Patent ID: 8657056

Claim:
An activated-stroke actuator of the type comprising a body housing a piston connected to a rod projecting at the end of said body and a gas generator for propelling said piston in response to an activation command, comprising a return-braking arrangement, with an inertial actuating threshold, acting between the rod and the body in order to brake said rod only when it is subjected to a return force with an acceleration having a value above a threshold value, wherein said gas generator comprises pyrotechnic actuation mounted in said body opposite said piston, wherein said return-braking arrangement comprises at least one ball housed in an annular cavity formed between said rod and an inner wall of said body, wherein said cavity comprises two adjacent portions in the continuation of one another, a first portion close to the piston and having a radial height greater than the diameter of said at least one ball, and a second portion having a radial height which decreases from the end of said first portion, said at least one ball engaging in said second portion when said return force is applied to said rod under an acceleration with a value above the aforementioned threshold value, wherein said braking arrangement additionally comprises a spring for retaining said at least one ball in said first portion, at rest; and wherein said spring is installed in said second portion and is mounted in compression between said at least one ball and one end of said cavity.