Patent ID: 8899038

Claim:
An actuator comprising: a capturing part attachable to a first object, the capturing part being formed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion; a retained part attachable to a second object, the retained part being formed of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion; at least one heating element disposed to apply heat to at least one of the retained part and the capturing part responsive to selective application of power to the at least one heating element; an actuation indicator that provides an indication signal to a remote operator as to whether the retained part is disposed within the capturing part; and a kickoff spring disposed at the capturing part, wherein the retained part is insertable into the capturing part in a first state of the actuator, wherein the retained part is held in contact with the capturing part via an interference fit to hold the first and second objects proximate to each other in a second state of the actuator, wherein the retained part is ejected from the capturing part in a third state of the actuator, wherein the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion are different from each other such that applying heat via the at least one heating element causes a transition between the second state of the actuator, one of the first and third states of the actuator and wherein a spring force of the kickoff spring ejects the retained part responsive to a transition from the second state to the third state to separate the second object from the first object, and wherein the retained part comprises a plug back and a plug body, the plug body forming a cavity into which the kickoff spring is disposed in the first state of the actuator.