Translational actuator
US6006522A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G7/0633
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An actuator for at least translationally or linearly moving an object from a first position to a second position displaced from the first position is disclosed. In one embodiment, the actuator includes a strip of shape memory alloy configured as a coil wound about a first rotatably-fixed member, the strip having first and second end portions, the first end portion being interconnectable to the first rotatably-fixed member and the second end portion being operatively associated and/or interconnectable with the object to be moved, and a heating assembly adapted to heat at least a portion of the strip of shape memory alloy from a first temperature corresponding to the strip being in a martensitic state to a second temperature corresponding to the strip being in an austenitic state, the second temperature being above a martensitic/austenitic transformation temperature of the shape memory alloy. Such heating of the strip to the austenitic state results in at least radially-outward and arcuate movement of the second end portion of the strip which, in turn, may move the object translationally.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.