Patent ID: 6226991
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
A thermally sensitive actuating device comprising a first member having an opening therein; a thrust member slideably extending through said opening; a retainer carried by said thrust member and normally spaced from said first member; biasing means reacting between said retainer and said first member and normally biasing said thrust member to move in one direction relative to said first member; thermally sensitive strut means accommodated in said opening and bearing at one of its ends on said thrust member and at its opposite end on said first member; and abutment means on said first member in engagement with said strut means for disabling movement of said thrust member in said one direction, said strut means normally having a height sufficient to span that portion of said opening between said first member and said thrust member and react with said abutment means to restrain movement of said thrust member in said one direction, said strut means being collapsible in response to a predetermined increase in ambient temperature thereby enabling said biasing means to initiate movement of said thrust member in said one direction past said abutment means.