MEMORY ALLOY-ACTUATED APPARATUS
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Improved actuator apparatus and methodologies for manufacturing and using the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator apparatus includes an SMA filament that: (1) minimizes size and increases stroke length via a serpentine-like routing of the SMA filament within the device itself; (2) reduces power consumption as a result of a relatively flat stroke force as a function of stroke displacement operating profile; (3) enables the actuator assembly to remain in a fully actuated state, at a consistent stroke force, for longer periods of time; and (4) is also fully reversible so as to be capable of use in both push-based and pull-based actuator applications. Methods of operation and manufacturing associated with the aforementioned actuator apparatus are also disclosed.
18 Citations
40 Claims
-
1-20. -20. (canceled)
-
21. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly, the SMA actuator assembly comprising:
-
one or more SMA filaments, the one or more SMA filaments being electrically coupled with respective ones of a plurality of terminals; a driver element configured to move when power is applied to at least one of the one or more SMA filaments; and a pivot assembly, which in combination with the one or more SMA filaments, is configured to actuate the driver element. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly, the SMA actuator assembly comprising:
-
a plurality of SMA filaments, the SMA filaments being electrically coupled with respective ones of a plurality of terminals; a pivot assembly, which in combination with the plurality of SMA filaments, is configured to actuate a driver element; and a chassis configured to house the pivot assembly therein, the pivot assembly configured to rotate within the chassis. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
-
37. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly, the SMA actuator assembly comprising:
-
one or more SMA filaments, the one or more SMA filaments being electrically coupled with respective ones of a plurality of terminals; a pivot assembly, which in combination with the one or more SMA filaments, is configured to actuate a driver element; and a chassis configured to house the pivot assembly therein, the pivot assembly configured to rotate in either of two directions within the chassis. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
-
Specification