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:
Jul. 07, 1992
Filed:
Feb. 07, 1991
Applicant:
Inventor:
Steven R Swenson, Saratoga, CA (US);
Assignee:
Other;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F03G / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
60527 ; 60528 ;
Abstract
A shape memory actuator capable of high torque densities capable of being used on space applications and other fields. The actuator is made of two concentric tubular shape memory alloy (SMA) members (12 and 14) torsioned along their longitudinal axis with ends constrained relative to each other. One end of the actuator is constrained while the other is the output. A heater (16) is located inside the inner SMA member (12). A heater (18) is located on the outside of the outer SMA member (14). The unconstrained end is caused to rotate between positions by applying current to the appropriate heater.