Patent ID: 6883326
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: F15B,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An electro-pneumatic actuator comprising: a housing having a first portion and a second portion; a pressurized fluid disposed within said first portion of said housing; a sealing component disposed within said second portion for containing said pressurized fluid within said first portion, said sealing component being operable to be at least partially, permanently damaged in response to the application of heat thereto in order to enable said pressurized fluid to be discharged through said second portion of said housing; a heating element disposed adjacent said second portion of said housing adapted to receive a control signal and to heat said second portion of said housing in response to receipt of said control signal, thereby damaging said sealing component and enabling the release of said pressurized fluid from said first portion into said second portion; and wherein said heating element comprises an electrically conductive element wound around said second portion of said housing.