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US 12,663,691 B2Granted
Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof
AssigneeHutchinson Technology Incorporated
InventorsMark A. Miller, Nathaniel K. Behning, Dean E. Myers, Michael W. Davis
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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.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a base;
- a first actuator connected to the base, the first actuator comprising:
- a first actuator arm with a first end of the first actuator arm connected to the base;
- a second actuator arm with a first end connected to the base, wherein a second end of the first actuator arm and a second end of the second actuator arm are configured to move;
- a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire;
- a first wire retainer to affix a first end of the SMA wire to the base;
- a second wire retainer to affix a second end of the SMA wire to the base;
- and
- a first slide bearing disposed between the base and the first wire retainer and a second slide bearing disposed between the base and the second wire retainer, wherein the first and second slide bearings are configured to minimize friction between the base and the first actuator arm and second actuator arm.
6 more elements
A bimorph actuator comprising:
- a bimorph actuator arm with a first end configured to connect to a base and a second end configured to be unfixed;
- a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire extending between at least the first end of the bimorph actuator arm to the second end of the bimorph actuator arm, the second end of the bimorph actuator arm configured to actuate in response to a current being received at the SMA wire;
- a first wire retainer at the first end of the bimorph actuator arm to affix a first end of the SMA wire to the bimorph actuator arm;
- a spring with an attached payload;
- and
- one or more slide bearings configured to be disposed between the base and the spring.
3 more elements
A buckle actuator comprising:
- a first actuator arm with a first end configured to connect to a base;
- a second actuator arm with a first end configured to connect to the base;
- a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire extending between the first actuator arm and the second actuator arm;
- a first wire retainer at the first end of the first actuator arm to affix a first end of the SMA wire to the base;
- a second wire retainer at the first end of the second actuator arm to affix a second end of the SMA wire to the base;
- and
- slide bearings disposed between at least the base and the first wire retainer and between the base and the second wire container.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.