US Patent 10946986 Mechanism for increasing jettison clearance

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a novel system, device, and methods for providing a one-way locking mechanism that changes the shape or stiffness of a structure. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a mechanism for increasing fairing jettison clearance. Embodiments of the present invention permit outward breathing displacement by the fairing, but reduce the inward breathing displacement by the fairing such that the fairing does not hit and damage the spacecraft or vehicle as it is jettisoned from the spacecraft or vehicle.