Downhole shape memory alloy actuator and method

Abstract

A downhole actuator includes, a sleeve, a mandrel, and at least one of the sleeve and the mandrel is in operable communication with a downhole tool to be actuated. The actuator further includes, a follower disposed at one of the sleeve and the mandrel, a pathway disposed at the other of the sleeve and the mandrel, the pathway being receptive to the follower and configured to cause rotational motion and limit a stroke length between the sleeve and the mandrel in response to longitudinal motion between the follower and the pathway. The actuator also has a shape memory alloy in operable communication with the sleeve and the mandrel configured to longitudinally move the sleeve in relation to the mandrel in response to temperature changes thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.