Assemblies including extendable, reactive charge-containing actuator devices

Abstract

An assembly including a support housing and an actuator device. The actuator device includes an extendable initiator cup including at least one non-random fold and at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products. The extendable initiator cup is folded to form a pocket that contains a portion of a moveable element. The extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends from a first length to a second, greater length upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The extendable initiator cup and the moveable element are at least partially disposed within a longitudinally extending bore of the support housing. The extending initiator cup moves the moveable element within the bore. The support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge.

1 . An assembly comprising: 
 an actuator device including: 
 an extendable initiator cup including a cup end wall at one end of a cup side wall, the extendable initiator cup at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products, the cup side wall including a fold whereby a first portion of the cup side wall and a second portion of the cup side wall overlap to form a pocket defined by the second portion of the cup side wall and the cup end wall; and  
 at least one electrical connector in reaction initiating communication with the reactive charge;  
   the extendable initiator cup having a first length prior to reaction initiation of the reactive charge and, upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge, the extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends to a second length, where the second length is greater than the first length;    a moveable element, the moveable element at least partially disposed in the pocket prior to reaction initiation of the reactive charge; and    a support housing including a longitudinally extending bore, each of the extendable initiator cup and the moveable element at least partially disposed within the bore.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the moveable element supports the pocket upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein both the first and the second portions of the cup side wall are disposed parallel a longitudinal axis of the actuator device.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein upon longitudinal extension of the extendable initiator cup, the moveable element extends beyond the support housing bore.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the cup side wall fold at least partially unfolds upon longitudinal extension of the extendable initiator cup.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the moveable element comprises a radially extending protrusion.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6  additionally comprising a housing end stop disposed adjacent a first end of the bore, wherein upon extension of the extendable initiator cup the moveable element moves through the bore until the protrusion contacts the housing end stop.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein the protrusion circumferentially extends around the moveable element.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the moveable element comprises a pin.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the storage chamber is hermetically sealed.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reaction products include a gas.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reactive charge comprises a pyrotechnic.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 a housing end stop disposed adjacent a first end of the bore; and    a cavity between the extendable initiator cup and the housing end stop for receiving a portion of a severable member;    wherein, upon the extension of the extendable initiator cup from the first length to the second length, the moveable element severs the severable member.    
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein the severable member comprises an electrical conductive member.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein the moveable element comprising a non-conductive material.  
   
   
       17 . An assembly comprising: 
 an actuator device including: 
 an extendable initiator cup including a cup end wall at one end of a cup side wall, the extendable initiator cup at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products, the cup side wall including a fold whereby a first portion of the cup side wall and a second portion of the cup side wall overlap, with both the first and the second portions of the cup side wall disposed parallel a longitudinal axis of the actuator device; and  
 at least one electrical connector in reaction initiating communication with the reactive charge;  
   the extendable initiator cup having a first length prior to reaction initiation of the reactive charge and, upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge, the extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends to a second length, where the second length is greater than the first length;    a moveable element including a first end disposed adjacent to the cup end wall; and    a support housing including a longitudinally extending bore, each of the extendable initiator cup and the moveable element at least partially disposed within the bore;    wherein the support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein, during longitudinal extension of the extendable initiator cup, the reaction products push the cup end wall against the moveable element first end to move the moveable element within the bore.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 18  wherein the cup side wall fold at least partially unfolds upon longitudinal extension of the extendable initiator cup.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 17  wherein the moveable element comprises a radially extending protrusion and the support housing comprises a housing end stop disposed adjacent a first end of the bore, wherein upon extension of the extendable initiator cup the moveable element moves through the bore until the protrusion contacts the housing end stop.