Distributed activator for a two-dimensional shape memory alloy
First Claim
1. A distributed activation system, comprising a unitary two-dimensional continuous sheet of shape memory alloy having a sufficiently small thickness to limit the lateral flow of heat;
- an insulator positioned on a surface of said sheet of shape memory alloy; and
a plurality of independently controllable heating elements patterned on said insulator, each one of an independently controllable heating element of said plurality providing local heating of an adjacent portion of said sheet such that said adjacent portion assumes a predetermined shape when activated to its threshold temperature, said plurality of independently controllable heating elements being configured to be coupled to a heater control device that selectively passes an electrical current through at least one heating element to provide local heating of said sheet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distributed activation system for a unitary sheet of electrically conductive or insulative shape memory alloy having a sufficiently small section to limit the lateral flow of heat including at least one heating element disposed on the shape memory alloy sheet for locally heating an adjacent portion of the sheet such that the adjacent portion assumes a predetermined shape when activated to its threshold temperature. The activation system may be configured for shape memory alloy apparatus and related methods in combination with a control system for selectively activating discrete shape memory alloy portions with various combinations of at least one heating element that receive an adjustable current such that the resultant local heating causes the sheet to assume a desired overall shape. Methods of forming and selectively activating two-dimensional sheets of electrically conducive and insulative shape memory alloy are further provided.
101 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A distributed activation system, comprising a unitary two-dimensional continuous sheet of shape memory alloy having a sufficiently small thickness to limit the lateral flow of heat;
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an insulator positioned on a surface of said sheet of shape memory alloy; and a plurality of independently controllable heating elements patterned on said insulator, each one of an independently controllable heating element of said plurality providing local heating of an adjacent portion of said sheet such that said adjacent portion assumes a predetermined shape when activated to its threshold temperature, said plurality of independently controllable heating elements being configured to be coupled to a heater control device that selectively passes an electrical current through at least one heating element to provide local heating of said sheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A distributed activation system, comprising:
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a two-dimensional sheet of an electrically insulative shape memory alloy having a sufficiently small thickness to limit lateral flow of heat; a plurality of independently controllable heating elements positioned on a surface of said two-dimensional sheet, each one of an independently controllable heating element of said plurality providing local heating of an adjacent portion of said sheet for locally heating said adjacent portion such that said adjacent portion assumes a predetermined shape; and control means for passing an adjustable electrical current through at least one of said heating element of said plurality of independently controllable heating elements, such that said heating element of the plurality heats said adjacent portion and said adjacent portion assumes said predetermined shape so that said two-dimensional sheet assumes a resultant shape. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for selective activation of a two-dimensional sheet of electrically conductive shape memory alloy having a sufficiently small thickness to limit lateral flow of heat comprising the following steps:
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placing a plurality of heating elements on said two-dimensional sheet such that each one of a heating element of said plurality is assigned to an adjacent portion of said two-dimensional sheet for locally heating said adjacent portion such that said adjacent portion assumes a predetermined shape; electrically insulating said two-dimensional sheet from said plurality of heating elements; c) providing a thermally conductive path between said plurality of heating elements and adjacent portions of said two-dimensional sheet; and d) passing an electrical current through at least one of said heating element of said plurality to an adjacent portion to assume said predetermined shape so that said two-dimensional sheet assumes a resultant shape. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification