US Patent 7922125 Launching vehicle and satellite connection-separation apparatus

A launcher and satellite connection-separation apparatus for launching and satellite vehicles has a band-clamp assembly of a band with an inner channel in which clamps are located in a sliding manner for application to rings interfacing between the vehicles, and a union-separation device on ends of the band for radially tightening the band and controlling opening of the band in first and second phases such that the ends of the band shift in contact with the rings for dissipating by friction elastic energy corresponding to the tightening of the band and separate from the rings until reaching a parking position.