Stored energy release triggered by piezoelectric element

Abstract

A stored energy release comprises an actuatable member slidably received within a housing. The actuatable member has an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing. A biasing member is located between the actuatable member and the housing biases the actuatable member to the retracted orientation. A shaft is within the housing with the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft. A retaining member is located between the actuatable member and the shaft. The retaining member maintains the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member. A piezoelectric element selectively engages the retaining member to disable the retaining member and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to place the actuatable member in the retracted orientation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stored energy release comprising:
 a) an actuatable member slidably received within a housing, the actuatable member having an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing;   b) a biasing member located between a portion of the actuatable member and the housing, the biasing member configured to bias the actuatable member to the retracted orientation;   c) a shaft within the housing, the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft;   d) a retaining member located between the actuatable member and the shaft, the retaining member configured to maintain the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member; and   e) a piezoelectric element configured to selectively engage the retaining member to disengage the retaining member from the shaft and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to bias the actuatable member to the retracted orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The stored energy release of  claim 1  wherein the actuatable member includes a pin puller coupled to a locking pin, the locking pin configured to extend outwardly from the housing when the actuatable member is in the extended orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The stored energy release of  claim 2  further including a second biasing member having a first end coupled to the retaining member and a second end coupled to the locking pin. 
     
     
         4 . The stored energy release of  claim 1  wherein the shaft includes a shoulder, wherein the retaining member is configured to engage the shoulder when the piezoelectric element is in a first state and wherein the retaining member disengages the shoulder when the piezoelectric element is in a second state whereby the actuatable member is biased to the retracted orientation. 
     
     
         5 . The stored energy release of  claim 4  wherein the first state of the piezoelectric element is a compressed state. 
     
     
         6 . The stored energy release of  claim 1  wherein the shaft includes tapered ends, the retaining member including a ring configured to engage the tapered end when the piezoelectric element is in a first state and wherein the ring disengages the tapered end when the piezoelectric element is in a second state whereby the actuatable member is biased to the retracted orientation. 
     
     
         7 . A water activated release system configured to automatically uncouple an occupant worn harness from a link when immersed in salt water, the water activated release system (WARS) comprising: a body having a first end coupled to either the occupant worn harness of the link and a second end coupled to the other of the occupant worn harness of the link,
 wherein the first end includes a power supply and at least one sensor in communication with an electronics package assembly (EPA) having an internal circuit with activated and deactivated states, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to sense when the WARS is immersed in salt water and trigger the EPA to the activated state, and   wherein the second end includes a stored energy release assembly comprising:
 a) an actuatable member slidably received within a housing, the actuatable member having an extended orientation wherein a portion of the actuatable member extends outwardly from the housing to couple the WARS to the link and a retracted orientation wherein the actuatable member resides within the housing to uncouple the WARS from the link; 
 b) a biasing member located between a portion of the actuatable member and the housing, the biasing member configured to bias the actuatable member to the retracted orientation; 
 c) a shaft within the housing, the actuatable member configured for sliding movement along the shaft; 
 d) a retaining member located between the actuatable member and the shaft, the retaining member configured to maintain the actuatable member in the extended orientation whereby potential energy is stored within the biasing member; and 
 e) a piezoelectric assembly configured to receive electrical power from the power supply when the EPA is triggered to the activated state, wherein the piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoelectric element configured to selectively engage the retaining member to disengage the retaining member from the shaft and release the stored potential energy within the biasing member to bias the actuatable member to the retracted orientation whereby the occupant worn harness is uncoupled from the link. 
   
     
     
         8 . The water activated release system of  claim 7  wherein the link is further coupled to a parachute riser or an overhead reel. 
     
     
         9 . The water activated release system of  claim 7  wherein the power supply is one or more batteries. 
     
     
         10 . The water activated release system of  claim 7  wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect a change in resistance due to the salinity of the salt water.