The present invention relates to a quick circuit breaker, that is, a switch with which an electrical circuit can be disconnected particularly quickly. Such switches are occasionally also referred to as pyrotechnic disconnect devices or as electrical interrupting switching elements. In particular, it is a quick circuit breaker (10) which comprises a current supply contact and a current discharge contact which are connected by a conductor (20) and in which the conductor (20) is guided through a separation chamber (12) and an expansion vessel (18) being provided in the separation chamber (12), the expansion vessel (18) being able to be expanded by an explosive charge. It is further about a method for emergency disconnection of a circuit.

An actuator has a housing (14), a pyrotechnic charge (17) and a piston (11) which transitions into a pin (12) which in the initial state projects out of the housing (14) and upon ignition of the pyrotechnic charge (17) is retracted at least partially into the housing (14). According to the invention, the piston-pin combination consists of a main body (10) which is made of plastic and has a reinforcing element (13) in the region of the pin (12). The reinforcing element (13) has the shape of a sleeve or tube and surrounds the pin (12). It is form-fittingly connected to the pin (12), for example by the sleeve-like or tubular reinforcing element (13) having a shape (22) for reducing the inner cross-section.

An actuator has a housing (14), a pyrotechnic charge (17) and a piston (11) which transitions into a pin (12) which in the initial state projects out of the housing (14) and upon ignition of the pyrotechnic charge (17) is retracted at least partially into the housing (14). According to the invention, the piston-pin combination consists of a main body (10) which is made of plastic and has a reinforcing element (13) in the region of the pin (12). The reinforcing element (13) has the shape of a sleeve or tube and surrounds the pin (12). It is form-fittingly connected to the pin (12), for example by the sleeve-like or tubular reinforcing element (13) having a shape (22) for reducing the inner cross-section.

An explosively propelled piston assembly (EPPA) comprising an optional mounting plate; at least one lower cylinder fastener; a breach bolt with a base and an upward extending member; a breach plate having a plurality of surround openings; a breach gasket having a plurality of openings; a combustion piston with a base, a center opening, and upward extending side wall and a threaded opening; a piston dampening ring; a combustion cylinder having an upper section, a lower section, upward extending members and at least one ventilation bore; and a plurality of threaded plate fasteners. Once the EPPA is assembled, an explosive charge is placed into the EPPA. The charge is then activated which produces a contained explosive force that actuates the piston, causing the piston to extend outward, applying the force onto an object in contact with or adjacent to the EPPA. The force can be used to produce pushing, flipping, rolling or other movement of the object.

An explosively propelled piston assembly (EPPA) comprising an optional mounting plate; at least one lower cylinder fastener; a breach bolt with a base and an upward extending member; a breach plate having a plurality of surround openings; a breach gasket having a plurality of openings; a combustion piston with a base, a center opening, and upward extending side wall and a threaded opening; a piston dampening ring; a combustion cylinder having an upper section, a lower section, upward extending members and at least one ventilation bore; and a plurality of threaded plate fasteners. Once the EPPA is assembled, an explosive charge is placed into the EPPA. The charge is then activated which produces a contained explosive force that actuates the piston, causing the piston to extend outward, applying the force onto an object in contact with or adjacent to the EPPA. The force can be used to produce pushing, flipping, rolling or other movement of the object.

A hood lifting mechanism according to various implementations includes a housing and a piston. A distal end of the piston is urged away from a distal end of the housing to lift a hood upwardly away from a vehicle body in response to the vehicle hitting a pedestrian. To prevent the piston from rattling or moving within the housing while in a stored position, a portion of the piston and a portion of the housing form an interference fit in the stored position. A gas generator in fluid communication with a proximal end of the housing provides sufficient force to overcome the interference fit and urge the distal end of the piston out of the housing.

A pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) actuator includes first and second end caps, an elastic bladder connected to the end caps, and a covering around the elastic bladder and connected to the end caps. At least one of the first and second end caps is configured to move and narrow a distance between the end caps in response to inflation of the elastic bladder by a fluid. At least one of the end caps includes a vent configured to allow the fluid to exit the elastic bladder and collapse the covering after activation of the PAM actuator. At least the covering is configured to provide braking for the PAM actuator. The covering may be configured to collapse at least partially between the first and second end caps to provide at least some of the braking for the PAM actuator.

A pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) actuator includes first and second end caps, an elastic bladder connected to the end caps, and a covering around the elastic bladder and connected to the end caps. At least one of the first and second end caps is configured to move and narrow a distance between the end caps in response to inflation of the elastic bladder by a fluid. At least one of the end caps includes a vent configured to allow the fluid to exit the elastic bladder and collapse the covering after activation of the PAM actuator. At least the covering is configured to provide braking for the PAM actuator. The covering may be configured to collapse at least partially between the first and second end caps to provide at least some of the braking for the PAM actuator.

A pyrotechnic actuator mechanism comprises a cover member which includes a first wall member which is opposed to a release portion of an ignition unit, and a second wall member which is connected thereto and which has a free end portion embedded in a fixing member. When an ignition charge contained in the ignition unit is combusted, then the cover member is moved in the propulsion direction so that a predetermined closed space is expanded in the propulsion direction of a piston, and the movement of the cover member is regulated so that a state, in which the free end portion of the second wall member is embedded in the fixing member, is maintained at a maximum propulsion position of the cover member. Accordingly, the residue, which is produced by the combustion of the ignition charge, is preferably suppressed from being discharged or emitted to the outside.

A pyrotechnic actuator mechanism comprises a cover member which includes a first wall member which is opposed to a release portion of an ignition unit, and a second wall member which is connected thereto and which has a free end portion embedded in a fixing member. When an ignition charge contained in the ignition unit is combusted, then the cover member is moved in the propulsion direction so that a predetermined closed space is expanded in the propulsion direction of a piston, and the movement of the cover member is regulated so that a state, in which the free end portion of the second wall member is embedded in the fixing member, is maintained at a maximum propulsion position of the cover member. Accordingly, the residue, which is produced by the combustion of the ignition charge, is preferably suppressed from being discharged or emitted to the outside.