Method of generating drive signals for driving an SMA apparatus
AssigneeCambridge Mechatronics Limited
InventorMark Easton
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Abstract
A method of generating drive signals for driving an SMA apparatus, wherein the SMA apparatus comprises two SMA actuator assemblies each comprising a respective set of one or more SMA wires, the method comprising the steps of: outputting drive signals for applying to the SMA wires of the sets of SMA wires so as to independently drive the SMA actuator assemblies; and outputting a measurement pulse for measuring an electrical characteristic of an SMA wire, and suppressing or delaying the drive signals for applying to both sets of SMA wires for the duration of the measurement pulse, such that the measurement pulse is applied in the absence of any drive signal.
Claims20
A method of generating drive signals for driving an SMA apparatus, wherein the SMA apparatus comprises two SMA actuator assemblies each comprising a respective set of one or more SMA wires, the method comprising the steps of:
- outputting drive signals for applying to the SMA wires of the sets of SMA wires so as to independently drive the SMA actuator assemblies;
- and
- outputting a measurement pulse for measuring an electrical characteristic of an SMA wire, and suppressing or delaying the drive signals for applying to both sets of SMA wires for the duration of the measurement pulse, such that the measurement pulse is applied in the absence of any drive signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.