Controlling activation of devices
US6433991B1 · kind B1 · utility
75Cited by
52References
49Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05C2251/12
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An actuator assembly includes an operating actuator and a holding actuator that are engageable with an operator member of a device. The operating actuation is cycled between on and off states to move the operator member in incremental steps, and the holding actuator is maintained in an active state to maintain or latch the current position of the operator member. Each of the operating and holding actuators may include one of the following: a solenoid actuator; and an actuator including one or more expandable elements, such as a piezoelectric element, a magnetostrictive element, and a heat-expandable element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.