Shape memory alloy latching and locking closure system

A lockable latching device comprising:

• a body defining a cavity therein and having a central longitudinal axis;
• a plunger disposed within the cavity and having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end, wherein the plunger is translatable with respect to the body along the central longitudinal axis between:
• an open position in which the second end is disposed within the cavity;
• and a closed position in which the second end protrudes from the cavity;
• an annular rotator disposed along the central longitudinal axis and configured for rotating the plunger about the central longitudinal axis;
• an annular latch abutting the annular rotator and transitionable between:
• an unlocked state in which the annular latch is positioned about the central longitudinal axis such that the plunger is transitionable between the open position and the closed position;
• and a locked state in which the annular latch is positioned about the central longitudinal axis such that the plunger is not transitionable between the open position and the closed position;
• a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy that is transitionable between a first austenite crystallographic phase and a first martensite crystallographic phase in response to a first activation signal, the first element having a first end affixed relative to the body and a second end affixed relative to the body such that the first end of the first element is at a fixed location relative to the second end of the first element;
• a second element operably connected to the annular latch and formed from a second shape memory alloy that is transitionable between a second austenite crystallographic phase and a second martensite crystallographic phase in response to a second activation signal, the second element having a first end affixed relative to the body and a second end affixed relative to the body such that the first end of the second element is at a fixed location relative to the second end of the second element;
• and
• a force transmission mechanism operably connected to the first element, the second element, and the annular latch, the force transmission mechanism configured to transition the annular latch from the unlocked state to the locked state in response to the first activation signal, the force transmission mechanism further configured to transition the annular latch from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to the second activation signal.