Marman Clamp With A Shape Memory Alloy Actuator
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsCasey Lyn Madsen, Thomas R. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Marman clamp is disclosed. The Marman clamp includes a release mechanism with either pins or tubes formed with a shape memory alloy. The release mechanism opens and closes the clamp depending on the temperature of the pins or tubes. The temperature of the pins or tubes may be based on whether a space vehicle including the clamp is in a direct line of sight of radiation from the sun. Alternatively, a heat source may control the temperature of the pins or tubes. The Marman clamp may also open and close as a result of an independent force applied to the release mechanism.
Claims20
A Marman clamp, comprising:
- a ring having an open position and a closed position;
- and
- a release mechanism that places the ring in either the open or closed position using a shape memory alloy actuator.
A system, comprising:
- a first structure;
- and
- a second structure connected to the first structure with a clamp having a shape memory alloy actuator that determines when to change positions of the clamp.
A method of actuating a clamp, comprising:
- maintaining a clamp having a shape memory alloy actuator in a first position;
- and
- moving the clamp to a second position when a shape memory alloy actuator in a release mechanism of the clamp receives an external trigger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.