Patent JPS5686503A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3725835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Memory material actuator devices
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-07-20
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1990-07-20
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are actuator devices employing ''''memory material'''' actuator and reset elements that deform from a set shape toward an original shape when subjected to a critical temperature level after having been initially deformed from the original shape into the set shape while at a lower temperature. The actuator and reset elements are mechanically coupled such that temperatureinduced deformation of one into its original shape effects mechanical deformation of the other into its set shape. By selectively and alternately applying heat internally to the actuator and reset elements reversible output motion is provided for a wide variety of output functions.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hopkins
- 👤 W Rindner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H61/00; H01H61/01; H01H61/0107; G; G11; G11B; G11B21/00; G11B21/02; G11B21/12; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/01; H01H2061/0122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A thermally responsive actuator comprising: a. a base means: b. a control element supported by said base means, said control element comprising an actuator portion composed of a memory material that deforms overtly from a set shape toward an original shape when subjected to a temperature level in a given value range after being initially deformed from said original shape into said set shape while at a temperature level below said given value range; said control element further comprising a reset portion composed of a memory material that deforms overtly from another set shape toward another original shape when subjected to a temperature level in another value range after being initially deformed from said another original shape into said another set shape while at a temperature level below said another value range; and wherein said actuator portion and said reset portion are coupled together such that temperatureinduced deformation of said reset portion into its original shape deforms said actuator portion into its set shape and temperature induced deformation of said actuator portion into its original shape deforms said reset portion into its set shape; c. circuit means for generating heat energy internally of said actuator and reset portions of memory material so as to produce therein temperatures in said given and another value ranges; said circuit means comprising selectively operable energy source and terminal means for independently and alternately circulating electrical current through said actuator portion and said reset portion; d. and controlled means responsive to said deformations of said actuator portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
A thermally responsive actuator comprising: a. a base means: b. a control element supported by said base means, said control element comprising an actuator portion composed of a memory material that deforms overtly from a set shape toward an original shape when subjected to a temperature level in a given value range after being initially deformed from said original shape into said set shape while at a temperature level below said given value range; said control element further comprising a reset portion composed of a memory material that deforms overtly from another set shape toward another original shape when subjected to a temperature level in another value range after being initially deformed from said another original shape into said another set shape while at a temperature level below said another value range; and wherein said actuator portion and said reset portion are coupled together such that temperatureinduced deformation of said reset portion into its original shape deforms said actuator portion into its set shape and temperature induced deformation of said actuator portion into its original shape deforms said reset portion into its set shape; c. circuit means for generating heat energy internally of said actuator and reset portions of memory material so as to produce therein temperatures in said given and another value ranges; said circuit means comprising selectively operable energy source and terminal means for independently and alternately circulating electrical current through said actuator portion and said reset portion; d. and controlled means responsive to said deformations of said actuator portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 1 wherein said actuator portion and said reset portion are composed of the same memory material and said given value range and s id another value range are equal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 1 wherein said controlled means comprises measurement means for measuring an electrical property of said actuator portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 1 wherein said controlled member comprises a fully rotatable drive member mechanically coupled to said control element so as to be rotated by said deformations of said elongated actuator portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 4 wherein said drive member comprises a free-wheeling mechanism that operatively couples said control element to said drive member during deformations of said actuator portion to only one of said original and set shapes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 1 wherein said controlled means comprises a radiant energy source means and valve means for varying the spatial distribution of the energy output from said source, said valve means being operatively coupled to said control element so as to be actuated by deformations of said actuator portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 6 wherein said source of radiant energy comprises an optical display means, said valve means comprises a plurality of light valves for selectively changing the visible output from said display means, and including an additioNal one of said control elements operatively coupled to each of said light valves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 1 wherein each of said actuator and reset portions have substantial length relative to the dimensions of cross sections thereof perpendicular to their axes along said lengths and said deformations thereof toward said set shapes entail stretching along said axes, and said deformations thereof toward said original shapes entail contraction along said axes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 1 wherein said actuator and reset portions consist of TiNi alloy wire of circular cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
165 words
A thermally responsive actuator comprising: a. a base means; b. a control element supported by said base means, said control element comprising an actuator portion comprising a plurality of different memory materials that deform overtly from set shapes toward original shapes when subjected respectively to temperature levels in a plurality of different value ranges after being initially deformed from said original shapes into said set shapes at a temperature level below said different value ranges, c. heating means for generating heat energy internally of said actuator portion of memory material so as to produce therein temperatures in said given value ranges; d. energy source means coupled to said heating means; e. controlled means responsive to said deformations of said actuator portion; and (f) coupling means for coupling said actuator portion to said controlled means such that said controlled means is sequentially activated from an initial condition to a plurality of active positions in response respectively to deformation of said memory materials into said original shapes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
165 words
A thermally responsive actuator comprising: a. a base means; b. a control element supported by said base means, said control element comprising an actuator portion comprising a plurality of different memory materials that deform overtly from set shapes toward original shapes when subjected respectively to temperature levels in a plurality of different value ranges after being initially deformed from said original shapes into said set shapes at a temperature level below said different value ranges, c. heating means for generating heat energy internally of said actuator portion of memory material so as to produce therein temperatures in said given value ranges; d. energy source means coupled to said heating means; e. controlled means responsive to said deformations of said actuator portion; and (f) coupling means for coupling said actuator portion to said controlled means such that said controlled means is sequentially activated from an initial condition to a plurality of active positions in response respectively to deformation of said memory materials into said original shapes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
150 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 10 wherein said control element further comprises a reset portion composed of a memory material that deforms overtly from another set shape toward another original shape when subjected to a temperature level in another value range after being initially deformed from said another original shape into said another set shape while at a temperature level below said another value range; and said heating means is adapted for generating heat energy internally of said reset portion of memory material so as to produce therein a temperature in said another given range, and wherein said actuator means and said reset portion are coupled together such that temperature-induced deformation of said reset portion into its original shape deforms said actuator memory materials into their set shapes and temperature-induced deformation of said actuator memory materials into their original shapes deforms said reset portion into its set shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
180 words
A thermally responsive actuator comprising; a. a base means; b. a control element supported by said base means, said control element comprising an actuator portion composed of a memory material that deforms overtly from a set shape toward an original shape when subjected to a temperature level in a given value range after being initially deformed from said original shape into said set shape while at a temperature level below said given value range; c. heating means for generating heat energy internally of said actuator portion of memory material so as to produce therein a temperature in said given value range; said heating means and said actuator means being arranged to produce a temperature gradient between distinct sections of said actuator portion and said heating means comprising level selection means for producing independently and selectively in said distinct sections a temperature in said given value range so as to induce selective deformations of said actuator portion into a plurality of shapes intermediate said set and said original shapes; d. and controlled means responsive to said deformations of said actuator portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
180 words
A thermally responsive actuator comprising; a. a base means; b. a control element supported by said base means, said control element comprising an actuator portion composed of a memory material that deforms overtly from a set shape toward an original shape when subjected to a temperature level in a given value range after being initially deformed from said original shape into said set shape while at a temperature level below said given value range; c. heating means for generating heat energy internally of said actuator portion of memory material so as to produce therein a temperature in said given value range; said heating means and said actuator means being arranged to produce a temperature gradient between distinct sections of said actuator portion and said heating means comprising level selection means for producing independently and selectively in said distinct sections a temperature in said given value range so as to induce selective deformations of said actuator portion into a plurality of shapes intermediate said set and said original shapes; d. and controlled means responsive to said deformations of said actuator portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
110 words
A thermally responsive actuator according to claim 12 including a reset element composeD of a memory material that deforms overtly from another set shape toward another original shape when subjected to a temperature level in another value range after being initially deformed from said another original shape into said another set shape while at a temperature level below said another value range; said actuator and said reset elements being coupled together such that temperature-induced deformation of said reset portion into its original shape deforms said actuator portion into its set shape and temperature-induced deformation of said actuator portion into its original shape deforms said reset portion into its set shape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |