Johnson Service Company

Roger V Hajny

Paul E Thoma

David N AbuJudom, Ii

Steven A Linstead

Bruce R Schultz

Robert J Pirkey

The present invention provides a centrifugal brake which, according to one aspect of the invention, has a center hub from which extend flex members terminating in tabs extending from the flex members. Disposed on the opposite side of each flex member from the tab, is a friction portion. The friction portion is brought into contact with a braking surface when the centrifugal brake is rotated at sufficient speeds so that the centrifugal force acting on the tabs causes the flex members to bend and bring the friction portions into contact with the braking surface thereby resisting further acceleration of the centrifugal brake.

Centrifugal brake

A pivotal electrical connector for connecting a shape memory alloy element in the form of a coil spring to a fixed member, the connector including a strip of electrically conductive material having a clip or a pair of legs for securing the connector to one of the coils of the element. A pair of holes may be provided in the strip through which the coil is threaded. A rotational connector is provided in the strip for engaging the fixed member.

Shape memory actuator smart connector

A shape memory actuator for controlling the position of a control member, such as a damper plate in a duct, the actuator including first and second shape memory elements each having an austenite phase transition temperature above which each element assumes a predetermined memory shape and a lower phase which forms when said element is stretched from the predetermined memory shape, the first and second elements being connected to move the control member in different directions when one or the other of the elements are heated to a temperature above its austenite phase transition temperature and an electrical circuit for selectively raising the temperature of one or the other of the elements. The control member may be held in a position between full open and full closed by holding mechanisms which connect the actuator to the control member. The holding mechanisms include a visco elastic mechanism, a positive interlock mechanism that is released by a shape memory element, or a magnetic member formed of alternately arranged magnetic poles. A number of connectors are disclosed for connecting the SMA members to the dampers.

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Cedarburg, WI, United States of America

Roger V Hajny