Cargo restraint actuator assembly
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsVinodkumar Shivalinga, Vikramkumar Bogar Kumbare
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuator assembly may comprise a control unit and a shape memory coil spring in electrical communication with the control unit. The shape memory coil spring may increase from a first length to a second length in response to receiving a current from the control unit. The shape memory coil spring may be configured to translate a spacer and/or a slider shaft in response to increasing in length. The shape memory coil spring may be configured to transition a pawl in a latch assembly from a retracted state to an erected state, and vice versa.
Claims20
An actuator assembly, comprising:
- a control unit comprising a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal;
- and
- a first shape memory coil spring in electrical communication with the control unit, the first shape memory coil spring comprising a coil extend from a first end to a second end and back to the first end, the coil including an outer coil and an inner coil, the outer coil being disposed radially outward from the inner coil.
A latch assembly comprising:
- a side plate;
- a side housing;
- a pawl assembly disposed between the side plate and the side housing;
- an actuator assembly disposed in the side housing, the actuator assembly comprising:
- a control unit;
- and
- a first shape memory coil spring in electrical communication with the control unit, the first shape memory coil spring configured to transition the pawl assembly from a retracted state to an erect state in response to receiving a first current.
A method of actuating a latch assembly, the method comprising:
- applying a first current to a first shape memory coil spring disposed in a side housing of the latch assembly, the first shape memory coil spring increasing in length in response to the first current;
- and
- stopping the first current to the first shape memory coil spring, the first shape memory coil spring decreasing in length in response to the first current stopping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.