Bimetallic leaf spring clamping device
AssigneeCooper Union for the Advancement of Science
InventorsRobert Dell, Chih-Shing Wei, Tae Young Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to bimetallic leaf spring devices (100) that are responsive to changes in temperature, and methods of constructing and utilizing such devices. In one embodiment, the invention includes a clamping apparatus including a first strip (110) of a first material and a second strip (120) of a second material. The second strip (120) may be attached to the first strip (110) at least two attachment locations. The second strip (120) may be spaced apart from the first strip (110) at least one section between the at least two attachment locations, and at least one of the first material and the second material may include a thermally expansive material.
Claims19
A clamping apparatus, comprising:
- a first strip comprising a first material;
- a second strip comprising a second material wherein (i) the second strip is attached to the first strip at least two attachment locations, (ii) opposing surfaces of the second strip are spaced apart from the first strip at least one section between the at least two attachment locations, and (iii) at least one of the first material and the second material comprises a thermally expansive material;
- and
- a third strip comprising a third material, wherein the third strip is attached to the second strip at a distal portion of the spaced apart section.
A system for clamping an object, the system comprising:
- at least one clamping apparatus, comprising:
- a first strip comprising a first material;
- a second strip comprising a second material wherein (i) the second strip is attached to the first strip at least two attachment locations, (ii) opposing surfaces of the second strip are spaced apart from the first strip at least one section between the at least two attachment locations, and (iii) at least one of the first material and the second material comprises a thermally expansive material;
- and
- a third strip comprising a third material, wherein the third strip is attached to the second strip at a distal portion of the spaced apart section;
- and
- a mounting means for securing the clamping apparatus against an object to be clamped, wherein the clamping apparatus is adapted to provide a substantially constant restraining force to the clamped object upon a change in surrounding temperature.
A method of clamping an object, the method comprising:
- providing a clamping apparatus comprising:
- a first strip comprising a first material;
- a second strip comprising a second material wherein (i) the second strip is attached to the first strip at least two attachment locations, (ii) opposing surfaces of the second strip are spaced apart from the first strip at least one section between the at least two attachment locations, and (iii) at least one of the first material and the second material comprises a thermally expansive material;
- and
- a third strip comprising a third material, wherein the third strip is attached to the second strip at a distal portion of the spaced apart section;
- securing the clamping apparatus against an object to be clamped;
- and
- selecting at least one of a thermal expansion property and a geometrical property of the clamping apparatus to provide a substantially constant restraining force to the object upon a change in a surrounding temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.