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US 12,055,844 B2Granted
Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof
AssigneeHutchinson Technology Incorporated
InventorsRyan N. Ruzicka, Yasushi Sakamoto, Mark A. Miller
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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.
Claims6
An actuator module assembly comprising:
- an outer housing that is configured with pockets integrally formed within a perimeter of the outer housing;
- a bimorph module comprising:
- a housing configured to locate within one of the pockets formed within the outer housing;
- and
- at least one bimorph actuator arm that includes a fixed end fixed to the housing, a free end configured to contact a moving member, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire disposed between the fixed end and the free end.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.