Saes Getters S.p.a.

Salvatore Coco

Marco Citro

Stefano Alacqua

Giorgio Vergani

Michele Scarlata

A power supply circuit for supplying a load, which may be a SMA component or a piezoelectric component, may use short high-voltage pulses to achieve fast heating of the load and, in order to comply with functional requirements, the SMA or piezoelectric component should not be supplied by connecting it directly to an electric line at a relatively high voltage. It is also disclosed an actuator comprising a power supply circuit of this disclosure and at least one load, comprising at least one smart materials chosen between a piezoelectric device and a a shape memory alloy (SMA) component, and a method of supplying a load comprising the steps of: connecting the AC to DC voltage converter of the power supply circuit to the AC mains by closing the input switch for charging a tank capacitor of the converter and, at the same time, opening the output switch for disconnecting the load from the tank capacitor: disconnecting the AC to DC voltage converter of the power supply circuit from the AC mains by opening the input switch and, at the same time, closing the output switch to supply the load by discharging the tank capacitor.

Power supply circuit, related actuator and method of supplying a load

An asymmetric bistable shape memory alloy inertial actuator capable of preventing accidental actuation caused by environmental temperature variations but preserving temperature-related safety features and its use in devices.

Asymmetric bistable shape memory alloy inertial actuator

Bistable shape memory alloy inertial actuator capable of preventing accidental actuation caused by environmental temperature variations, its method of operation and its use in devices.

Bistable shape memory alloy inertial actuator

An airbag module comprises a control unit, a source of electric current managed by the control unit, a container wherein a gas is stored under pressure, and a hollow body with an inlet duct, in which an outlet of the container sealed by a pierceable membrane is tightly fitted, and an outlet duct on which an inflatable bag is tightly assembled. The airbag module further comprises an actuator assembly configured to pierce open the membrane sealing the container, said actuator assembly comprising a piercing member movably restrained to the body and at least one linear shape memory alloy wire actuator member that is electrically connected to the source of electric current and operably restrained to the piercing member so as to cause it to move beyond the pierceable membrane.

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Cesano Maderno, Italy

Salvatore Coco