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US 11,867,160 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
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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.
Claims15
A system comprising:
- a bimorph actuator base;
- at least two bimorph actuators each connected to the bimorph actuator base, the at least two bimorph actuators comprising at least a first bimorph actuator disposed at the bimorph actuator base oriented in a first direction and a second bimorph actuator disposed at the bimorph actuator base oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the at least two bimorph actuators comprising:
- a shape memory alloy material;
- and
- a beam electrically coupled to the shape memory alloy material, wherein each of the at least two bimorph actuators are attached to the bimorph actuator base at a first end of the beam, a second end of the beam opposite the first end is configured to be unfixed;
- and
- a moving carriage coupled to each of the at least two bimorph actuators.
4 more elements
A sensor shift system comprising:
- a base;
- and
- at least two bimorph actuators attached to the base, the at least two bimorph actuators comprising at least a first bimorph actuator disposed at the base oriented in a first direction and a second bimorph actuator disposed at the base oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the at least two bimorph actuators comprising:
- a shape memory alloy material;
- and
- a beam, each 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 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;
- and
- a sensor carriage coupled to the at least two bimorph actuators and configured to move in at least two axes in response to actuation of the at least two bimorph actuators.
5 more elements
A system comprising:
- an actuator base;
- at least two bimorph actuators comprising at least a first bimorph actuator disposed at the actuator base oriented in a first direction and a second bimorph actuator disposed at the actuator base oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the at least two bimorph actuators comprising:
- a shape memory alloy material;
- and
- a beam, wherein each of the at least two bimorph actuators is attached to the actuator base at a first end of the beam, a second end of the beam opposite the first end configured to be unfixed;
- a moving carriage coupled to the at least two bimorph actuators;
- and
- a second actuator engaged to the moving carriage, the second actuator configured to move in a positive z-direction, the second actuator comprising:
- a pair of buckle arms;
- and
- a second shape memory alloy material coupled with the pair of buckle arms at opposing ends of the pair of buckle arms, each of the opposing ends of the pair of buckle arms coupled with the actuator base, ends opposite the opposing ends of each buckle arm of the pair of buckle arms configured to move in the positive z-direction.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.