Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators and devices including bio-inspired shape memory alloy composite (bismac) actuators

a technology of bio-inspired shape and memory alloy, applied in the field of actuators, can solve the problems of few, if any, new devices developed, few, if any, successful applications developed, and largely defeats the advantages derived from the use of sma materials. , to achieve the effect of only a relatively small motion

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a technology of bio-inspired shape and memory alloy, applied in the field of actuators, can solve the problems of few, if any, new devices developed, few, if any, successful applications developed, and largely defeats the advantages derived from the use of sma materials. , to achieve the effect of only a relatively small motion

US20120174571A1Inactive Publication Date: 2012-07-12VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY

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[0024]Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a generalized form of an actuator in accordance with the invention is shown in cross-sectional and side views, respectively. For simplicity of illustration, all of FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3A, 3B and 4 are assumed to be cantilevered from the rightmost end thereof as depicted in FIG. 12. In its simplest form, the actuator 100 in accordance with the invention comprises only three elements: a spring beam 110 (hereafter sometime simply “beam”), an SMA element 120 and an encapsulation body 130. The beam 110 is preferably a highly flexible material such as spring steel and having a rectangular cross-section tending to flex in a preferential direction determined by its thickness relative to its width to constrain and define the motion of the actuator. The SMA element 120 can be any known or foreseeable SMA material and is preferably in the form of a wire of circular cross-section in order to minimize effects on actuator sh...

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Abstract

An actuator comprising a flexible spring affixed at a separation distance from a shape memory alloy or artificial muscle element amplifies strain developed by the shape memory alloy or artificial muscle element while maintaining a substantial fraction of the force developed during activation of the shape memory alloy or artificial memory element. A plurality of such actuators positioned relative to each other by encapsulation or attachment to a body of material such as a terminal hub can emulate a wide variety of biological movements such as for providing gripping in the manner of an opposed human thumb or propulsion in the manner of a jellyfish.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit of priority of U S. Provisional Application 61 / 421,847, filed Dec. 10, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST[0002]Development of this invention was sponsored by the Office of Naval Research through contract number N00014-08-1-0654. The U.S. Government may have certain rights in this invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention generally relates to actuators employing shape memory alloy (SMA) elements and, more particularly, to bio-inspired shape memory alloy composite (BISMAC) actuators and devices employing them including a propulsion system for a submersible vessel emulating a species of fish such as an Aurelia aurita species of jellyfish.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]During the progress of science in regard to materials and their physical properties, many new materials have been developed that exhibit unusual physical properties...

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Application Information

Patent Timeline

12 Jul 2012

Publication

US20120174571A1

IPC: F01B29/10

CPC: F01B29/10; F03G7/065; F03G7/005; F03G7/06143

Inventors: VILLANUEVA, ALEXIS A.; SMITH, COLIN