University of Houston System

Cameron International Corporation

Garrett Lewis

Gangbing Song

Devendra Patil

Claudio Olmi

A system, in certain embodiments, includes a power supply. The power supply includes an ultracapacitor configured to be charged by a DC source. The power supply also includes a first switch that enables charging of the ultracapacitor by the DC source when in a closed position and disables charging of the ultracapacitor when in an open position. The power supply further includes a second switch configured to enable discharging of the ultracapacitor when in a closed position and to disable discharging of the ultracapacitor when in an open position. As the ultracapacitor is discharged, a current is supplied to actuate a shape memory alloy element.

Actuation of shape memory alloy materials using ultracapacitors

A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator having a first plate with a first plurality of holes and a second plate with a second plurality of holes. The second plate is positioned at an offset from the first plate, and the second plate is moveable relative to the first plate to adjust a fluid pressure. The accumulator also includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires extending between the first and second plates, wherein the plurality of shape memory alloy wires extend through the first and second plurality of holes.

Shape memory alloy powered hydraulic accumulator having actuation plates

A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator having a first plate with a first wire guide and a second plate with a second wire guide. The second plate is positioned at an offset from the first plate, and the second plate is moveable relative to the first plate to adjust a fluid pressure. The accumulator also includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires extending between the first and second plates, wherein the plurality of shape memory alloy wires extend along the first and second wire guides.

Shape memory alloy powered hydraulic accumulator having wire guides

A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator having a first plate, a second plate positioned at an offset from the first plate, and a shape memory alloy wire extending between the first and second plates from a first wire portion to a second wire portion. The shape memory alloy wire is configured to move the first or second plate to adjust a fluid pressure in response to an electrical current through the shape memory alloy wire. The accumulator also includes a wire clamp assembly coupled to the first wire portion and/or the second wire portion of the shape memory alloy wire.

Growing community of inventors

Pearland, TX, United States of America

Garrett Lewis