HYPERELASTIC SHAPE SETTING DEVICES AND FABRICATION METHODS
First Claim
1. A method of shape-setting a device that is comprised of a single crystal shape memory alloy, the method comprising the steps of heating the device to a first temperature sufficient for annealing the alloy, forming the device into a shape, constraining the device while in the shape, heating the device to a second temperature and within a first time period with the second temperature and first time period being sufficient to cause the alloy to lose its strength, and cooling the device to a third temperature and within a second time period with the third temperature and second time period being sufficient to cause the alloy to form a single crystal.
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Abstract
Shape-setting methods for fabricating devices made of single crystal shape memory alloys. The method include drawing a single crystal of a shape memory alloy from a melt of the alloy. This is followed by heating and quenching the crystal sufficiently rapid to limit the formation of alloy precipitates to an amount which retains hyperelastic composition and properties of the crystal.
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Citations
6 Claims
- 1. A method of shape-setting a device that is comprised of a single crystal shape memory alloy, the method comprising the steps of heating the device to a first temperature sufficient for annealing the alloy, forming the device into a shape, constraining the device while in the shape, heating the device to a second temperature and within a first time period with the second temperature and first time period being sufficient to cause the alloy to lose its strength, and cooling the device to a third temperature and within a second time period with the third temperature and second time period being sufficient to cause the alloy to form a single crystal.
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5. A hyperelastic device made by the steps of providing a single crystal of a shape memory alloy that is drawn from a melt of the alloy, heating and then cooling the crystal in a time period which is sufficient to limit the formation of alloy precipitates to an amount which retains hyperelastic composition and properties of the crystal.
Specification