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Tunable stiffness actuator

An actuator, adjustable technology, applied in the direction of machines/engines, mechanisms that generate mechanical power, electromagnets with armatures, etc., can solve problems such as poor performance and effectiveness

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-04-24
GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As the performance of the SMA element and / or the performance of the mechanical spring changes or degrades, the performance of a smart actuator or device including the SMA element and the mechanical spring becomes less and less effective

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0017] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like components throughout the several views, Figure 1-7 Components shown in are not drawn to scale. Accordingly, the specific illustrations, dimensions and applications provided in the drawings shown here are not to be considered limiting.

[0018] figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an actuator shown generally at 10 and adapted for adjustable stiffness control. Actuator 10 includes a rigid element 12 and a magnetic bias element shown generally at 20 . Rigid element 12 may comprise a smart material. The biasing element 20 may be configured to be magnetically actuated to provide a biasing force on the rigid element 12 . By way of non-limiting example, biasing elements and rigid elements may be arranged in parallel with each other, as figure 1 with 2 shown. exist figure 1 In , a rigid element 12 is shown in parallel with a biasing element 20 comprising an actuator 10 . exist figure 2 In , a r...

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Abstract

An actuator adaptable for tunable stiffness control is provided, including a stiffness element including a smart material, and a magnetically actuated biasing element. The biasing element is configured to provide a non-linear or variable bias force on the stiffness element. The smart material may be a shape memory alloy, and the biasing element may be configured to include a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, a magnetic shape memory alloy, or a combination of these. The stiffness element and the biasing element of the actuator may be configured in parallel with each other, or may be configured in series with each other. The bias force may be provided in response to an input defined by one or more of fatigue, functional degradation, aging, shakedown, elongation, and operating environment of the stiffness element of the actuator, or defined by an operating characteristic of the actuator or a device controlled by the actuator.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to stiffness control using smart actuators. Background technique [0002] Smart actuators and smartly actuated devices comprising shape memory alloys (SMAs) can typically be configured to bias the SMA element using a mechanical spring with a predetermined (e.g., constant) stiffness, for example, to assist the SMA rigid The actuated shape returns to the unactuated shape. Biasing the SMA element with a predetermined stiffness can result in suboptimal performance of the actuated device under off-design operating conditions, such as changes in the operating environment and degradation of components that interface with the smart actuator. In large design spaces, higher bias stresses may be required in some operating conditions to avoid false actuation, which can lead to suboptimal performance under nominal conditions, or SMA caused by higher bias stresses The service life of the components is reduced. [0003] The performanc...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): F03G7/06H01F7/06
CPCH01F7/08F03G7/065F03G7/06
Inventor S.阿克V.R.布拉瓦拉
Owner GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
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