Electrothermal actuator with latch mechanism
US5396770A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G7/06113
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electrothermal actuator includes a housing containing a working fluid and a heater disposed in the fluid within the housing. A piston is slidably disposed in the housing for movement in response to heating and cooling of the working fluid. An output member is coupled to the piston and movable between first and second positions for transmitting a drive force from the piston to a load. A latch mechanism is operatively connected to the output member for releasably latching the output member in the second position without continuously heating the working fluid. The latch mechanism includes a coil and a magnetic member that releases the latch in response to a force produced by a magnetic field generated when a current flows through the coil. The output member can move linearly or rotationally.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.