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. 05, 2008
Filed:
May. 11, 2005
John Wun-sing Chu, Cupertino, CA (US);
John Wun-Sing Chu, Cupertino, CA (US);
Nanotechnology, Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
An electronic lock incorporating one or more shape memory metal wire segment as its electromechanical transducer. An electronic control circuit injects electrical current into the shape memory metal wire, causing it to heat up and contract. A gate is positioned by the action of the shape memory metal wire(s) to either allow or block the movement of a locking bolt that affect locking or unlocking. Millions of operational cycles are achieved by limiting the stretching of the shape memory metal wire at low temperature to small percentages of its total length. The design lends itself to miniaturization, with commensurate reduction in power consumption, that is useful to the evolution of future electronic locks.