Shape memory alloy powered hydraulic accumulator having actuation plates
AssigneeUniversity of Houston
InventorsGarrett Lewis, Gangbing Song, Devendra Patil
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator having a first plate with a first plurality of holes and a second plate with a second plurality of holes. The second plate is positioned at an offset from the first plate, and the second plate is moveable relative to the first plate to adjust a fluid pressure. The accumulator also includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires extending between the first and second plates, wherein the plurality of shape memory alloy wires extend through the first and second plurality of holes.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- an accumulator, comprising:
- a first plate comprising a first plurality of holes;
- a second plate comprising a second plurality of holes, wherein the second plate is positioned at an offset from the first plate, and the second plate is moveable relative to the first plate to adjust a fluid pressure;
- and
- a plurality of shape memory alloy wires extending between the first and second plates, wherein the plurality of shape memory alloy wires extend through the first and second plurality of holes.
A system, comprising:
- a shape memory alloy powered drive, comprising:
- a first plate comprising a first circular pattern of holes;
- a plurality of shape memory alloy wires extending through the first plurality of holes;
- and
- a controller configured to adjust a supply of electrical current through the shape memory alloy wires to adjust a force on the first plate.
A method for actuating an accumulator, comprising:
- supplying an electrical current to a plurality of shape memory alloy wires extending through holes in first and second plates to cause movement of the first plate relative to the second plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.