Active material actuator having a magnetorheological overload protector

An active material actuation system adapted for driving a load over an actuation cycle, and preventing an overload condition during the cycle, the system comprising:

• an actuator defining a maximum threshold force, and drivenly coupled to the load, so as to apply a driving force thereto;
• a fixed structure coupled to the actuator;
• and
• an overload protector, including:
• a mechanism further including magnetorheological fluid defining a yield strength, and a translatable part disposed within the fluid;
• and
• at least one magnet communicatively coupled to the fluid, so as to further define the yield strength, the protector producing a selectively modifiable resistive force based on the yield strength, wherein the resistive force is less than the maximum threshold force, the mechanism being driven by the actuator such that the resistive force opposes the driving force, and caused to reconfigure, so as to create a secondary work output path, when the driving force is greater than the resistive force.