Stored energy release triggered by piezoelectric element

A water activated release system configured to automatically uncouple an occupant worn harness from a link when immersed in salt water, the water activated release system (WARS) comprising:

• a body having a first end coupled to either the occupant worn harness of the link and a second end coupled to the other of the occupant worn harness of the link,
• wherein the first end includes a power supply and at least one sensor in communication with an electronics package assembly (EPA) having an internal circuit with activated and deactivated states, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense when the WARS is immersed in salt water and trigger the EPA to the activated state, and
• wherein the second end includes a stored energy release assembly comprising:
• a) an actuatable member slidably received within a housing, the actuatable member having an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing to couple the WARS to the link and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing to uncouple the WARS from the link;
• b) a biasing member located between a portion of the actuatable member and the housing, the biasing member configured to bias the actuatable member to the retracted orientation;
• c) a shaft within the housing, the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft;
• d) a retaining member located between the actuatable member and the shaft, the retaining member configured to maintain the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member;
• and
• e) a piezoelectric assembly configured to receive electrical power from the power supply when the EPA is triggered to the activated state, wherein the piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoelectric element configured to selectively engage the retaining member to disengage the retaining member from the shaft and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to bias the actuatable member to the retracted orientation whereby the occupant worn harness is uncoupled from the link.