# US 7,744,058 B2 · Actuator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,058 B2 - Document ID: US7744058B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/544,600 - Filed: 2006-10-10 - Published: 2007-05-17 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2005-10-26 - Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc - Inventors: Daniel Clark; John R Webster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744058B2 ## CPC - F02C 9/16: Control of working fluid flow (F02C9/48 takes precedence; control of air-intake flow F02C7/057) - F03G 7/0614: {using shape memory elements} - F03G 7/0616: {characterised by the material or the manufacturing process, e.g. the assembly (magnetic shape memory alloys F03G7/06147)} - F03G 7/064: {characterised by its use} - F05D 2300/505: Shape memory behaviour - Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract An actuator (12) is disclosed for example controlling gas flow in a gas turbine engine. The actuator (12) comprises a first portion (14) having shape memory properties, and a second portion (16) formed of substantially the same material as the first portion and having reduced shape memory properties relative to the first portion. The first portion (14) is movable from a first position to a second position at a temperature above the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material of the first portion (14). The second portion (16) is arranged to urge the first portion (14) from the second position to the first position at a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An actuator having first and second portions formed of substantially the same material as each other, said material being a shape memory material having shape memory properties, the second portion being treated to reduce the shape memory properties relative to the first portion, the first portion being movable from a first position to a second position at a temperature above the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material of the first portion, and the second portion being arranged to urge the first portion from the second portion to the first position at a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An actuator according to claim 1 wherein the actuator is formed as a single piece, and includes a support portion extending between the first and second portions, the first and second portions being integrally attached to the support portion at first ends of the first and second portions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An actuator according to claim 1 wherein the first and second portions are each part of a single piece of the material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An actuator according to claim 1 wherein the second portion is treated to substantially remove the shape memory properties. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An actuator according to claim 1 wherein the second portion may comprise resilient urging means to urge the first portion to the first position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An actuator according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes a resilient element, the resilient element comprising a convolution in the respective first and/or second position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An actuator according to claim 6 wherein each of the first and second portions includes an aforesaid resilient element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An actuator according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second portions comprises a plurality of elongate elements wherein each elongate element of the first portion engages or is attached to a respective one of the elongate elements of the second portion. ### Claim 9 An actuator having first and second portions formed of substantially the same material as each other, said material being a shape memory material having shape memory properties, the second portion being treated to reduce the shape memory properties relative to the first portion, the first portion being movable from a first position to a second position at a temperature above the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material of the first portion, and the second portion being arranged to urge the first portion from the second portion to the first position at a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material, said actuator comprising a tube, wherein a first axially extending region of the tube constitutes the first portion, and a second axially extending region of the tube constitutes the second portion, wherein the tube moves between a first position and a second position when the first portion moves as aforesaid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An actuator according to claim 9 comprising two first axially extending regions, and two second axially extending regions, the first axially extending regions being arranged opposite each other, and the second axially extending regions being arranged opposite each other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) An actuator according to claim 9 comprising a support upon which the tube is mounted. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) An actuator according to claim 9 including urging means to urge the tube from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An actuator according to claim 12 wherein the urging means comprises a spring. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) An actuator according to claim 9 wherein the second portion is treated to substantially remove the shape memory properties. ### Claim 15 An actuator having first and second portions formed of substantially the same material as each other, said material being a shape memory material having shape memory properties, the second portion being treated to reduce the shape memory properties relative to the first portion, the first portion being movable from a first position to a second position at a temperature above the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material of the first portion, and the second portion being arranged to urge the first portion from the second portion to the first position at a temperature below the phase transition temperature of the shape memory material, wherein the actuator is formed as a single piece, and includes a support portion extending between the first and second portions, the first and second portions being integrally attached to the support portion at first ends of the first and second portions, and wherein the first and second portions include opposite free second ends which can be connected to one another. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An actuator according to claim 15 wherein each of the first and second portions comprises an elongate element, the elongate element of the first portion engages or is attached to the elongate element of the second portion at the respective second ends of the first and second portions.