Patent ID: 6357699
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B64G

Abstract:
A tension-relieving apparatus for reducing a level of tension in a structure, the tension-relieving apparatus comprising:a housing having a wall member defining a piston cavity, a rod aperture being formed in a first end of the wall member, the housing adapted to be coupled to a first end of the structure; a piston assembly having a rod and a piston, the rod extending through the rod aperture, the piston disposed in the piston cavity and coupled to an end of the rod, a distal end of the rod adapted to be coupled to a second end of the structure; a spacer member disposed in the piston cavity between the piston and the housing, the rod extending through a central aperture formed in the spacer member, the spacer member being transformable between a first condition and a second condition, the spacer member being operable in the first condition for maintaining the piston at a first distance from the first end of the housing; and a heat source coupled to one of the housing, the piston assembly and the spacer member, the heat source providing heat to selectively cause the spacer member to transform to the second condition wherein the spacer member at least partially melts to permit the rod to advance toward the first end of the housing; wherein advancement of the piston toward the first end of the housing is adapted to relieve at least a portion of the tension in the structure.