Shape memory alloy actuator
First Claim
1. A temperature responsive actuator module comprising:
- a housing;
a first shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a first predetermined distance in a first predetermined direction;
a second shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a second predetermined distance in a second predetermined direction;
a mechanical interface device mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said first shape memory alloy spring device and said second shape memory alloy spring device such that said mechanical interface device will be moved in a first direction when contacted by said first shape memory alloy spring device and will be moved in a second and opposite direction when contacted by said second shape memory alloy spring device.
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Abstract
A shape memory alloy actuator is disclosed. In one arrangement, a louvered window covering, such as a vertical or horizontal venetian blind, is provided with a thermal actuator to automatically rotate slats forming the louvered window covering between open and closed positions. The actuator includes at least one shape memory alloy spring that, when heated above a predetermined temperature, extends to engage and move a rack that drives a pinion gear. The pinion gear rotates, through a coupling mechanism, a rod extending the length of the blind. A second shape memory alloy spring may be installed to rotate the rod in the opposite direction. The rod intercouples the slats in a manner such that the rotation of the rod rotates the slats in unison between closed and open positions. The shape memory alloy spring may be heated with a current supplied by a controller in response to a predetermined environmental condition. The venetian blind mechanism'"'"'s manual actuation would not be compromised or interfered with by the thermal actuator of the use of the thermal actuator because the thermal actuator is not physically coupled to the blind except intermittently.
189 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A temperature responsive actuator module comprising:
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a housing; a first shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a first predetermined distance in a first predetermined direction; a second shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a second predetermined distance in a second predetermined direction; a mechanical interface device mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said first shape memory alloy spring device and said second shape memory alloy spring device such that said mechanical interface device will be moved in a first direction when contacted by said first shape memory alloy spring device and will be moved in a second and opposite direction when contacted by said second shape memory alloy spring device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A temperature responsive actuator module comprising:
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a housing; a shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase from a first position when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction to a second position; and a mechanical interface device mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said shape memory alloy spring device such that said mechanical interface device will be moved in a first direction when contacted by said shape memory alloy spring device, wherein the shape memory alloy spring uncouples from the mechanical interface device when returning from the second position to the first position whereby the mechanical interface device will remain where it was moved in the first direction unless acted upon by some force other than the at least one shape memory alloy spring. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An actuator module comprising:
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a housing; a shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase from a first position when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction to a second position; a current a source for supplying current through the at least one shape memory alloy spring of the shape memory alloy spring device to cause the at least on shape memory spring to heat and extend; and a mechanical interface device mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said shape memory alloy spring device such that said mechanical interface device will be moved in a first direction when contacted by said shape memory alloy spring device, wherein the shape memory alloy spring uncouples from the mechanical interface device when returning from the second position to the first position whereby the mechanical interface device will remain where it was moved in the first direction unless acted upon by some other force. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. An actuator module comprising:
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a housing; a first shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a first predetermined distance in a first predetermined direction; a second shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a second predetermined distance in a second predetermined direction; a first current source for supplying a current through the at least one shape memory alloy spring of the first shape memory alloy spring device to cause the at least one shape memory alloy spring to heat and extend; a second current source for supplying a current through the at least one shape memory alloy spring of the second shape memory alloy spring device to cause the at least one shape memory alloy spring to heat and extend; and a mechanical interface device mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said first shape memory alloy spring device and said second shape memory alloy spring device such that said mechanical interface device will be moved in a first direction when contacted by said first shape memory alloy spring device and will be moved in a second and opposite direction when contacted by said second shape memory alloy spring device. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification