Double action spring actuator
First Claim
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1. In a linear double action actuator the improvement which comprises:
- a retractor spring constructed of a shape memory metal and an expansion spring constructed of a shape memory metal, each of said springs being attached at one end thereof to one end of an arm movably supported by and within said actuator, each of said springs being attached at their other end to a stationary member formed within said actuator, means for connecting said actuator to a source of energy and means for supplying said energy selectively to one of said springs, whereby the selective amortizations transforms said energized spring from the martensitic state to the austenitic state thereby slidably moving said movable arm in the desired direction within said actuator, said springs being substantially parallel at all times to each other and to the path of travel of said movable arm.
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Abstract
Electrically operated linear actuators are provided wherein both the forward and rearward motions are obtained by heating a shape memory metal to its austenitic state and thereafter cooling it to its martensitic state. One shape memory metal forms a retractor spring while the other shape memory metal forms an expansion spring.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. In a linear double action actuator the improvement which comprises:
a retractor spring constructed of a shape memory metal and an expansion spring constructed of a shape memory metal, each of said springs being attached at one end thereof to one end of an arm movably supported by and within said actuator, each of said springs being attached at their other end to a stationary member formed within said actuator, means for connecting said actuator to a source of energy and means for supplying said energy selectively to one of said springs, whereby the selective amortizations transforms said energized spring from the martensitic state to the austenitic state thereby slidably moving said movable arm in the desired direction within said actuator, said springs being substantially parallel at all times to each other and to the path of travel of said movable arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a linear double action actuator the improvement which comprises:
a retractor spring constructed of a shape memory metal and an expansion spring constructed of a shape memory metal, each of said springs being attached at one end thereof to one end of an arm movably supported by and within said actuator, each of said springs being attached at their other end to a stationary member formed within said actuator, means for connecting said actuator to a source of energy and means for supplying said energy selectively to one of said springs, whereby the selective amortizations transforms said energized spring from the martensitic state to the austenitic state thereby moving said movable arm in the desired direction within said actuator, said retractor spring is contained within said expansion spring.
Specification