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:
Oct. 20, 1987
Filed:
Oct. 16, 1986
Kaigham J Gabriel, Fair Haven, NJ (US);
William S Trimmer, Belle Mead, NJ (US);
James A Walker, Howell, NJ (US);
American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
An electrically controlled shape memory alloy actuator capable of being miniaturized for use in robotics and other fields. The actuator is made of a shape memory alloy wire which is torsioned end along its longitudinal axis and with its ends constrained against movement. A lever or other suitable element is attached to the wire at a desired point other than at a wire end. A plurality of electrical connections spaced along the wire define a plurality of different sections of the wire. The wire and attached control element is made to rotate by selectively applying voltages to the different sections of the wire to heat the individual sections.