The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 28, 1986
Filed:
Feb. 21, 1985
Charles D Lemme, Tucson, AZ (US);
Blazer International Corp., Franklin Park, IL (US);
Abstract
A device to provide overload protection for a shape memory metal (SMM) wire of an SMM-type actuator and to automatically compensate for cyclic creep and maintain the tension of the SMM wire. During normal operation, a restraining drum, in cooperation with a biasing spring, maintains the position of one end of the SMM wire so that the other end of the SMM wire can move an actuator. Under excessive loads, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move, thereby reducing the tension and preventing damage to the SMM actuator. When the excessive load is removed, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move under the influence of the biasing spring to its original position. By permitting the first end of the SMM wire to move in dependence upon the tension on the SMM wire, the device automatically takes up any slack caused by cyclic creep and maintains proper tension of the SMM wire.