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US 4,577,544 AGranted
Ultrafast thermal actuator
AssigneeICI Americas Inc.
InventorJohn T. M. Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Fast acting actuation system which is especially suitable for automatic sprinklers and other emergency devices. The system includes a fast-acting low mass thermally responsive element comprising a pair of thin metal strips soldered together, a percussion member such as a firing pin which is released when the solder in the thermally responsive element melts, and an actuator, preferably a radially expandable explosive actuator, which is initiated by the firing pin. The actuator when initiated causes rapid actuation of the automatic sprinkler or other device.
Claims3
An actuation system comprising:
- (a) a percussion-initiated radially expandable actuator having a percussion-initiated explosive input charge, an explosive output charge and a casing, at least a portion of which expands radially outwardly when sid output charge is fired;
- (b) a normally retracted percussion member which when released initiates said actuator;
- and
- (c) a thermally responsive fusible link having a thin layer of fusible material for controlling the release of said percussion member.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.