Actuator for emergency operation

An apparatus for operating a driven device in an emergency, comprising:

• an actuator mechanism having a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed within said cylinder and coupled to said driven device, an operational chamber formed by said cylinder and piston, and passage means communicating with said operational chamber;
• a high pressure gas generating source defined by a
• container vessel having an opening, a high pressure gas generating medium contained within said vessel, and a sealing member for sealing said opening of said vessel;
• and
• means for unsealing said sealing member of said high pressure gas generating source in response to an emergency signal from outside of said seal, said unsealing means having a cutter with a sharp tip, spring means cooperating with said sharp tip for applying a force to urge said cutter in to pierce and rupture said sealing member, locking means for locking said cutter against said spring means for holding the cutter in a designated position, having said sharp tip directed toward and held apart from said sealing member, and unlocking means responsive to said emergency operation signal for unlocking said locking means and urging said spring means to advance said cutter causing rupture of said sealing member and thereby permitting a flow of
• high pressure gas from said high-pressure gas generating medium through said opening for passage into said operational chamber and thereby causing said piston thereby to drive said driven device.