Patent US4716731A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4716731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Actuator of shape memory effect material
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1986-08-12
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Granted: 1988-01-05
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Expires: 2006-08-12
Abstract
Abstract An actuator made of a material having a shape memory effect includes a plurality of materials having a shape memory effect and a heat insulator member. The plurality of materials having a shape memory effect are disposed with the heat insulator member interposed therebetween, and the plurality of materials and the insulator member are joined together.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshikazu Sakai
- 👤 Makoto Higomura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:52
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J9/00; B25J9/10; B25J9/1085; F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/06; F03G7/061; F03G7/0614; F03G7/063; F03G7/0633; F03G7/0635; F03G7/066; F16; F16F; F16F2224/00; F16F2224/02; F16F2224/0258
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
An actuator, comprising: a plurality of materials having a shape memory effect; a heat insulator member; and heating means for providing said plurality of materials with heat, wherein said plurality of materials having a shape memory effect disposed with said heat insulator member interposed therebetween, and said plurality of materials and said insulator member are joined together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
An actuator, comprising: a plurality of materials having a shape memory effect; a heat insulator member; and heating means for providing said plurality of materials with heat, wherein said plurality of materials having a shape memory effect disposed with said heat insulator member interposed therebetween, and said plurality of materials and said insulator member are joined together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of materials having a shape memory effect includes a material having a shape memory effect and a different deformation quantity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of mateirals having a shape memory effect each have a different deformation quantity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein said heating means also comprises means for cooling said plurality of materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An actuator, comprising: a plurality of materials having a shape memory effect, said materials being serially joined together; means for independently controlling the temperature of said plurality of materials; and means for changing the length of said joined plurality of materials by controlling the temperature of at least one of said plurality of materials by means of said temperature controlling means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An actuator, comprising: a plurality of materials having a shape memory effect, said materials being serially joined together; means for independently controlling the temperature of said plurality of materials; and means for changing the length of said joined plurality of materials by controlling the temperature of at least one of said plurality of materials by means of said temperature controlling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An actuator according to claim 5, wherein said temperature control means includes heating means and cooling means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An actuator according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of materials having a shape memory effect each have a different deformation quantity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An actuator according to claim 7, wherein the ratio in length between the respective ones of said plurality of materials is set to form a predetermined series.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An actuator according to claim 5, wherein said changing means changes the total length of said joined materials into a desired length by operating said temperature controlling means once.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
An actuator, comprising: a plurality of materials having a shape memory effect, said materials being serially joined together; means for independently controlling the temperature of said plurality of materials; a driven unit coupled to said serially joined plurality of materials; and means for driving said driven unit by controlling the temperature of at least one of said plurality of materials by means of said temperature controlling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
An actuator, comprising: a plurality of materials having a shape memory effect, said materials being serially joined together; means for independently controlling the temperature of said plurality of materials; a driven unit coupled to said serially joined plurality of materials; and means for driving said driven unit by controlling the temperature of at least one of said plurality of materials by means of said temperature controlling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An actuator according to claim 10, wherein said temperature control means includes heating means and cooling means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An actuator according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of materials having a shape memory effect each have a different deformation quantity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An actuator according to claim 12, wherein the ratio in length between the respective ones of said plurality of materials is so set to form a predetermined series.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An actuator according to claim 10, wherein said driving means drives said driven unit by a desired distance by operating said temperature controlling means once.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
An actuator using a material having a shape memory effect comprising: a joined member which is constructed by joining together units of a predetermined length and interposing an insulator member therebetween, said units having been separated from a material of a uniform composition having a shape memory effect and having been memorized with a predetermined shape; means for independently controlling the temperature of said units; and means for changing the full length of said joined member by controlling the temperature of at least one of said units.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
87 words
An actuator using a material having a shape memory effect comprising: a joined member which is constructed by joining together units of a predetermined length and interposing an insulator member therebetween, said units having been separated from a material of a uniform composition having a shape memory effect and having been memorized with a predetermined shape; means for independently controlling the temperature of said units; and means for changing the full length of said joined member by controlling the temperature of at least one of said units.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
An actuator according to claim 15, wherein the ratio in length between the respective ones of said units is so set to form a predetermined series.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4553393A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-04 | 1991-07-06 | 1992-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-04 | 1995-07-06 | 1996-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-04 | 1999-07-06 | 2000-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |