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:
Nov. 02, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 31, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:
Robert Morgen, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Harold H Yee, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Assignee:
Hughes Electronics Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01H / ; H01H / ; H01H / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
337140 ; 337 12 ; 337343 ; 337393 ; 60527 ; 60528 ;
Abstract
An actuator that uses electrothermal energy to switch between a first latching position and a second latching position. The actuator contains a leaf spring capable of latching into two distinct positions and two shape-memory wires. The shape-memory wires contract when heated and direct the leaf spring toward the two latching states. Once positioned in a latching state, the leaf spring will remain latched in that position until directed toward a different latching state by one of the shape-memory wires.