Contoured thermomechanical actuators and pulsing for enhanced dynamic performance
US7777392B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
9References
25Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/00172
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thermomechanical actuation system and method includes an elongated thermomechanical actuator (TMA), which is contoured so that electrical resistance at a mid-portion of the TMA is less than at end portions thereof. A pulse generator is electrically coupled to the TMA, and is configured to supply excitation pulses to the TMA. The excitation pulses are transient, so that each pulse is terminated prior to reaching a steady state amplitude, while having sufficient energy to heat the TMA to its predetermined operational temperature range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.