SME shutter mechanism
First Claim
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1. A shape memory effect, SME, shutter mechanism comprising:
- a shutter movably mounted in a housing for actuation between given positions; and
SME means in said housing for actuating said shutter in response to a given level of current flow through said SME means causing I2 R heating of the latter above its transition temperature, said SME means comprising an SME element directly internally heated by current flow through said SME element itself.
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Abstract
A shutter 4 is movably mounted in a housing 6 for actuation between given positions by an SME (shape memory effect) element 8 in response to a given level of current flow through the SME element 8 causing I2 R heating of the latter above its transition temperature. The shutter 4 may be an indicator flag exposed by a window 10 in the housing 6, or may interrupt an optic beam 22.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A shape memory effect, SME, shutter mechanism comprising:
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a shutter movably mounted in a housing for actuation between given positions; and SME means in said housing for actuating said shutter in response to a given level of current flow through said SME means causing I2 R heating of the latter above its transition temperature, said SME means comprising an SME element directly internally heated by current flow through said SME element itself. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A shape memory effect, SME, shutter mechanism comprising:
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a shutter movably mounted in a housing for actuation between given positions; SME means in said housing for actuating said shutter in response to a given level of current flow through said SME means causing I2 R heating of the latter above its transition temperature; terminal means in said housing for completing an electrical circuit through said SME means;
wherein;said shutter is mounted to said SME means and moved thereby between said given positions; said SME means comprises a shaft mounted in said housing at its opposite ends; said shutter is mounted on said shaft between said ends; said terminal means engage said ends of said shaft; said shaft rotates axially in response to I2 R heating thereof above said transition temperature; said ends of said shaft are nonrotatably secured in said terminal means and said shaft torsionally rotates.
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Specification