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Quick-return active material actuator

  • US 9,234,509 B2
  • Filed: 05/24/2011
  • Issued: 01/12/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A quick-return actuator comprising:

  • an actuating SMA wire operable to undergo a reversible change in length that includes a first change in length when exposed to a first external signal so as to be in a first activated state, and drivenly connectable to a load such that the first change causes the load to move from a home position to a first position;

    a de-actuating SMA wire non-antagonistic to the actuating SMA wire, the de-actuating SMA wire operable to undergo a reversible change in length that includes a second change in length when exposed to a second external signal so as to be in a second activated state, and drivenly connectable to the load such that the second change causes the load to move from the first position to a second position; and

    an external member having an insulated interior space with the de-actuating SMA wire disposed therein, wherein;

    the de-actuating SMA wire is to be insulated from the first external signal, thereby rendering the de-actuating SMA wire unresponsive to the first external signal;

    the second external signal is allowed to pass to the de-actuating SMA wire;

    wherein;

    the actuating SMA wire is in a first de-activated state when the actuating SMA wire undergoes a reversal of the first change in length;

    the de-actuating SMA wire is in a second de-activated state when the de-actuating SMA wire undergoes a reversal of the second change in length; and

    the actuating SMA wire and the de-actuating SMA wire are cooperatively configured such that the actuating SMA wire is operable to re-undergo the first change in length when re-exposed to the first external signal to move the load to the first position when;

    the load is in the second position;

    the actuating SMA wire is in the first de-activated state; and

    the de-actuating SMA wire is in the second de-activated state.

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