Thermally activated initiator assembly

• US 8,230,682 B1
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Sanford, Matthew J., Beam, Victoria L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewin, Allana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Inacay, Brian
• Application Number:
  US12/587,315
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 60527-529, 337142-148, 42 6901- 6903
• US Class Current: 60/527
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/002 actuated by temperature variation thermo-electric F16K31/025

Abstract

A thermally activated initiator assembly uses a first bar that experiences a change in length as a function of temperature. The first bar is coupled to a first support. A second support is pivotally coupled to the first support and to the first bar so that the second support may move relative to the first support when the first bar experiences the change in length. An initiator is coupled to the second support adjacent to the high side of a ramp on the second support. A second bar is rigidly coupled to the first support. The second bar rests on the low side of the ramp prior to the first bar experiencing the change in length. When the first bar experiences the change in length, the second support moves relative to the first support causing the second bar to slide along the ramp until it falls off the ramp'"'"'s high side to strike the initiator.

Claims

1. A thermally activated initiator assembly, comprising:

a first support;

a first bar experiencing a change in length as a function of temperature, said first bar coupled at one point thereof to said first support;

a second support being pivotally coupled to said first support and to said first bar, wherein said second support moves relative to said first support when said first bar experiences said change in length;

a ramp being coupled to said second support, said ramp includes a low side and a high side;

an initiator being coupled to said second support adjacent to said high side of said ramp; and

a second bar being rigidly coupled at one point thereof to said first support, said second bar rests at another point thereof on said low side of said ramp prior to said first bar experiencing said change in length,

wherein, when said first bar experiences said change in length to cause said second support to move relative to said first support, said second bar slides along said ramp and falls off said high side thereof to strike said initiator.

2. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 1, wherein said first bar comprises a material that shrinks as a function of increasing temperature.

3. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 1, wherein said first bar is pivotally coupled to said first support.

4. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 1, wherein said second bar comprises a material that experiences out-of-plane deflection when said second bar slides along said ramp, said out-of-plane deflection serves as a source of potential energy released when said second bar falls off said high side of said ramp.

5. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 1, wherein said second bar includes a protrusion to strike said initiator when said second bar falls off said high side of said ramp.

6. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 1, wherein said first bar comprises a shape memory alloy.

7. A thermally activated initiator assembly, comprising:

a base including a planar surface region;

a bar experiencing a change in length as a function of temperature, said bar coupled at one point thereof to said base with said bar resting on said planar surface region;

a sliding member being pivotally coupled to said base and to said bar, said sliding member includes a flat surface resting on said planar surface region of said base,

wherein said sliding member pivots relative to said base and slides on said planar surface region when said bar experiences said change in length;

a ramp being coupled to said sliding member, said ramp includes a low side and a high side;

an initiator being coupled to said sliding member adjacent to said high side of said ramp; and

a striker bar being rigidly coupled at one point thereof to said base, said striker bar extends over said sliding member, and said striker bar rests at another point thereof on said low side of said ramp prior to said bar experiencing said change in temperature,

wherein, when said bar experiences said change in length to cause said sliding member to pivot relative to said base and slide on said planar surface region, said striker bar slides along said ramp and falls off said high side thereof to strike said initiator.

8. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 7, wherein said bar comprises a material that shrinks as a function of increasing temperature.

9. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 7, wherein said bar is pivotally coupled to said base.

10. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 7, wherein said striker bar comprises a material that experiences out-of-plane deflection when said striker bar moves up said ramp, said out-of-plane deflection serves as a source of potential energy released when said striker bar falls off said high side of said ramp.

11. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 7, wherein said striker bar includes a protrusion for striking said initiator when said striker bar falls off said high side of said ramp.

12. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 7, wherein said bar comprises a shape memory alloy.

13. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 7, wherein said initiator is embedded in said sliding member.

14. A thermally activated initiator assembly, comprising:

a first support;

a bar experiencing a change in length as a function of temperature, said bar pivotally coupled at one point thereof to said first support;

a second support being pivotally coupled to said first support and to said bar, wherein said second support pivotally moves relative to said first support when said bar experiences said change in length;

a ramp being coupled to said second support, said ramp includes a low side and a high side;

an initiator being coupled to said second support adjacent to said high side of said ramp; and

a substantially rigid striker bar being rigidly coupled at one point thereof to said first support, said striker bar rests at another point thereof on said low side of said ramp prior to said bar experiencing said change in length,

wherein, when said bar experiences said change in length to cause said second support to pivotally move relative to said first support, said striker bar slides along said ramp and deflects out-of-plane to store potential energy released when said striker bar falls off said high side thereof to strike said initiator with force.

15. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 14, wherein said bar comprises a material that shrinks as a function of increasing temperature.

16. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 14, wherein said striker bar includes a protrusion for striking said initiator when said striker bar falls off said high side of said ramp.

17. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 14, wherein said bar comprises a shape memory alloy.

18. The thermally activated initiator assembly as in claim 14, wherein said initiator is embedded in said second support.