Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A metal hydride actuation device comprising: a container having a metal hydride material located therein, said container being constructed to act as a storage medium for the material and capable of allowing any released gases therefrom to freely pass through the container's walls; means to supply heat to the metal hydride in its container; a first chamber substantially surrounding the container on all sides and having an expandable volume under the influence of gaseous pressure; a second chamber substantially surrounding the first chamber and formed by a housing containing a member capable of reciprocal movement; biasing means in the second chamber to normally maintain the reciprocating member against the first chamber; and means for actuating the discharge of a triggering medium whereby upon the application of heat to the metal hydride hydrogen gas is liberated from the container to build up a gaseous pressure in the first chamber until the pressure is sufficient to move the reciprocating member from its normal position against the biasing member and thereby cause the means for actuating to trigger the medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A metal hydride actuation device comprising: a container having a metal hydride material located therein, said container being constructed to act as a storage medium for the material and capable of allowing any released gases therefrom to freely pass through the container's walls; means to supply heat to the metal hydride in its container; a first chamber substantially surrounding the container on all sides and having an expandable volume under the influence of gaseous pressure; a second chamber substantially surrounding the first chamber and formed by a housing containing a member capable of reciprocal movement; biasing means in the second chamber to normally maintain the reciprocating member against the first chamber; and means for actuating the discharge of a triggering medium whereby upon the application of heat to the metal hydride hydrogen gas is liberated from the container to build up a gaseous pressure in the first chamber until the pressure is sufficient to move the reciprocating member from its normal position against the biasing member and thereby cause the means for actuating to trigger the medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the means to supply heat to the metal hydride is an electrical resistor powered from an external source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container for the metal hydride material is made of a finely meshed material whose hole size openings are considerably less than the average particle size diameter of the material forming the metal hydride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the container is mounted in a third chamber closed on all sides except for at least one exit opening, said third chamber being located substantially within the first chamber so that any gaseous discharge from the third chamber will enter into the first chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the first chamber is a flexible bellows whose lower outer surface contacts the top of the reciprocatable member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the member capable of reciprocal movement is a piston which moves in the second chamber, said biasing member being a coil spring operatively associated with the piston and said means for actuating a discharge being a puncture pin rod encircled by said spring along at least part of its length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising in combination: a reservoir containing a pressurized gas as the triggering medium which is actuated by the means for actuating; said pressurized gas being used to actuate the discharge of a fire suppressant powder material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the metal hydride material used in a powder comprising a calcium nickel alloy hydride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 also including a heat sensing device connected to said means to supply heat to the hydride and operating as a control for its operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said sensing device comprises a bi-metal material which is activated by ambient thermal conditions.