Memory element
First Claim
1. A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy, the memory element comprisingfirst and second portions, each portion having a characteristic crystalline structure, andpartition means for interconnecting the first and second portions, the partition means having an amorphous structure different than the characteristic crystalline structure of at least one of the first and second portions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy includes lead-attachment and shape-memory portions and a partition interconnecting such portions. The lead-attachment and shape-memory portions are comprised of characteristic internal structures, while the partition is comprised of an internal structure dissimilar to the characteristic internal structure of at least one of the lead-attachment and shape-memory portions. Shape-memory effect characteristics of the shape-memory portion are preserved to maintain the memory function of the memory element by configuring the dissimilar internal structure to block transmigration from the lead-attachment to the shape-memory portions of selected contaminant material existing in the lead-attachment portion. The partition functions as a contaminant filter to control the concentration of contaminant material in the shape-memory portion, thereby enhancing the durability of the memory element. A method is disclosed of altering the first crystalline structure of an uncontaminated memory element to provide the dissimilar, contaminant migration-blocking, internal structure.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy, the memory element comprising
first and second portions, each portion having a characteristic crystalline structure, and partition means for interconnecting the first and second portions, the partition means having an amorphous structure different than the characteristic crystalline structure of at least one of the first and second portions.
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7. A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy, the memory element comprising
first and second portions, each portion having a characteristic internal structure, and partition means for interconnecting the first and second portions, the partition means having a dissimilar internal structure.
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19. A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy, the memory element comprising
a lead-attachment portion, a shape-memory portion, and barrier means interconnecting the lead-attachment and shape-memory portions for blocking transmigration of selected ions from the lead-attachment portion to the shape-memory portion so that reverse martensitic transformation of the shape-memory portion at temperatures in excess of a threshold transformation temperature is not impaired due to the presence of said selected ions in the shape-memory portion.
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27. A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy having a first internal structure, the memory element comprising
a first portion having said first internal structure, a second portion having said first internal structure, and partition means for interconnecting the first and second portions, the partition means having a dissimilar second internal structure, the partition means being formed by exposing a selected portion of the first internal structure between the first and second portions to an energy source.
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32. A memory assembly comprising
a memory element made of a shape-memory alloy, the memory element including a lead-attachment portion and a shape-memory portion, each of said portions having a characteristic internal structure, and an electrically conductive lead connected to the lead-attachment portion, the memory element further including partition means for interconnecting the lead-attachment and shape-memory portions, the partition means defining a thermally-stressed zone having an internal structure dissimilar to at least one of the characteristic internal structures of the memory element induced by exposure to thermal stress before the lead is connected to the lead-attachment Portion.
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35. A memory assembly comprising
a memory element made of a shape-memory alloy, the memory element including a lead-attachment portion and a shape-memory portion, and a silver lead connected to the lead-attachment portion, the lead-attachment portion providing a source of silver ions extant therein and communicated from the silver lead, the memory element further including means interconnecting the lead-attachment and shape-memory portions for regulating transfer of silver ions from the lead-attachment portion to the shape-memory portion to control the concentration of silver in the shape-memory portion.
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36. A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy having a crystalline internal structure, the memory element comprising
partition means for dividing the shape-memory alloy into first and second portions, the partition means having a dissimilar internal structure.
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37. A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy, the memory element comprising
first and second portions having first internal structures, and partition means for separating the first and second portions, the partition means having a dissimilar second internal structure.
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38. A method of making a temperature-activated memory element, the method comprising the steps of
providing a mechanism made of a shape-memory alloy having a crystalline structure, exposing a selected portion of the mechanism to an energy source to divide the mechanism into first and second portions interconnected by the selected portion, and continuing the exposing step for at least a predetermined period of time sufficiently to disrupt the crystalline structure of the selected portion to alter the crystalline structure to provide a dissimilar structure configured to block transmigration of selected ions between the first and second portions.
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43. A method of making a temperature-activated memory element, the method comprising the steps of
providing a mechanism made of a shape-memory alloy having a crystalline structure, thermally stressing a selected portion of the mechanism to divide the mechanism into first and second portions interconnected by the selected portion and alter the crystalline structure to provide a dissimilar structure configured to provide means for blocking transmigration of selected ions between the first and second portions.
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45. A memory element comprising
lead-attachment and shape-memory portions made of a shape-memory alloy, and barrier means communicating with the lead-attachment and shape-memory portions for blocking transmigration of selected ions from the lead-attachment portion to the shape-memory portion.
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48. A memory assembly comprising
a lead-attachment element made of a shape-memory alloy, a shape-memory element made of the shape-memory alloy, an electrically conductive lead, means for coupling the electrically conductive lead to the lead-attachment element, barrier means communicating with the lead-attachment and shape-memory elements for regulating transfer of selected ions indigenous to at least one of the electrically conductive lead and the coupling means from the lead-attachment element to the shape-memory element to control the concentration of said selected ions in the shape-memory element.
Specification