Circuit interruption device employing shape memory alloy element

A circuit interruption device comprising:

• a support;
• a set of separable contacts being movable between an OPEN condition and a CLOSED condition;
• a first member situated on the support and being movable between an OFF position that corresponds with the OPEN condition and an ON position that corresponds with the CLOSED condition, the movable member being biased toward the first position and having a first surface and a second surface;
• a second member situated on the support and being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the second member being biased toward the extended position and having another first surface and another second surface;
• a transport mechanism comprising a shape memory alloy element that is transformable between a first shape and a different second shape responsive to an electrical pulse;
• in a first configuration of the circuit interruption device, the first member is in the OFF position, the second member is in the extended position, the shape memory alloy element is in its first shape, and the first surface and the another first surface are engaged with one another and are structured to resist movement of the first member away from the OFF position;
• responsive to an electrical pulse, the shape memory alloy element is structured to transform into its second shape and to move the first member toward its ON position;
• in a second configuration of the circuit interruption device, the second member is in the extended position, and the another second surface is engageable with the second surface to resist movement of the first member away from the ON position.