Shape memory alloy actuator

A temperature responsive actuator module comprising:

• a housing;
• a shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase from a first position when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction to a second position;
• and
• a mechanical interface device mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said shape memory alloy spring device such that said mechanical interface device will be moved in a first direction when contacted by said shape memory alloy spring device, wherein the shape memory alloy spring uncouples from the mechanical interface device when returning from the second position to the first position whereby the mechanical interface device will remain where it was moved in the first direction unless acted upon by some force other than the at least one shape memory alloy spring.

An actuator module comprising:

• a housing;
• a shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase from a first position when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction to a second position;
• a current a source for supplying current through the at least one shape memory alloy spring of the shape memory alloy spring device to cause the at least on shape memory spring to heat and extend;
• and
• a mechanical interface device mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said shape memory alloy spring device such that said mechanical interface device will be moved in a first direction when contacted by said shape memory alloy spring device, wherein the shape memory alloy spring uncouples from the mechanical interface device when returning from the second position to the first position whereby the mechanical interface device will remain where it was moved in the first direction unless acted upon by some other force.

An actuator module comprising:

• a housing;
• a first shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a first predetermined distance in a first predetermined direction;
• a second shape memory alloy spring device mounted within said housing and including at least one shape memory alloy spring, the at least one shape memory alloy spring changing phase when above a predetermined temperature and extending linearly a second predetermined distance in a second predetermined direction;
• a first current source for supplying a current through the at least one shape memory alloy spring of the first shape memory alloy spring device to cause the at least one shape memory alloy spring to heat and extend;
• a second current source for supplying a current through the at least one shape memory alloy spring of the second shape memory alloy spring device to cause the at least one shape memory alloy spring to heat and extend;
• and
• a mechanical interface device mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said first shape memory alloy spring device and said second shape memory alloy spring device such that said mechanical interface device will be moved in a first direction when contacted by said first shape memory alloy spring device and will be moved in a second and opposite direction when contacted by said second shape memory alloy spring device.