Patent ID: 8616131

Claim:
Equipment comprising a casing, hollow tubular body or container and a rupturing device suitable for rupturing the casing, hollow tubular body or container, the rupturing device comprising at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) element which is connectable by at least one connector to form an annulus, wherein said shape memory alloy has been subjected to a combination of mechanical and thermal treatments and has a selected composition such that upon subsequent heating, in use, to a predetermined temperature, said annulus contracts along its length to provide a rupturing function, wherein the device is mounted around a periphery of said casing, hollow tubular body or container, and is connected to form said annulus and is adapted such that upon subsequent heating, in use, said annulus contracts inwardly to rupture said casing, hollow tubular body or container, wherein the SMA element is itself a loop or coil of a plurality of shape memory alloy wire windings having two loop ends, which are connectable by said connector disposed between the two loop ends.