×

Method of optimizing memory wire actuator energy output

  • US 10,445,533 B2
  • Filed: 06/30/2017
  • Issued: 10/15/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An apparatus for locking a computing device, comprising:

  • an actuator;

    a locking protrusion connected to a first portion of the computing device;

    a locking receptacle connected to a second portion of the computing device;

    an actuator SMM wire having a first state and a second state and movable between the first state and the second state by the actuator, the first state having a first length and the second state having a second length that is shorter than the first length, wherein moving the actuator SMM wire from the first state to the second state applies a contraction force along a longitudinal direction of the actuator SMM wire; and

    a return mechanism having a return SMM wire with a first state and a second state and movable between the first state and the second state by the return mechanism, the first state having a first length and the second state having a second length that is shorter than the first length, wherein moving the return SMM wire from the first state to the second state applies a return force along a longitudinal direction of the return SMM wire, the return force applied by the return SMM wire pulling the actuator SMM wire toward its first length.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×