Patent ID: 7735405

Claim:
A pyrotechnic actuator comprising: a housing; a combustion chamber located in the housing; a pyrotechnic charge disposed in the combustion chamber for producing a combustion gas; an initiator associated with the combustion chamber; a piston disposed in the housing for movement from an extended position to a retracted position in response to combustion of the pyrotechnic charge, the piston including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the combustion chamber carried at the proximal portion; and a stationary member disposed within the piston and arranged to engage a stop mechanism positioned within the housing for opposing a combustion force to proximally displace the piston; wherein the combustion chamber is defined by a thin walled member carried within the piston and arranged to retract with the piston such that the combustion chamber translates with the piston, the piston having a pin at least partially extending from the housing when the piston is in the extended position; and wherein combustion of the pyrotechnic charge moves the piston to pull the pin completely within the housing.