Shape memory alloy actuators
OwnerMark A. Gummin, William Donakowski +1inventors
InventorsMark A. Gummin, William Donakowski, Geoffrey Gaines
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Abstract
Linear actuators comprised of a plurality of geometric links connected together in displacement multiplied fashion by a plurality of SMA wires. The links may have a trigon or chevron configuration. The trigon links may be combined with a hexagonal or rhomboidal shaft to create a defined stacking pattern of links about the shaft. The shaft extends from the medial portion of the stack. Ohmic heating circuits connect to non-moving ends of SMA wires. Various groupings of links in parallel displacement are described.
Claims54
A linear actuator, including:
- a plurality of links extending in a longitudinal direction and disposed in a closely spaced array and adapted to undergo reciprocal translation in said longitudinal direction:
- an output shaft connected to said plurality of links and adapted to undergo reciprocal translation in said longitudinal direction;
- said plurality of links each having a common geometric form adapted for stacking in a predetermined array with respect to said output shaft;
- a plurality of shape memory wires connected to said plurality of links in serial, contiguous fashion;
- means for heating said shape memory wires beyond the memory transition temperature to contract said wires and urge said links to move in said longitudinal direction in displacement multiplied fashion;
- and,
- housing means for enclosing said plurality of links and said plurality of wires.
A linear actuator including:
- a plurality of links extending in a longitudinal direction and disposed in a closely spaced array and adapted to undergo reciprocal translation in said longitudinal direction:
- an output shaft connected to said plurality of links and adapted to undergo reciprocal translation in said longitudinal direction;
- said plurality of links each having a common geometric form adapted for stacking in a predetermined array with respect to said output shaft;
- a plurality of shape memory wires connected to said plurality of links in serial, contiguous fashion;
- means for heating said shape memory wires beyond the memory transition temperature to contract said wires and urge said links to move in said longitudinal direction in displacement multiplied fashion;
- wherein said plurality of links each have a trigon configuration comprised of three generally identical planar faces extending in said longitudinal direction and oriented by an equilateral triangular cross-section of each link.
A linear actuator, including:
- a plurality of links extending in a longitudinal direction and disposed in a closely spaced array and adapted to undergo reciprocal translation in said longitudinal direction;
- an output shaft connected to said plurality of links and adapted to undergo reciprocal translation in said longitudinal direction;
- said plurality of links each having a common geometric form adapted for stacking in a predetermined array with respect to said output shaft;
- a plurality of shape memory wires connected to said plurality of links in serial, contiguous fashion;
- means for heating said shape memory wires beyond the memory transition temperature to contract said wires and urge said links to move in said longitudinal direction in displacement multiplied fashion;
- wherein said plurality of links each have a chevron configuration comprised of a longitudinally extending member having a generally rectangular cross-section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.