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:
Sep. 26, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 22, 1999
Richard Maness, Finger, TN (US);
Other;
Abstract
An actuator for selectively exerting a force responsive to an increase or decrease in applied electrical energy, including an electrically conductive member slideably seated within an electrically non-conductive frame, a thermally responsive and electrically conductive shape memorizing spring seated within the frame and adjacent to the member for urging the member responsive to the passage of electrical current through the shape memorizing spring. An electrically conductive contact strip is connected to the frame and extends therefrom in contact with the member such that movement of the member from the neutral position toward an optimal position will maintain the member in contact with the contact strip and wherein movement of the member to the optimal position will disconnect the member and the contact strip. A power source for generating energy is electrically connected to the contact strip and to the shape memorizing spring whereby a circuit is formed when the member is in contact with the contact strip. A thermally non-responsive spring is seated within the frame for urging the member toward the thermally responsive shape memorizing spring.