Flow control assemblies having integrally formed shape memory alloy actuators

• US 20050000574A1
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfmeier Prã¤Zision AG Baugruppen und Systemlã¶Sungen
• Original Assignee: Alfmeier Prã¤Zision AG Baugruppen und Systemlã¶Sungen
• Inventors: Szilagyi, Andrei, Von Behrens, Peter Emery, MacGregor, Roderick
• Granted Patent: US 7,093,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/625.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00671 Damper doors moved by rotation; Grilles
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00871 Air directing means, e.g. blades in an air outlet construction of nozzles or air diffusers B60H1/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/00707 Details of pivots of damper doors
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2070/02 using shape memory alloys
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/026 Thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/12 by thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/065 using a shape memory element
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/002 actuated by temperature variation thermo-electric F16K31/025
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/12 built up of sliding members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86734 With metering feature

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a shape memory alloy (“SMA”)-actuated flow controller comprises a number of grille members, each having a long axis and being slideable relative to one another parallel to that long axis. The SMA-actuated flow controller also includes a frame configured to guide the number of grille members, and an actuator disposed within the frame to move at least one of the number of grille members for varying a size of an aperture. Further, the actuator includes an SMA actuator that includes a number of SMA elements each connecting one grille number to another.

Claims

1. A shape memory alloy-actuated flow controller, comprising:

a number of grille members, each having a long axis and being slideable relative to one another parallel to that long axis;

a frame configured to guide said number of grille members; and

an actuator disposed within said frame and configured to move at least one of said number of grille members to vary a size of an aperture, said actuator comprising

a shape memory alloy (“

SMA”

) actuator including a number of SMA elements.

2. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 1, further comprising a restoring mechanism configured to restore said number of grille members to a certain position when none of said number of SMA elements are actuated.

3. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 2, wherein said restoring mechanism is a spring configured to store energy for restoring said number of grille members to said certain position.

4. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 2, wherein said restoring mechanism is another SMA actuator including SMA elements, said another SMA actuator disposed within said frame and configured in an antagonistic arrangement with said SMA actuator.

5. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 1, further comprising a position sensor to generate a signal indicative of a position of at least one of said number of grille members, said position corresponding to said size of said aperture.

6. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 1, further comprising two electrodes configured to introduce current through each of said number of SMA elements to simultaneously move each of said number of grille members.

7. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 1, further comprising a number of electrodes configured to introduce an amount of current through a selectable number of SMA elements to move a selected number of grille members.

8. A shape memory alloy-actuated flow controller, comprising:

a rotatable flap having a shaft along an axis about which said rotatable flap rotates; and

an actuator disposed within said shaft and configured to generate a force causing said rotatable flap to rotate, said actuator comprising

a shape memory alloy (“

SMA”

) actuator including a number of SMA elements.

9. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 8, further comprising a duct housing configured to support said rotatable flap, said duct housing adaptable for disposition in a duct of a ventilation system.

10. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 8, wherein each of said number of SMA elements contact a corresponding point at which to generate a rotating force in a first direction of rotation when said number of SMA elements are actuated.

11. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 10, wherein said corresponding point is positioned on a lever-type structure affixed to said shaft.

12. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 8, further comprising a restoring mechanism configured to restore said rotatable flap to a certain position when none of said number of SMA elements are actuated.

13. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 12, wherein said restoring mechanism is a spring configured to store energy for restoring said rotatable flap to said certain position.

14. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 12, wherein said restoring mechanism is another SMA actuator including another number of SMA elements, said another SMA actuator disposed within said shaft and configured in an antagonistic arrangement with said SMA actuator, said another number of SMA elements providing temperature compensation for said number of SMA elements.

15. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 14, wherein each of said another number of SMA elements contact a corresponding point at which to generate an amount of rotating force in a second direction of rotation when said another number of SMA elements are actuated.

16. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 8, wherein said shaft has an end including an interface configured to receive a translator interface.

17. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 16, further comprising

a drive member including said translator interface;

and

a restoring spring coupled to said drive member.

18. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 17, wherein said interface and said translator interface are helically-shaped and configured to convert an axial force generated by said drive member translating along said axis into a rotational force applied to said shaft, said axial force caused by the contraction of at least one SMA element.

19. An automotive ventilation system comprising:

an air duct configured to pass air; and

an shape memory alloy (“

SMA”

)-actuated flow controller configured to adjust a volume of said air flowing in said duct by contracting at least one SMA element of an SMA actuator, wherein said SMA actuator is disposed within said air duct.

20. The automotive ventilation system of claim 19 further comprising at least another SMA element of another SMA actuator configured in an antagonistic arrangement in relation to said SMA actuator.

21. A shape memory alloy-actuated aperture controller, comprising:

a number of members, each moveable relative to one another to adjust a size of an aperture;

a supporting member configured to guide said number of members; and

an actuator configured to be disposed within said supporting member and to move at least one of said number of members for varying said size of said aperture, said actuator comprising

at least one shape memory alloy (“

SMA”

) element coupling said number of members to said supporting member.

22. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 21, further comprising a restoring mechanism configured to restore said number of members to a certain position when said at least one SMA element is not actuated.

23. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 22, wherein said restoring mechanism is a spring configured to store energy for restoring said number of members to said certain position.

24. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 22, wherein said restoring mechanism is another SMA actuator including at least one other SMA element, said another SMA actuator configured to be disposed within said supporting member and in an antagonistic arrangement with said SMA actuator.

25. A shape memory alloy-actuated aperture controller, comprising:

a rotatable member having a shaft along an axis about which said rotatable member rotates, said rotatable member configured to vary a size of an aperture; and

an actuator disposed within said shaft and configured to generate a force causing said rotatable member to rotate, said actuator comprising

a shape memory alloy (“

SMA”

) actuator including a number of SMA elements.

26. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 25, further comprising a housing configured to support said rotatable member, said housing adaptable for disposition in series with a passage.

27. The SMA-actuated flow controller of claim 25, wherein each of said number of SMA elements contact a corresponding point at which to generate an amount of rotating force in a first direction of rotation when said number of SMA elements are actuated.

28. A shape memory alloy actuator, comprising:

a rotatable member having a shaft along an axis about which said rotatable member rotates; and

an actuator disposed within said shaft and configured to generate a force causing said rotatable member to rotate, said actuator comprising

a shape memory alloy (“

SMA”

) actuator including a number of SMA elements.

29. The SMA actuator of claim 28 further comprising a housing configured to support said rotatable member, said housing adaptable for disposition in series with a passage.

30. The SMA actuator of claim 29, wherein each of said number of SMA elements include

a first end connected to a first attachment point anchored on an immovable structure,

a second end connected to a second attachment point anchored on said immovable structure or another immovable structure, and

a corresponding point located between said first end and said second end, said corresponding point being located off said axis of rotation, where said axis of rotation is located off a plane passing through said first attachment point, said second attachment point, and said corresponding point,

wherein an amount of rotating force is generated by each of said number of SMA elements at said corresponding point in a first direction of rotation when said at least one SMA element is actuated.

31. The SMA actuator of claim 30, wherein said corresponding point contacts a conversion point that is rigidly affixed to an interior surface of said shaft.

32. The SMA actuator of claim 30, wherein said corresponding point contacts a conversion point that is located on a lever-type structure, which is rigidly affixed to said shaft.