Modular actuator system employing shape memory alloy
First Claim
1. A modular actuator system, comprising:
- at least two shaft elements arranged parallel to each other and extending in a first direction;
at least two blade elements mounted on each shaft element in different horizontal levels along each of the at least two shaft elements and substantially perpendicular to the first direction, with all blade elements mounted on one of the shaft elements being fixedly secured thereto, whereas at least one of the blade elements mounted on another shaft element can rotate around the axis of this other shaft element; and
at least three shape memory alloy (SMA) wires to connect the blade elements with each other and a fixed position, with power being supplied to one of the SMA wires leading to a rotation of all blade elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a modular actuator system including at least two shaft elements arranged parallel to each other and extending in a first direction, at least two blade elements mounted on each shaft element in different horizontal levels substantially perpendicular to the first direction, with all blade elements mounted on one of the shaft elements being fixedly secured thereto, whereas at least one of the blade elements mounted on another shaft element can rotate around the axis of this other shaft element, and at least three SMA wires to connect the blade elements with each other and a fixed position, with power being supplied to one of the SMA wires leading to a rotation of all blade elements.
27 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A modular actuator system, comprising:
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at least two shaft elements arranged parallel to each other and extending in a first direction; at least two blade elements mounted on each shaft element in different horizontal levels along each of the at least two shaft elements and substantially perpendicular to the first direction, with all blade elements mounted on one of the shaft elements being fixedly secured thereto, whereas at least one of the blade elements mounted on another shaft element can rotate around the axis of this other shaft element; and at least three shape memory alloy (SMA) wires to connect the blade elements with each other and a fixed position, with power being supplied to one of the SMA wires leading to a rotation of all blade elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating a modular actuator system comprising the steps of:
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rotating a first blade element of a first type of blade elements arranged to hold at least two shape memory alloy, SMA, wires and to be shaft-mounted, around a first shaft element on a first horizontal level, wherein the first blade element holds a first end section of a first SMA wire and a second end section of a second SMA wire, wherein the second end section of the first SMA wire is kept at a fixed position relative to the first shaft element; rotating a second blade element of the first type of blade elements, or of a second type of blade elements arranged to hold at least one SMA wire and to be shaft-mounted, around the first shaft element on a second horizontal level, wherein the second blade element is mounted on the first shaft element on a second horizontal level and holds a first end section of a third SMA wire; rotating the second shaft element and a third blade element of the second type blade elements, or of the first of blade elements, wherein the third blade element is non-rotatably mounted on the second shaft element, wherein the third blade element holds a second end section of the second SMA wire; and rotating the second shaft element and a fourth blade element of the first type or second type of blade elements, wherein the fourth blade element is non-rotatably mounted on the second shaft element on the second horizontal level and holds a second end section of the third SMA wire.
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Specification