Back to results
US 11,199,183 B2Granted
Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof
AssigneeHutchinson Technology Incorporated
InventorsMark A. Miller, Nathaniel K. Behning, Dean E. Myers, Michael W. Davis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.
Claims16
An actuator including:
- a base;
- and
- at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material and a beam, the bimorph actuator attached to the base at a first end of the beam, a second end of the beam opposite the first end configured to be unfixed, the shape memory alloy material having a first end and a second end, the second end of the shape memory alloy material electrically coupled with the beam between the first end of the beam and the second end of the beam to configure the shape memory alloy material to receive a current to actuate the shape memory alloy material.
An actuator comprising:
- a beam;
- a first end pad electrically coupled to the beam;
- a second end pad electrically coupled to the beam;
- a center feed arranged between the first end pad and the second end pad;
- and
- a shape memory alloy material coupled with the first end pad, the second end pad, and the center feed, the center feed configured to be electrically isolated from the beam and electrically coupled to a contact layer.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.