Actuator system with ambient temperature compensation
US3967227A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 1975 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H71/18
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An actuator system for use in an electrical relay or the like. An actuator member is carried by a frame and is movable between a first and a second position, being biased toward its first position by a spring and having an actuating wire coupled between it and the frame. This wire is stretched from its original length to a second length by the spring when the actuator member is in its first position. The wire is of a selected metal alloy which, upon being heated, shortens its length and thus causes the tension in the wire to increase an amount sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring and to move the actuator member towards its second position. The actuator system further includes selectively operable heating means for the wire and an ambient temperature compensator for insuring that upon operation of the heating means, the wire is sufficiently heated to effect movement of the actuating member from its first to its second position and for preventing the wire from being overstressed, regardless of changes in ambient temperature within a limited range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.