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US 7,018,209 B2Granted
Apparatus and methods for a shape memory spring actuator and display
AssigneePurdue Research Foundation
InventorsDavid A. Schleppenbach, Wunji Lau, Joe P. Said
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various apparatus and methods for an actuator and display using one or more shape memory springs. A shape memory spring is heated and urges a pin to a first or extended position. The pin may be supported in the first position by a supporting mechanism. The shape memory spring is heated electically, and in some embodiments under the control of a processor. The present invention may be used to display information provided in a user interface from a computer program, including text, numerical data, and graphical images.
Claims4
A method for heat treating a spring, comprising:
- providing a coil spring with a first outer diameter and a first length fabricated from a shape memory material;
- providing a member defining a chamber with an inner diameter and a length, the chamber length being greater than the length of the spring and the chamber inner diameter being greater than the outer diameter of the spring;
- placing the spring in the chamber;
- heating the chamber and spring to more than about 400 degrees C. and less than about 600 degrees C. for a period of mote than about two minutes;
- and
- permitting the spring outer diameter to grow to the inner diameter of the chamber, and permitting the spring length to grow to the length of the chamber.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.