US4987314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuator apparatus utilizing a shape-memory alloy
Assignee: Olympus Corp
•
Filing: 1990-05-11
•
Granted: 1991-01-22
•
Expires: 2010-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An actuator apparatus includes a plurality of actuators each having a shape-memory alloy, a power supply line unit for supplying power to the actuators, power supply control unit connected in series with at least one of the actuators, and a driving unit for driving the power supply control unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Masakazu Gotanda
- 👤 Yasuhiro Ueda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
An actuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of actuators each comprising a shape-memory alloy; power supply line means for supplying power to said actuators; power supply control means connected in series with at least one of said actuators; and driving means for driving said power supply control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
An actuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of actuators each comprising a shape-memory alloy; power supply line means for supplying power to said actuators; power supply control means connected in series with at least one of said actuators; and driving means for driving said power supply control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power supply control means includes a semiconductor switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said semiconductor switch includes a MOS field effect transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said semiconductor switch includes a phototransistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said driving means includes an optical fiber for guiding light to said phototransistor, and a light source and an optical filter for supplying light to said optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a holding member for holding said actuators; and disabling means for disabling an operation of said actuators when said actuators are overheated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said disabling means for disabling an operation of said actuators includes separating means for separating said actuators from said holding member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said actuator separating means includes a small-diameter portion formed at an end portion of said shape-memory alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said actuator separating means includes a heat-melting member located at an end portion of said shape-memory alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said actuator separating means includes a heat-shrinkable member located at an end portion of said shape-memory alloy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said power supply line means includes a pair of power supply lines; and said plurality of actuators are connected in parallel to said power supply lines; and said plurality of actuators are connected in parallel to said supply lines.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: said power supply control means includes semiconductor switches; and each semiconductor switch is connected in series with each actuator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said actuators are arranged in an insertion section of an endoscope.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said semiconductor switches are arranged in the insertion section of the endoscope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
An actuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of actuators each comprising a shape-memory alloy; power supply line means for supplying power to said actuators; power supply control means connected in series with at least one of said actuators; and driving means for driving said power supply control means; said power supply line means including a pair of power supply lines, and said plurality of actuators being connected in parallel to said power supply lines.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
An actuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of actuators each comprising a shape-memory alloy; power supply line means for supplying power to said actuators; power supply control means connected in series with at least one of said actuators; and driving means for driving said power supply control means; said power supply line means including a pair of power supply lines, and said plurality of actuators being connected in parallel to said power supply lines.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said power supply control means includes switch means connected in series with each of said actuators.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said actuators are arranged in an insertion section of an endoscope.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said power supply lines extends into the insertion section of the endoscope.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said switch means is arranged in the insertion section of the endoscope.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said switch means includes a semiconductor switch.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
An actuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of actuators each comprising a shape-memory alloy; power supply line means for supplying power to said actuators; power supply control means connected in series with at least one of said actuators; and driving means for driving said power supply control means; said actuators and said power supply control means being arranged in an insertion section of an endoscope.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
64 words
An actuator apparatus comprising: a plurality of actuators each comprising a shape-memory alloy; power supply line means for supplying power to said actuators; power supply control means connected in series with at least one of said actuators; and driving means for driving said power supply control means; said actuators and said power supply control means being arranged in an insertion section of an endoscope.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein: said power supply line means includes a pair of power supply lines; and said plurality of actuators are connected in parallel to said power supply lines.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein at least one of said power supply lines extends into the insertion section of the endoscope.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said power supply control means includes switch means connected in series with each of said actuators.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said switch means includes a semiconductor switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4495421A
Cited
US4601283A
Cited
US4520336A
Cited
JPS6194631A
Cited
JPS6226041A
Cited
US4799474A
Cited
JPS6321065A
Cited
JPS6321066A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-21 | 1994-07-23 | 1995-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-21 | 1998-07-23 | 1999-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-21 | 2002-07-23 | 2003-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |