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:
Apr. 29, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 20, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Akira Kosaka, Yao, JP;
Junichi Tanii, Izumi, JP;
Shigeru Wada, Kishiwada, JP;
Yoshihiro Hara, Kishiwada, JP;
Assignee:
Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03B 9/08 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G03B 9/08 ;
Abstract
A control device for control an actuator comprises a 'shape-memory alloy that recovers to prescribed memory dimensions' and 'a force application means that applies an external force to the shape-memory alloy and changes its dimensions' has a pre-heating means that, prior to the control of a driven member by the actuator, pre-heats the shape-memory alloy to a temperature at which the shape-memory alloy begins to change its shape or to a slightly lower temperature relative thereto.