Thermomechanical in-plane microactuator
US6734597B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2061/006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A microactuator providing an output force and displacement in response to an increase in thermal energy is displosed. The microactuator may have a substantially straight expansion member with a first and a second end. The first end may be coupled to a base member, and the second end may be coupled to a shuttle. The expansion member is capable of elongating in a elongation direction. Elongation of the expansion member may urge the shuttle to translate in an output direction substantially different than the elongation direction. In certain embodiments, multiple expansion members are arrayed along one side of the shuttle to drive the shuttle against a surface. Alternatively, expansion members may be disposed on both sides of the shuttle to provide balanced output force. If desired, multiple microactuators may be linked together to multiply the output displacement and/or output force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.