Contraction-extension mechanism type actuator
US5335498A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G7/064
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A contraction-extension mechanism type actuator is provided which operates with a small and simple mechanism, offers no hindrance to other work units, adopts a construction capable of fine adjustment, and enables only the leading end of a module to be freely moved while producing virtually no motion of the module itself. These objects are accomplished by a contraction-extension mechanism type actuator which is a joint array formed of a shape-memorizing alloy and provided with a contraction-extension mechanism having shape-controlling heaters integrally attached to the component joints of the array and having the joint array itself serving as its own a drive source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.