Shape memory actuator and method of making same

Abstract

A shape memory actuator including: a nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy; and a ternary element provided to the nickel-titanium alloy such that the content of the ternary element in the alloy is selected and processed based on a predetermined operating temperature for the actuator. The ternary element may be selected from at least one of lead (Pd), Gold (Au), Platinum (Pt), Hafnium (Hf) and Zirconium (Zr). A method of making a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator, the method including: preparing an SMA material; cutting the SMA material into the shape for the actuator; and processing a predetermined portion of the actuator via laser processing such that at least some material properties of the SMA material are altered to provide an altered transformation temperature. In some cases, the processing may be configured to adjust the relative amount of at least a ternary element in the predetermined portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.