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Actuator and valve assembly

  • US 7,448,411 B2
  • Filed: 04/03/2006
  • Issued: 11/11/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An actuator for selectively moving a part relative to another part, said actuator comprising:

  • a shape memory wire, said wire contracting when heated, one portion of said shape memory wire fixed to a first body, another portion of said shape memory wire coupled to a second body, said second body movable relative to said first body, when heated said shape memory wire contracts and moves said second body in a direction of travel from a first position relative to said first body toward a second position; and

    a magnetic field, said magnetic field generating a magnetic repulsion force on said second body, said magnetic repulsion force acting on and moving said second body in said direction of travel to said second position after said shape memory wire contracts to thereby reduce the load on the shape memory wire when the second body is moved to said second position.

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