Spring-Loaded Mechanical Trigger for Thick Frangible Break Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for self-destructing structures, such as sensor buoys and sealed vessels, face challenges in controlled and reliable scuttling, particularly with thick frangible materials like tempered glass, which are difficult to fracture and require a safe, low-cost, and efficient mechanism for allowing water or air ingress/egress.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical actuator assembly comprising an impact member coupled to a spring arrangement and a restraint member, activated by an electrical power source, which releases to forcibly break a predetermined breakable region, facilitating controlled fracture and ingress/egress of liquids or gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing systems are used to self-destruct thick frangible structures like tempered glass, then the structure can be broken, but the process is unreliable and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arrangement is pre-loaded in a compressed state before activation, storing mechanical energy ready to deliver a powerful impact. The restraint member holds the spring in this pre-charged state until triggered, ensuring the full force is available instantaneously when needed for breaking thick frangible materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical triggering mechanisms with an electrical triggering system. An electrical power source activates a heating element that thermally expands or melts the restraint member, releasing the pre-loaded spring arrangement. This substitution provides more reliable and controllable activation compared to purely mechanical triggers
2Strength
If a mechanical actuator is designed to break thick frangible materials, then it can achieve structure fracture, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The restraint member serves both as a mechanical constraint for the spring and as a thermally-responsive trigger element. The heating element is integrated directly with the restraint member, eliminating separate triggering mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high impact force capability
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint member acts as an intermediary between the electrical heating system and the mechanical spring arrangement. It translates thermal energy from the heating element into mechanical release of the spring, providing a simple yet effective coupling mechanism that avoids complex direct-drive systems
3Reliability
If a trigger mechanism is used to release the spring arrangement, then controlled activation is achieved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical trigger mechanisms with a simple electrical heating system. The heating element, when activated by an electrical power source, thermally affects the restraint member to release the spring. This approach simplifies the triggering system while providing reliable remote or automated activation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint member is designed to change its physical properties in response to thermal energy. By heating the restraint member, its structural integrity changes (through expansion or melting), causing it to fail or release and thereby activating the spring arrangement. This parameter change provides a simple, reliable trigger mechanism
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mechanical actuator assembly effectively breaks thick frangible structures, enabling controlled scuttling of vessels by creating unobstructed openings for water or air entry, ensuring reliable and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical actuator comprises an impact member coupled to a spring arrangement
Implementation Method 2
The heat source, in response to receiving current from the electrical power source, is configured to break the restraint member
Implementation Method 3
allow the spring arrangement to forcibly move the impact member into contact with, and break, the predetermined breakable region
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a structure comprising a predetermined breakable region and a mechanical actuator disposed at or proximate the predetermined breakable region. The mechanical actuator comprises an impact member coupled to a spring arrangement, and a restraint member operably coupled to the spring arrangement. A trigger source is operably coupled to an electrical power source. The trigger source, in response to receiving current from the electrical power source, is configured to release or break the restraint member so as to allow the spring arrangement to forcibly move the impact member into contact with, and break, the predetermined breakable region.