Patent ID: 7424978

Claim:
A temperature sensitive resettable linear actuator, comprising: a linear actuator housing; a support shaft having a first end portion configured for longitudinal movement within said linear actuator housing and having a second end portion extending from said linear actuator housing, said support shaft configured to translate between an extended position and a retracted position; a shape memory alloy device positioned within said linear actuator housing and coupled to said support shaft for moving said support shaft from the extended position to the retracted position when said shape memory alloy device reaches a predetermined temperature; and a release mechanism configured for slidable movement within said linear actuator housing between a first location to maintain said support shaft in the extended position and a second location permitting said support shaft to move toward the retracted position, said shape memory alloy device coupled to said release mechanism for moving said release mechanism to the second location when said shape memory alloy device reaches the predetermined temperature.