Shape memory actuator for a multi-contact electrical connector

Claim 1

A multi-contact zero insertion force electrical connector comprising: a plurality of pairs of opposed electrical contacts; means for supporting said pairs in parallel rows along an elongated dimension of the connector; means for supporting each contact of said opposed pairs of contacts for movement to positions toward and away from one another; integral operating means in operative contact with said pairs of electrical contacts to push them apart from one another, said integral operating means including an axially elongated hollow split tube of shape-memory alloy having a martensitic state and an austenitic state, said tube capable of being deformed when said alloy is in said martensitic state, said tube capable of recovering said deformation when said alloy is in the austenitic state, said tube having less curvature when said alloy is in the austenitic state, said integral operating means including insulating means surrounding said tube to insulate said tube from the contacts; resilient means in operative contact with said tube, said resilient means capable of biasing and deforming said tube when said alloy is in its martensitic state, said biasing being overcome by said tube when said alloy is in its austenitic state; and means for selectively heating said tube to cause said alloy to translate to its austenitic state.