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. 03, 2013
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2011
Steve Preston, Winter Springs, FL (US);
David A. Huyett, Casselberry, FL (US);
Robert A. Holton, Orlando, FL (US);
Steve Preston, Winter Springs, FL (US);
David A. Huyett, Casselberry, FL (US);
Robert A. Holton, Orlando, FL (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Orlando, FL (US);
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a miniature precision clamping assembly driven by a shape memory alloy actuator wire (SMA wire) which may be employed within a braking or clutch system. The clamping assembly includes a first clamping element, a second clamping element and an SMA wire connected to the first and second clamping elements by being interwoven through a plurality of pressure amplifiers located on the exterior surfaces of the first and second clamping elements. Both the first and second clamping elements are configured to be positioned about a rotatable shaft and move in translation to the shaft via a transition action of the SMA wire between a clamping and releasing position. By energizing the SMA wire a contracting or compressing action is generated thereby causing the first and second clamping elements to move into engagement with the one shaft for inhibiting rotational movement.