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US 5,684,448 AGranted
Shape memory actuated switching device
AssigneeSarcos Corp.
InventorsStephen C. Jacobsen, Clark C. Davis, Kent Backman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A T-shaped member is pivotally mounted to a support plate, and has first and second shape memory wires attached at first ends thereof to opposing portions of the T-shape. Second opposing free ends of the shape memory wires are secured to the support plate. Electrical current is conducted alternately through the first and second shape memory wires to cause the wires to contract in alternating tandem, to thereby cause the T-shaped member to move between first and second positions. Pivotal movement of the T-shaped member can be used to actuate and/or reactivate a switch device.
Claims12
A switching device for alternately moving an object between first and second positions, said switching device comprising:
- support means;
- rigid shaft means having a pivot point and first and second opposing end portions, said shaft means being pivotally mounted to the support means at the pivot point, said first opposing end portion having first and second opposing sides;
- first shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the first side of the first end portion of the shaft means;
- second shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the second side of the first end portion of the shaft means;
- means for alternately passing electrical current through the first and second shape memory means to thereby cause the first shape memory means and the second shape memory means to contract in alternating tandem, wherein contraction of the first shape memory means causes the shaft means to pivot about its pivot point to move the second end of said shaft means into a first position and wherein contraction of the second shape memory means causes the shaft means to pivot about its pivot point to move the second end of said shaft means away from the first position and into a second position;
- wherein the second end of the shaft means includes first and second portions, said switching device further comprising first and second switching means disposed on the support means such that the contraction of the first and second shape memory means in alternating tandem causes the first and second portions of the second end of the shaft means to respectively move into and out of contact with the first and second switching means to thereby mobilize each switching means between first and second switched positions;
- wherein the first and second switching means respectively comprise first and second lever means being respectively biased against first and second valve pins so as to exert pressure upon said valve pins tending to force said pins into first switched positions, wherein movement of the second end of the shaft means into contact with one of the switching means causes said second end of the shaft to force the lever means of said switching means in a direction away from its corresponding valve pin into a second switched position to thereby release pressure exerted by the lever means upon the valve pin.
4 more elements
A switching device for alternately moving an object between first and second positions, said switching device comprising:
- support means;
- rigid shaft means having a pivot point and first and second opposing end portions, said shaft means being pivotally mounted to the support means at the pivot point, said first opposing end portion having first and second opposing sides;
- first shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the first side of the first end portion of the shaft means;
- second shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the second side of the first end portion of the shaft means;
- means for alternately passing electrical current through the first and second shape memory means to thereby cause the first shape memory means and the second shape memory means to contract in alternating tandem, wherein contraction of the first shape memory means causes the shaft means to pivot about its pivot point to move the second end of said shaft means into a first position and wherein contraction of the second shape memory means causes the shaft means to pivot about its pivot point to move the second end of said shaft means away from the first position and into a second position;
- wherein the second end of the shaft means includes first and second opposing sides, each said opposing side including thicker and narrower portions, said switching device further comprising first and second switching means disposed on the support means such that contraction of the first and second shape memory means in alternating tandem causes the thicker portions of the first and second opposing sides of the second end of the shaft means to respectively move into and out of contact with the first and second switching means to thereby mobilize each switching means between first and second switched positions.
3 more elements
A switching device for alternately moving an object between first and second positions, said switching device comprising:
- support means;
- rigid shaft means having a pivot point and first and second opposing end portions, said shaft means being pivotally mounted to the support means at the pivot point, said first opposing end portion having first and second opposing sides;
- first shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the first side of the first end portion of the shaft means;
- second shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the second side of the first end portion of the shaft means;
- means for alternately passing electrical current through the first and second shape memory means to thereby cause the first shape memory means and the second shape memory means to contract in alternating tandem, wherein contraction of the first shape memory means causes the shaft means to pivot about its pivot point to move the second end of said shaft means into a first position and wherein contraction of the second shape memory means causes the shaft means to pivot about its pivot point to move the second end of said shaft means away from the first position and into a second position;
- wherein at least one of the first and second opposing sides of the first opposing end portion of the shaft means includes a finger member formed thereon, and wherein the attachment of shape memory means to said at least one of the first and second opposing sides comprises said shape memory means being looped around said finger member.
3 more elements
A switching device for alternately moving an object between first and second positions, said switching device comprising:
- support means;
- rigid shaft means having a pivot point and first and second opposing end portions, said shaft means being pivotally mounted to the support means at the pivot point, said first opposing end portion having first and second opposing sides;
- first shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the first side of the first end portion of the shaft means;
- second shape memory means secured at one end thereof to the support means and attached at an opposing end thereof to the second side of the first end portion of the shaft means;
- means for alternately passing electrical current through the first and second shape memory means to thereby cause the first shape memory means and the second shape memory means to contract in alternating tandem, wherein contraction of the first shape memory means causes the shaft means to pivot about its pivot point to move the second end of said shaft means into a first position and wherein contraction of the second shape memory means causes the shaft means to pivot about its pivot point to move the second end of said shaft means away from the first position and into a second position;
- wherein the pivot point of the shaft means substantially coincides with a center of mass of said shaft means to thereby inhibit undesired pivotal movement of the shaft means caused by vibration or jarring or the like.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.