Analysis of Ball Lock Separation Mechanism

Abstract

The ball lock separation mechanism is used in space vehicles. Various parts of space vehicles have to be separated during flight, to jettison burnt out rocket stages and components that are no longer needed, to uncover equipment, or to deploy payloads. In this paper the detailed analysis of a "Ball Lock release mechanism" designed to meet customer specific conditions is presented. Multi-body simulation of mechanism is carried out by using MSC Adams, to assess the displacement, velocity, acceleration, forces and torques acting on released body attached to payload and parent vehicle. Finite Element analysis is employed to assess the contact stresses between Ball and rings in the most heavily loaded zone, which gives the contact deformation and Stress contours.