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. 12, 2017
Filed:
Jun. 16, 2015
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Jonathan K. Brown, Renton, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
Apparatus that use Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) materials. An exemplary apparatus includes an SMA member that transforms between a first shape and a second shape based on temperature. The apparatus also includes a coil spring that encompasses the SMA member. The coil spring conducts current from a power source to generate a magnetic field that induces heat in the SMA member. The coil spring also stores mechanical energy as the SMA member transforms from the first shape to the second shape when heated to a transition temperature, and exerts force on the SMA member from the mechanical energy to assist the SMA member in transforming from the second shape to the first shape when cooling below the transition temperature.