US 10,480,055 B2Granted

System for management of mechanical stress in nitinol components

OwnerMarcus E. Meridethinventor

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Abstract

A self-limiting shaped memory alloy device, including a shape memory alloy member, with first and second ends, a first anchor member connected to the first end, an energy contact, a second anchor member connected to the energy contact, an energy source connected in energetic communication to the energy contact, a moveable member connected to the second end, and a biasing member operationally connected to the moveable member for urging the moveable member towards and into physical contact with the second anchor member. The moveable member is in physical contact with the second anchor member and the second end is in energetic communication with the energy contact. Actuation of the energy source energizes the energy contact. Energization of the shape memory alloy member initiates a phase change that urges the moveable member away from the second anchor member. Movement of the moveable member away from the second anchor member disengages the second end from the energy contact.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A method of automatically limiting the stress level of a shape memory alloy member to prevent service life foreshortening levels of stress, comprising:

a) connecting the shape memory alloy member to a first base structural member and to a second moveable structural member;
b) connecting an energy input source to an energy conducting member;
c) connecting the energy conducting member to a third structural member;
d) positioning the third structural member in contact with the second structural member;
e) connecting the shape memory alloy in energetic communication with the energy conducting member;
f) connecting a biasing member to the second structural member to provide a first urging force thereupon, wherein the first urging force urges the second structural member towards the third structural member;
g) energizing the energy conducting member to conduct energy into the shape memory alloy member;
h) generating an opposite, greater second urging force in the shape memory alloy member urging the second structural member to move away from the third structural member;
and
i) disengaging the energy conducting member to conduct energy from the shape memory alloy member.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/479,452Filed 5 Apr 2017 · division
Priority: 13 Feb 2014
Published: US 2017/0298494 A119 Oct 2017
Granted: 19 Nov 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

C22F 1/10
Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working: of nickel or cobalt or alloys based…
C22F 1/006
Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working: resulting in heat recoverable alloys…
F03G 7/06143
Using shape memory elements: wires
F03G 7/067
Using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like: safety arrangements

Family

Application61/939,436Us provisional application · filed 13 Feb 2014
Application14/602,731Parent of this division · filed 22 Jan 2015
US 2017/0298494 A1Pre-grant publication · published 19 Oct 2017
US 9,714,460 B2Parent of this division
US 2015/0225824 A1Published application
US 10,480,055 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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