Actuator assembly
AssigneeCambridge Mechatronics Limited
InventorAndrew Benjamin Simpson Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An actuator assembly comprising a support structure; a movable part that is movable relative to the support structure in at least two degrees of freedom; an arrangement of superelastic SMA elements arranged, on actuation, to move the movable part in the at least two degrees of freedom relative to the support structure, wherein the hysteretic properties of the superelastic SMA elements are configured to hold the movable part in position when the superelastic SMA elements are not actuated.
Claims25
An actuator assembly comprising:
- a support structure;
- a movable part that is movable relative to the support structure in at least two degrees of freedom;
- and
- an arrangement of superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) elements arranged, on actuation, to move the movable part in the at least two degrees of freedom relative to the support structure, wherein the hysteretic properties of the superelastic SMA elements are configured to hold the movable part in position when the superelastic SMA elements are not actuated.
An actuator assembly comprising:
- a support structure;
- a movable part that is movable relative to the support structure;
- and
- an arrangement of superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) elements arranged, on actuation, to move the movable part in relative to the support structure, wherein the hysteretic properties of the superelastic SMA elements are configured to hold the movable part in position when the superelastic SMA elements are not actuated,
- wherein the superelastic SMA elements suspend the movable part on the support structure.
13-14. (canceled)
An elongate instrument comprising:
- a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- a plurality of superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) elements arranged around an axis between the proximal end and the distal end,
- wherein the superelastic SMA elements are arranged, on selective energization, to bend the distal end relative to the proximal end, and
- wherein the hysteretic properties of the superelastic SMA elements constrain the distal end from returning to an unbent position when the plurality of superelastic SMA elements are not energized.
(canceled)
20-21. (canceled)
23-24. (canceled)
28-29. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.