0.062 inch steel cable. 
     
     
         13 . The satellite dispenser of  claim 10 , further comprising a pusher and pusher spring assembly configured to exert a force to push the dispenser door toward an open position upon release of the dispenser door. 
     
     
         14 . The satellite dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the pusher spring assembly is biased such that in response to the wire or cable being cut the pusher spring assembly causes the pusher to exert the force to push the dispenser toward the open position. 
     
     
         15 . The satellite dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the door release mechanism further includes a retraction plunger and associated retraction spring configured to retract a door side end of a wire or cable comprising the door release mechanism into a cavity upon the wire or cable being cut by firing of the pyrotechnic cutter. 
     
     
         16 . The satellite dispenser of  claim 10 , further comprising a control module configured to receive an indication to deploy the satellite, and based at least in part on receipt of the indication to deploy to cause the cutter to be provided with the signal. 
     
     
         17 . The satellite dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein the signal is a driving voltage or driving current. 
     
     
         18 . The satellite dispenser of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the pyrotechnic cutter comprises a first pyrotechnic cutter and a second pyrotechnic cutter; and   the first pyrotechnic cutter and the second pyrotechnic cutter are fired simultaneously in response to receiving the signal.