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Release device for retaining pin

  • US 5,771,742 A
  • Filed: 09/11/1995
  • Issued: 06/30/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A release mechanism for use in a device which moves a latch in a direction to activate an energy source with the activated energy source releasing a retaining element from engagement with a structure, the release mechanism comprising the combination of an elongate actuating element comprising a head portion having an end carried by the structure and a tail portion having an end carried for movement with the latch, said actuating element being comprised of a shape memory alloy material which has a phase-change transition temperature, said head portion extending along a first path which is constrained from angular displacement relative to the structure, said head portion being free to elongate and contract along the first path, said tail portion extending along a second path which is free to angularly displace relative to the structure and latch;

  • means for heating the actuating element through said phase-change transition temperature for recovery of the actuating element by contraction from a low temperature shape to a memory shape, said tail portion being positioned so that the second path makes an acute angle with respect to said direction of movement of the latch, said contraction resulting in an effective contraction stroke of the actuating element being concentrated in the tail portion with the contraction stroke moving the latch to a position which activates the energy source responsive to said recovery of the actuating element to its memory shape.

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