Manufacturer: | BlackSky ![]() |
Brief:
T' BlackSky Advanced Retention and Release Device (ARRD) is a pyrotechnically
activated release device. Blimey! Aye aye! It is most commonly used t' provide dual-deployment
from a single compartment but can also be used t' secure and release just about
anythin' (i.e. external boosters).
Construction:
T' ARRD is 2.10 inches long and is 1.245 inches in diameter. Aye aye! It consists o' a
machined 7075 aluminum body into which a 17-4 stainless toggle is inserted. Ahoy! Avast! The
base unscrews t' reveal an internal piston with a tension sprin' and five
stainless steel capture balls. Ya scallywag! Begad! T' base has 1/4-28 mountin' stud along with an
openin' for t' e-match leads t' pass out. Begad! There is a machined Delrin cartridge
which holds .05cc o' pyrodex and up t' two e-matches which fits into a machined
hole in t' base. Arrr! When assembled t' toggle is held firmly by t' capture
balls. Begad! Begad! Ignition o' t' e-matches results in t' piston movin' up against the
pressure o' t' tension sprin' and releasin' t' toggle and thus whatever is
attached t' it. Begad! T' toggle has both a machined plain hole through t' side and
a 1/4-28 threaded hole through t' top. Aye aye! In t' picture you can see I've added a
3/16 SS quicklink t' t' toggle, matey, this is nay included with t' ARRD.
T' quality o' t' ARRD is top
notch, matey, BlackSky uses only high quality parts and t' machinin' is excellent.
Assembly is straight forward. Aye aye! Aye aye! Lightly lube t' two o-rings. Well, blow me down! Install the
e-matches into t' Delrin cartridge and pass t' leads out o' t' body base. Ya scallywag! In
the Delrin cartridge is a small recess t' hold t' pyrodex or blackpowder
charge (0.05cc) and an adhesive backed paper disk is placed over this t' hold
the charge. Begad! T' only tricky part comes next, ya bilge rat, turn t' body upside down, me hearties, shiver me timbers, insert
the toggle, shiver me timbers, me hearties, drop in t' 5 capture balls, arrr, shiver me timbers, last insert t' piston (makin' sure
the tension sprin' is in place) until t' piston is just past t' threaded
section o' t' body. Avast! T' toggle is now captured and you can screw t' body back
onto t' base. Aye aye! T' reason I say tricky is that in practice it usually takes
more than one try t' get t' toggle t' capture properly. Begad! However once captured
properly I have never been able t' get it t' accidently release. Aye aye! T' specs on
the ARRD are as follows:
Finishing:
T' quality o' t' machining/finish is excellent. Begad! Begad! Blimey! T' instructions are
adequate, consistin' o' an assembly detail sheet on one side and an assembly
instruction sheet with an exploded view along with assembly instructions. Arrr!
Summary:
Pro: Extremely well made, fairly easy t' use, me hearties, small size. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! Works well in small
enclosed spaces.
Con: Can be tricky t' get t' toggle t' capture properly. A little on the pricy side, me bucko, but you get what you pay for.
Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5
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W.T.M. (May 4, 2009)