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:
Jun. 01, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2002
A. David Johnson, San Leandro, CA (US);
Glendon Benson, Danville, CA (US);
TiNi Alloy Company, San Leandro, CA (US);
Abstract
An SMA actuated miniature latching valve for on and off control of fluid flow. A valve closure includes a poppet for opening and closing the fluid flow path. The poppet is operated responsive to an actuator mechanism which has SMA wires arranged to be actuated by electric resistant heating. Actuation causes different ones of the wires to contract and pull the poppet either toward or away from a valve seat. A latching mechanism comprising a conical spring operates between two bistable positions which hold the poppet either fully open or fully closed without further application of power to the actuators. A method of forming a secure mechanical and electrical connection between an SMA wire end and its support includes the steps of swaging a metal cone between a cone-shaped hole in the support and the wire end.