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:
Aug. 22, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2004
Roderick Macgregor, Antioch, CA (US);
Andrei Szilagyi, Danville, CA (US);
Peter Emery Von Behrens, Antioch, CA (US);
Roderick MacGregor, Antioch, CA (US);
Andrei Szilagyi, Danville, CA (US);
Peter Emery Von Behrens, Antioch, CA (US);
Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen Und Systemlosungen, Treuchtlingen, DE;
Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention, a shape memory alloy ('SMA')-actuated flow controller comprises a number of grille members, each having a long axis and being slideable relative to one another parallel to that long axis. The SMA-actuated flow controller also includes a frame configured to guide the number of grille members, and an actuator disposed within the frame to move at least one of the number of grille members for varying a size of an aperture. Further, the actuator includes an SMA actuator that includes a number of SMA elements each connecting one grille number to another.