# US 10,480,055 B2 · System for management of mechanical stress in nitinol components

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- Number: US 10,480,055 B2
- Document ID: US10480055B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/479,452
- Filed: 2017-04-05
- Published: 2017-10-19
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-13
- Applicants: Marcus E. Merideth
- Inventors: Marcus E. Merideth
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480055B2

## CPC

- C22F 1/10: of nickel or cobalt or alloys based thereon
- C22F 1/006: {Resulting in heat recoverable alloys with a memory effect}
- F03G 7/06143: {Wires}
- F03G 7/067: {Safety arrangements}
- H05B 3/0004: {Devices wherein the heating current flows through the material to be heated (Circuit arrangements for heating by passing the current directly across the material to be heated H05B3/0023; granular, powdered or fluid material H05B3/60)}
- H05B 3/02: Details
- C22F: CHANGING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF NON-FERROUS METALS AND NON-FERROUS ALLOYS (surface treatment of metallic material involving at least one process provided for in class C23 and at least one process covered by this subclass, C23F17/00)
- F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00)
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the second structural member is positioned between the first and third structural members.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the shape memory alloy member contracts when energized.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the shape memory alloy member expands when energized.