| abstract |
A flat-form separation device (12) is made of two half-section members (22, 22') which are fastened together by a series of fasteners (38) to define therebetween a receiving channel within which an expansion device (40) is received. Aside from the receiving channel and any apertures which are to receive mechanical fasteners, the separation device (12) is solid throughout and free of other channels or cavities. The device (12) includes a pair of joinder flanges formed by mating half-flange segments (28a and 28b), which contain apertures (32 and 34) by which the flat-form separation device (12) may be secured to structures (48, 50) which are to be temporarily joined by the device (12). Because of the cross-sectional profile of the half-section members (22, 22'), they may be made by manufacturing techniques, such as machining, which enable the use of alloys or metals which are much tougher and stronger than those which can be extraded to form prior art hollow-form separation devices (14). Several embodiments of the flat-form separation device (12) are disclosed. Both flat-form separation devices (12) and hollow-form separation devices (14) may be combined in a segmented separation structure (10). |