Bistable shape memory effect thermal transducers
US4544988A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 1983 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2061/0122
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrothermal actuator assembly including a primary or armature member movable between first and second positions and biased to remain in either the first and second position to which it is moved with wires each made of shape memory material attached to the primary or armature member and acting in opposition to one another but, alternatively, when electrical current is passed through the respective wires to increase their temperature whereby they shorten in length to move the primary or armature. A switch supplies electrical current selectively through contacts interconnected by the primary or armature member, but only to one wire at a time for moving the armature from one position to another. The armature or primary member may move rectilinearly between first and second positions or may be rotatably supported for movement between first and second positions. The armature or primary member may also interconnect a set of load contacts to supply power to a load in one of the positions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.