Non-Pyrotechnic Latch and Release System for Aerospace and Other Applications

American remote Vision Company (ARVC) will continue to research and develop a new non-pryotechnic latch and release sytem for use in servicing and flight release applications, among others. We have built and demostrated prototypes from the 20 pound range to the 2000 pound range. The devices are force multipliers, where the force increases linearly with initial grip force, and exponentially with overall grip length. The prototypes are of two basic varieties (a) linear basket "fingercuff" grippers with actuation mechanisms, and (b) rotational grippers with actuation mechanisms. We have invented a method to precisely control both versions, for controlled release applications. The devices are simple, reliable, inherently reusable, nonfouling, and fault tolerant.