Bistable SME actuator with retainer
First Claim
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1. A bistable shape memory effect, SME, mechanism comprising:
- a housing;
an actuator in said housing for actuation along a travel stroke between first and second positions;
a first SME element in said housing and coupled to said actuator and moving said actuator to said first position upon heating of said first SME element above its transition temperature;
a second SME element in said housing and coupled to said actuator and moving said actuator to said second position upon heating of said second SME element above its transition temperature;
retaining means mechanically frictionally holding said actuator at the end of its travel stroke in one of said positions until actuated to the other position by heating of the respective SME element.
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Abstract
In a bistable shape memory effect, SME, mechanism having first and second opposing shape memory effect, SME, elements (16, 20) moving an actuator (12) along a travel stroke between respective first and second positions upon heating of the respective SME element above its transition temperature mechanical frictional retainers are provided for holding the actuator at the end of its travel stroke, including after cooling of the respective SME element and return repose movement thereof. One embodiment provides a detent retainer (38, 40, 42, 44, 46). Another embodiment provides a friction wedge retainer (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 12c, 12d, 14c, 14d). Another embodiment provides a resiliently biased friction member (50, 52) and a lost motion coupling (56, 58) between the actuator and the SME elements.
113 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A bistable shape memory effect, SME, mechanism comprising:
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a housing; an actuator in said housing for actuation along a travel stroke between first and second positions; a first SME element in said housing and coupled to said actuator and moving said actuator to said first position upon heating of said first SME element above its transition temperature; a second SME element in said housing and coupled to said actuator and moving said actuator to said second position upon heating of said second SME element above its transition temperature; retaining means mechanically frictionally holding said actuator at the end of its travel stroke in one of said positions until actuated to the other position by heating of the respective SME element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A bistable shape memory effect, SME, mechanism comprising:
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a housing; an actuator in said housing for actuation along a travel stroke between first and second positions; a first SME element in said housing and coupled to said actuator and moving said actuator to said first position upon heating of said first SME element above its transition temperature; a second SME element in said housing and coupled to said actuator and moving said actuator to said second position upon heating of said second SME element above its transition temperature; retaining means mechanically frictionally holding said actuator at each end of its travel stroke until actuated to its other position by heating of the respective SME element. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A bistable shape memory effect, SME, mechanism comprising:
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a housing; an actuator in said housing for actuation along a travel stroke between first and second positions; a first SME element in said housing and coupled to said actuator and moving said actuator to said first position upon heating of said first SME element above its transition temperature; a second SME element in said housing and coupled to said actuator and moving said actuator to said second position upon heating of said second SME element above its transition temperature; a resiliently biased friction member applying a force against said actuator generally perpendicularly to the direction of said travel stroke, and a lost motion coupling between said actuator and said SME elements providing lost motion along the direction of said travel stroke, such that after heating of said first SME element and movement of said actuator along its travel stroke to said first position, said first SME element is allowed to repose upon cooling, without moving said actuator from said first position, said lost motion permitting return repose movement of said first SME element by an amount equal to said lost motion without causing return movement of said actuator, said actuator being held at said first position by said perpendicular bias force of said resilient friction member, and such that after heating of said second SME element and movement of said actuator along its travel stroke to said second position, said second SME element is allowed to repose upon cooling, without moving said actuator from said second position, said lost motion permitting return repose movement of said second SME element by an amount equal to said lost motion without causing return movement of said actuator, said actuator being held at said second position by said perpendicular bias force of said resilient friction member. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeEaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
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Original AssigneeEaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
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InventorsKroll, John W., Baran, Michael S., Mading, James E.
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Primary Examiner(s)Ostrager, Allen M.
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Application NumberUS07/288,077Time in Patent Office363 DaysField of Search60/527, 60/528, 60/529, 337/140US Class Current60/527CPC Class CodesF03G 7/065 using a shape memory elementH01H 2061/0122 Two SMA actuators, e.g. one...
