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US 11,686,294 B2Granted
Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof
AssigneeHutchinson Technology Incorporated
InventorsMark A. Miller, Nathaniel K. Behning, Dean E. Myers, Michael W. Davis, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Zachary A. Pokornowski, Yasushi Sakamoto
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims19
A system comprising:
- a base portion comprising a conductive metal base layer separated into at least a first pad and second pad by gaps of a dielectric layer;
- a fixed end coupled to the base portion;
- and
- at least two arms extending from the fixed end, each of the at least two arms terminating at a corresponding free end, the at least two arms comprising:
- a first arm comprising a first arm conductive metal base layer in communication with the first pad, a first arm insulator layer, and a first arm shape memory alloy (SMA) material;
- and
- a second arm comprising a second arm conductive metal base layer in communication with the second pad, a second arm insulator layer, and a second arm SMA material.
4 more elements
A shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuator comprising:
- a base portion separated into at least a first pad and a second pad;
- a fixed end coupled to the base portion;
- at least two actuating arms extending from the fixed end, each of the at least two actuating arms comprising a SMA material extending along a length of each of the at least two arms, wherein each of the at least two actuating arms comprising:
- a first actuating arm comprising a first arm conductive metal base layer in communication with the first pad, a first arm insulator layer, and a first arm shape memory alloy (SMA) material;
- and
- a second actuating arm comprising a second arm conductive metal base layer in communication with the second pad, a second arm insulator layer, and a second arm SMA material;
- and
- at least one free end, wherein the at least two actuating arms terminate at the at least one free end, wherein the at least one free end includes a tongue comprising a conductive metal base layer.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.