Holding and releasing mechanism with a shape memory actuator

US6450725B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• EADS Deutschland GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Martin Roth · Starnberg, DE
• Andreas Schuster · Annaberg-Buchholz, DE
• Heinz Voggenreiter · Vaucresson, FR
• Harald Vorbrugg · Hersbruck, DE
• Markus Reindl · Dachau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 15, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 17, 2002
• Expiry date: May 15, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T403/21
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A retention and triggering mechanism with a shape memory actuator which ensures safe triggering and is of simple design and requires little energy. An end (7, 8) of a stressed wire is held by a free end of a wire made of shape memory material (9, 10) which contracts along its length when heated, thus withdrawing its free end from an opening (27, 28) formed in the end (7, 8) of the stressed wire thereby releasing the stressed wire.