Actuator having at least one control element which has thermal transducer material

US9581147B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Föderung der Wissenschaften e.V. · US

Inventors

• David Flaschenträger · Darmstadt, DE
• Thorsten Koch · Schwieberdingen, DE
• Björn Seipel · Florstadt, DE
• Tobias Melz · Darmstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 4, 2012
• Grant date: Feb 28, 2017
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F03G7/0612
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention is an actuator which includes at least one control element which has thermally activatable transducer material and which, in response to the supply or dissipation of energy, changes from a first shape state into a second shape state, and a mechanical energy storage, which is functionally connected to the control element. When the control element is in the second shape state, it exerts a restoring force on the control element which returns the control element to the first shape state. The mechanical energy storage includes an elastomer body, which at least in some regions is in direct physical and thermal contact with the control element. The elastomer body is connected in a spatially fixed manner to the control element in at least two spatially separated joining regions along the control element.