Flow control assemblies having integrally formed shape memory alloy actuators
AssigneeAlfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
InventorsRoderick MacGregor, Andrei Szilagyi, Peter Emery Von Behrens
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Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention, a shape memory alloy (“SMA”)-actuated flow controller comprises a number of grille members, each having a long axis and being slideable relative to one another parallel to that long axis. The SMA-actuated flow controller also includes a frame configured to guide the number of grille members, and an actuator disposed within the frame to move at least one of the number of grille members for varying a size of an aperture. Further, the actuator includes an SMA actuator that includes a number of SMA elements each connecting one grille number to another.
Claims14
A shape memory alloy-actuated flow controller, comprising:
- a rotatable flap having a shaft along an axis about which said rotatable flap rotates;
- and an actuator disposed within said shaft and configured to generate a force causing said rotatable flap to rotate, said actuator comprising a shape memory alloy (“SMA”) actuator including a number of SMA elements.
A shape memory alloy-actuated aperture controller, comprising:
- a rotatable member having a shaft along an axis about which said rotatable member rotates, said rotatable member configured to vary a size of an aperture;
- and an actuator disposed within said shaft and configured to generate a force causing said rotatable member to rotate, said actuator comprising a shape memory alloy (“SMA”) actuator including a number of SMA elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.