Heat-actuated release mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9470213-B2
Application number	US-201213652552-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 16, 2012
Priority date	Oct 16, 2012
Publication date	Oct 18, 2016
Grant date	Oct 18, 2016

Abstract

A release mechanism passively releases a mechanical coupling as a result of a temperature rise. The release mechanism includes a breakable element, such as a shape memory alloy (SMA) element, that is configured to break when the element is heated to a predetermined temperature. The breakage of the breakable element releases a mechanical coupling, such as a coupling holding a lid onto a container. The release mechanism may be part of a handle or other device to close the container. The release mechanism may have a mechanical load on it prior to release, a load that in part passes through the breakable element. Most of the load may pass through one or more other members of the release mechanism, providing the force for separation after the release mechanism is triggered. The release mechanism may be used to provide a passive way of releasing a mechanical coupling in response to heating.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A containment system comprising:
a container;
a lid; and
a device for pulling the lid against the container to close the container, and for mechanically securing the lid to the container;
wherein the device includes a release mechanism that includes a separable element for passively releasing a mechanical coupling within the device, the mechanical coupling being different from the separable element, wherein the mechanical coupling couples together a first part of the release mechanism and a second part of the release mechanism; and
wherein the separable element breaks when heated to a predetermined temperature, passively releasing the mechanical coupling that couples together the first part and the second part, thereby allowing the lid and the first part of the release mechanism to separate from the container and the second part of the release mechanism.

2. The containment system of claim 1 , wherein the separable element is a shape memory alloy element.

3. The containment system of claim 1 , wherein the separable element has a weakened portion at which the separable element preferentially breaks.

4. The containment system of claim 1 ,
wherein the device is a handle that is rotatably coupled to the container; and
wherein the release mechanism is part of the handle.

5. The containment system of claim 1 , as part of a pressure release system or a fire safety door.

6. The containment system of claim 1 , wherein some of a load through the release mechanism, to hold the lid against the container, passes through the separable element.

7. The containment system of claim 1 , wherein less than half of a load through the release mechanism, to hold the lid against the container, passes through the separable element.

8. The containment system of claim 1 , wherein the device for pulling the lid against the container to close the container, pivots relative to the lid and the container to secure the lid to the container.

9. The containment system of claim 8 , wherein the device for pulling the lid against the container is a handle.

10. The containment system of claim 2 , wherein the shape memory allow includes one or more of a nickel-titanium alloy, a titanium-nickel alloy, a copper-zinc-aluminum alloy, a copper aluminum nickel alloy, and a nickel titanium hafnium alloy.

11. The containment system of claim 2 , wherein heating of the shape memory alloy element causes a stress in the shape memory alloy that causes breakage of the separable alloy when sufficient heating has been achieved.

12. The containment system of claim 3 , wherein the separable element has one or more indentations adjacent to the weakened portion, that provide a reduced cross section to the weakened portion.

13. The containment system of claim 4 ,
wherein the second part includes a tendon that is rotatably coupled to the container; and
wherein the first part includes a first member and a tendon retainer, with the tendon held between the first member and the tendon retainer, prior to separation of the release mechanism.

14. The containment system of claim 13 , wherein the tendon retainer is rotatably coupled to the first member.

15. The containment system of claim 13 , further comprising a latch that is rotatably coupled to the first member.

16. A containment system comprising:
a release mechanism including:
a first member;
a second member;
a latch that is rotatably coupled to the first member; and
a separable element mechanically coupled to the first member and the second member;
a container; and
a lid;
wherein, the separable element breaks when heated to a predetermined temperature, releasing the first member from the second member, and separating the first member from the second member;
wherein the release mechanism separably couples the lid and the container together as part of a device to close the container;
wherein the second member includes a tendon that is rotatably coupled to the container;
wherein the release mechanism further includes a tendon retainer, with the tendon held between the first member and the tendon retainer, prior to breakage of the separable element;
wherein opposite ends of the separable element are fixedly attached to the tendon retainer and the latch, respectively; and
wherein more of a load through the release mechanism, to hold the lid against the container, passes through the tendon retainer than through the separable element.

17. The containment system of claim 16 , wherein the release mechanism includes element clamps to clamp the element to the tendon retainer and the latch.

18. The containment system of claim 16 , wherein the release mechanism includes a tensioner that controls the load that passes through tension retainer.

19. The containment system of claim 18 , wherein the tensioner includes a set screw that engages a threaded hole through the latch, with a tip of the set screw in contact with the tendon retainer.

20. A containment system comprising:
a release mechanism including:
a first member;
a second member;
a latch that is rotatably coupled to the first member; and
a separable element mechanically coupled to the first member and the second member;
a container; and
a lid;
wherein, the separable element breaks when heated to a predetermined temperature, releasing the first member from the second member, and separating the first member from the second member;
wherein the release mechanism separably couples the lid and the container together as part of a device to close the container;
wherein the second member includes a tendon that is rotatably coupled to the container; and
wherein the release mechanism further includes a tendon retainer, with the tendon held between the first member and the tendon retainer, prior to breakage of the separable element; and
wherein the tendon retainer includes a roller that is in contact with the latch.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Koehler Frederick B
• Lyman Ward D
• Beard Douglas M
• Lee Anthony O

Classifications

• F03G7/0614 Primary

  using shape memory elements · CPC title

• F03G7/064

  characterised by its use · CPC title

• F03G7/0631

  One-way operation, e.g. release mechanism · CPC title

• F16B1/0014

  Mechanical Engineering · mapped topic

• F03G7/065 Primary

  using a shape memory element · CPC title