Mechanical triggers and triggering methods for self-destructing frangible structures and sealed vessels

An apparatus, comprising:

• a container comprising a predetermined breakable region;
• a mechanical actuator disposed within the container and situated at or proximate the predetermined breakable region, the mechanical actuator comprising:
• a spring arrangement and an impact member coupled to the spring arrangement;
• and
• a restraint member operably coupled to the spring arrangement;
• and
• a heat source operably coupled to an electrical power source and in thermal contact with the restraint member;
• wherein the heat source, in response to receiving current from the electrical power source, is configured to break the restraint member so as to allow the spring arrangement to forcibly move the impact member into contact with, and break, the predetermined breakable region, thereby facilitating ingress or egress of a liquid, a gas or a solid into or out of the container.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a container configured for floatation in a liquid and comprising:
• a first predetermined breakable region at a first location of the container;
• and
• a second predetermined breakable region at a second location of the container spaced apart from the first location;
• a first mechanical actuator disposed within the container and situated at or proximate the first predetermined breakable region;
• a second mechanical actuator disposed within the container and situated at or proximate the second predetermined breakable region;
• each of the first and second mechanical actuators comprising:
• a spring arrangement and an impact member coupled to the spring arrangement;
• a restraint member operably coupled to the spring arrangement;
• and
• a trigger source configured to be, or move into, contact with the restraint member;
• and
• an electrical power source arrangement operatively coupled to the trigger source of each of the first and second mechanical actuators;
• wherein the trigger source of each of the first and second mechanical actuators, in response to receiving current from the electrical power source arrangement, is configured to release or break the restraint member so as to allow the spring arrangement to forcibly move the impact member into contact with, and break, the respective first and second predetermined breakable regions, thereby facilitating venting of air from the container via one of the broken first and second predetermined breakable regions and ingress of the liquid into the container via the other of the broken first and second predetermined breakable regions.