40 results about "Shape memory alloy actuators" patented technology

A first and a second locking element are movable to an extended position and a retracted position. A first actuator assembly is supported by a first end of a printed circuit board (PCB) and has a first actuator body connected to the first locking element. A second actuator assembly is supported by a second end of the PCB and has a second actuator connected to the second locking element. Each actuator body is in electrical contact with an electrical contact pad on a first side of the PCB and with an electrical contact pad on a second side of the PCB. The first and second FGL actuators extend between the first and second actuator bodies. Each actuator moves the corresponding first or second locking element to the retracted position in response to an electrical input signal.

The present application belongs to the technical field of robot control, and particularly relates to an uncertainty and disturbance estimation control method for a shape memory alloy driver. The method of the present application controls the shape memory alloy driver by using a control signal as follows: the present application combines a shape memory alloy rate-dependent Prandtl-Ishlinskii model with an uncertainty and disturbance estimation control method to realize tracking control of the shape memory alloy driver, improve robust performance, and has a good application prospect.

The present invention discloses a shape memory alloy driver, which is characterized in that it comprises an SMA driving structure, a power supply, a liquid storage tank, an electromagnetic valve structure, a control core and a spray structure; the power supply is electrically connected to the SMA driving structure; the liquid storage tank is filled with a refrigerant liquid; the electromagnetic valve structure is connected to the liquid outlet of the liquid storage tank through a pipeline; the control core is electrically connected to the power supply and the electromagnetic valve structure; the spray structure is connected to the electromagnetic valve structure and is used to spray a cooling spray onto the SMA driving structure; a control core is provided to control the power supply and the electromagnetic valve structure, the power supply is used to energize the SMA driving structure, the electromagnetic valve structure drives the refrigerant liquid in the liquid storage tank to be transported to the spray structure, the refrigerant liquid is atomized by the spray structure to form a cooling spray, and is sprayed onto the surface of the SMA driving structure to cool it, so that the cooling effect is significantly enhanced compared with the traditional cooling method, and the response speed is improved.

An actuator assembly comprises a static part and a movable part. A helical bearing arrangement supporting the movable part on the static part guides helical movement of the movable part with respect to the static part around a helical axis. One or more actuators, that are not shape memory alloy actuators, are arranged to drive movement of the movable part around the helical axis, which thereby includes a component of translational movement along the helical axis. The helical movement increases the force within the actuator assembly allowing actuation of heavier movable parts, and may improve posture.

An electronic device may include a lens module with a tunable lens. The tunable lens may include a flexible lens element and a lens shaping structure attached to the flexible lens element. The lens shaping structure may include a plurality of tabs that are each coupled to a respective actuator. The actuator may move the tab up and down along an axis of displacement. The actuator may have a structure that is configured to rotate about a pivot structure. At least one shape memory alloy (SMA) wire may be attached to an upper portion of the structure and at least one SMA wire may be attached to a lower portion of the structure. The SMA wires may be controlled to selectively rotate the structure, thereby controlling the position of a tab along the axis of displacement.

A shape memory alloy SMA actuator comprises a first part 4 with a first surface 4f, a second part 20 moveable relative to the first part 4 across the first surface 4f, and one or more SMA elements 80a

The invention discloses a modularized edible mushroom square cabin rapid deployment device and a thermodynamic optimization system thereof, and relates to the field of edible mushroom industrial cultivation, and the modularized edible mushroom square cabin rapid deployment device comprises a phase change sandwich plate, a mortise and tenon joint-hydraulic connection mechanism and a topological optimization support skeleton; the topological optimization supporting framework forms a main body bearing framework of the square cabin; the phase change sandwich plate is laid and fixed on a frame formed by the topological optimization supporting framework to form an enclosure structure of the square cabin and is used for regulating and controlling a thermal environment in the cabin; the multiple phase change sandwich plates are in butt joint and locked through the mortise and tenon joint-hydraulic connecting mechanisms, and rapid airtight assembly of the cabin body module is formed. Through the synergistic effect of the outer-layer aluminum alloy, the middle gradient phase-change material layer and the inner-layer aerogel, intelligent adjustment of the temperature in the cabin is achieved, and the dynamic thermal bridge blocking system achieves dynamic thermal bridge blocking through linkage cooperation of a shape memory alloy actuator, a ceramic thermal insulation insertion piece and an infrared thermal imaging module. Accurate identification and dynamic blocking of a thermal bridge passage are realized.

The invention relates in a first aspect to an actuator sub-assembly comprising a shape memory alloy wire (15), a biasing spring (16) and a magnetically responsive element (17, 17') to couple the motion of a first movable element (13) and a second movable element (14) having a terminal (18), and in a second aspect to a fluid valve comprising a plunger, the terminal portion of which controls its opening and closing, and wherein the plunger motion is controlled by the action of a shape memory alloy wire, a biasing element and a magnetically responsive element.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) may include a main body (200) defining an axis (212) and a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire (104) coupled to the main body in the form of a spiral about the axis. The SMA wire is configured to change between an extended state and a contracted state in response to heat being applied to the SMA wire. The main body rotates about the axis in a first direction when the SMA wire is changing from the extended state to the contracted state and in a second direction opposite the first direction when the SMA wire is changing from the contracted state to the extended state.

The present embodiments relate to a rotational actuator using a set of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to cause rotational motion of an actuator body. The actuator body can include a fixed portion configured to remain static and a moving portion configured to rotate. A set of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators can be connected to the actuator body. Each SMA actuator can include a fixed end fixed to the fixed portion of the actuator body and a free end in contact to the moving portion. Each SMA actuator can include a SMA material disposed between the fixed end and the free end. Each SMA actuator can, in response to an electrical current, extend or retract to enable rotation of the moving portion in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a lever pivotable about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position, a mount coupled to the lever and radially offset from the pivot axis, and an actuator coupled to the lever and moveable between an extended position corresponding to the first position of the lever and a retracted position corresponding to the second position of the lever. The SMA actuator also includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) element connected to the mount. In response to heat being applied to the SMA element, the SMA element changes between an extended state and a contracted state. The lever is configured to pivot from the first position corresponding to the SMA element being in the contracted state to the second position corresponding to the SMA element being in the extended state.

A shape memory actuator includes: a single shape memory alloy; a shape memory effect (SME) region of the alloy configured for actuation; a pseudoelastic (PE) region of the alloy configured as a sensor capable of position sensing; and a control system configured to control the actuator by controlling a current passing through at least the SME region based on sensor results from the PE region. A method of controlling a shape memory actuator includes: applying a predetermined current through the actuator; measuring a first resistance of the SME region; measuring a second resistance of the PE region; calculating an estimated position of the actuator based on the first and second resistances; and adapting the current applied to the actuator based on the estimated position. A method of manufacturing a shape memory actuator includes: laser processing; thermomechanical processing; and training the shape memory alloy.

The application discloses a kind of shape memory alloy driver's modeling and closed loop displacement control method, this method with inverse hysteresis feedforward compensation and SMC-PID feedback displacement control method as core, the positive model of shape memory alloy driver is established, and inverse model is obtained by inversion, adaptive SMC-PID feedback controller is designed, the positive model, inverse model and SMC-PID feedback controller are combined, and the control system for the closed loop displacement control of shape memory alloy driver is constructed;The control system designed is modeled and simulated test using Matlab / Simulink software, by selecting different tracking signals, observe the closed loop displacement control effect of shape memory alloy driver.Shape memory alloy driver's modeling and closed loop displacement control method of the application has excellent control effect under shape memory alloy driver back and forth, continuous heating deformation, continuous cooling deformation and other various motion conditions, with high tracking accuracy, small delay, realizes the strong robustness of system hysteresis and parameter uncertainty.

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

This disclosure provides a self-locking structure for a focusing motor and a camera, comprising: a base; a carrier, the carrier being movably disposed on the base along an optical axis for supporting a lens; a locking member, the locking member being movably connected to the base and configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the locking member abuts against and locks the carrier, and in the unlocked position the locking member releases the carrier, allowing the carrier to move along the optical axis; an elastic member, the elastic member being disposed on the base and configured to apply a force to the locking member, causing the locking member to always have a tendency to move towards the locked position; and a shape memory alloy actuator, the shape memory alloy actuator being connected to the locking member and configured to overcome the force of the elastic member when activated, driving the locking member to move to the unlocked position.

The application discloses a shape memory alloy actuator, comprising: a shell, a first position and a second position are arranged in the shell; a moving piece, which is movably arranged in the shell and moves between the first position and the second position; a first elastic piece, which is arranged in the shell and abuts one side of the moving piece; a second elastic piece, which is arranged in the shell and abuts the other side of the moving piece; the second elastic piece is a shape memory alloy; in the case that the second elastic piece is not affected by temperature, the first elastic piece and the second elastic piece act on the moving piece, so that the moving piece is located at the first position; in the case that the second elastic piece is deformed due to temperature influence, the first elastic piece acts on the moving piece, so that the moving piece moves from the first position to the second position, the second elastic piece is separated from the moving piece, and the second elastic piece is temporarily not affected by temperature. The shape memory alloy actuator has self-protection and self-recovery functions, shape memory alloy damage is avoided, the actuator structure is simple, cost is saved, and the volume is miniaturized.

Shape memory alloy actuator assemblies are disclosed. An actuator assembly comprises a first part (2002), a first support means (2003) and a platform (2004). The first support means supports the platform on the first part. The platform is tiltable about a first axis and / or a second axis (2011, 2012) that are non-parallel and perpendicular to a main axis (2009) through the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly further comprises a second support means (2005) and a second part (2006). The second support means supports the second part on the platform such that the second part tilts with the platform. The actuator assembly further comprises a drive means (2007; Fig. 22) comprising four segments of shape memory alloy wire (20101, 20102, 20103, 20104). The four segments of shape memory alloy wire are connected between the second part and the first part of the actuator assembly. The first support means is configured to guide tilting of the platform about the first axis and / or the second axis and to constrain rotation of the platform about the main axis. The platform defines a first plane (2500; Fig. 25) that is tiltable and has a normal (2501; Fig. 25) such that tilting the platform tilts the normal away from the main axis. The second support means is configured to constrain tilting of the second part relative to the platform, to constrain lateral movement of the second part perpendicular to the normal, and to guide axial movement of the second part relative to the platform along the normal.

This invention relates to the field of automatic control and processing technology, specifically to an adaptive control method for crushing construction solid waste. The method includes real-time acquisition of particle size, rebar ratio, moisture content, strength, and feed rate via a multi-source sensor array; generation of operating condition vectors via a cross-modal fusion network; and training of a convolutional neural network to output rotor speed, cavity clearance, hydraulic pressure, screen aperture size, and shape memory alloy deformation. This application also relates to adaptive control equipment for crushing construction solid waste. The controller of this application synchronously drives a variable frequency motor, hydraulic cylinder, variable screen, and Ni-Ti shape memory alloy actuator, completing reversible geometric adjustment within 10 seconds. This enables rapid switching between coarse and fine crushing, incremental updates via online particle size detection and energy consumption metering feedback network, forming a perception-decision-execution closed loop. This significantly reduces energy consumption, substantially improves particle size qualification rate, extends liner life, reduces the need for manual intervention, enhances overall operational stability and intelligence, and reduces dust emissions.

An electronic device may include a lens module with a tunable lens. The tunable lens may include a flexible lens element and a lens shaping structure attached to the flexible lens element. The lens shaping structure may include a plurality of tabs that are each coupled to a respective actuator. The actuator may move the tab up and down along an axis of displacement. The actuator may have a structure that is configured to rotate about a pivot structure. At least one shape memory alloy (SMA) wire may be attached to an upper portion of the structure and at least one SMA wire may be attached to a lower portion of the structure. The SMA wires may be controlled to selectively rotate the structure, thereby controlling the position of a tab along the axis of displacement.

This invention provides a building exterior wall panel with an integrated passive ventilation cavity, belonging to the technical field of building exterior wall panel technology, aiming to solve the problems of poor heat dissipation in summer and poor thermal insulation in winter of traditional exterior wall panels. The panel includes a panel body composed of an exterior decorative layer, an insulation core layer, and an inner lining layer; a ventilation cavity disposed between the exterior decorative layer and the insulation core layer and distributed along the height of the panel; and a thermally actuated switch assembly disposed at the air inlet or outlet of the ventilation cavity. This switch assembly utilizes a two-way shape memory alloy actuator to automatically open or close the ventilation opening according to the ambient temperature. In hot summer weather, the ventilation opening opens, using the thermal pressure effect to form a "cooling chimney" to remove heat; in cold winter weather, the ventilation opening closes, reducing heat loss and thus improving thermal insulation. This device can adapt to the external ambient temperature and passively adjust the wall performance to reduce building energy consumption.

The present embodiments relate to a rotational actuator using a set of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to cause rotational motion of an actuator body. The actuator body can include a fixed portion configured to remain static and a moving portion configured to rotate. A set of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators can be connected to the actuator body. Each SMA actuator can include a fixed end fixed to the fixed portion of the actuator body and a free end in contact to the moving portion. Each SMA actuator can include a SMA material disposed between the fixed end and the free end. Each SMA actuator can, in response to an electrical current, extend or retract to enable rotation of the moving portion in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

Various examples relate to electrically actuated valves. Various examples relate to actuators for valves, e.g., shape memory alloy actuators or electromagnetic actuators (151) or piezoelectric actuators. Various examples relate to a modular concept in which a valve can be formed by attaching actuator components (601) to a housing. Various examples relate to another modular concept in which multiple valve blocks are capable of being fluidically coupled to one another, each valve block including one or more valves.

The invention discloses a spatial structure profile active adjustment actuator and an adjustment method, and relates to the technical field of communication equipment. The bottom of the outer cylinder mechanism is connected to a lower section vertical cable of the antenna, a plurality of limiting groove groups extending in the axial direction are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the inner side wall of the outer cylinder mechanism, and each limiting groove group comprises a plurality of limiting holes arranged at equal intervals in the axial direction; the inner cylinder mechanism is coaxially sleeved with the outer cylinder mechanism and can move in the axial direction of the outer cylinder mechanism, and the top of the inner cylinder mechanism is connected to an upper section vertical cable of the antenna; the main driving element is a first shape memory alloy actuator and is connected between the outer cylinder mechanism and the inner cylinder mechanism; the adjacent limiting groove sets in the circumferential direction are arranged in an axial stepped staggered mode, it is ensured that at least two positioning pins are embedded into the limiting holes at any locking position at the same time, and multi-point locking is achieved. The device can realize precise bidirectional stepped displacement adjustment, has the advantages of high precision, high reliability, low impact, energy conservation and space interference resistance, and is suitable for profile active adjustment of a space deployable antenna.

A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a support structure (2) and a movable element (10). A helical bearing arrangement (20) supporting the movable element on the support structure guides helical movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure around a helical axis (H). At least one shape memory alloy actuator wire (60) is connected between the support structure and the movable element in, or at an acute angle to, a plane normal to the helical axis, so as to drive rotation of the movable element around the helical axis which the helical bearing arrangement converts into said helical movement.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a lever pivotable about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position, a mount coupled to the lever and radially offset from the pivot axis, and an actuator coupled to the lever and moveable between an extended position corresponding to the first position of the lever and a retracted position corresponding to the second position of the lever. The SMA actuator also includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) element connected to the mount. In response to heat being applied to the SMA element, the SMA element changes between an extended state and a contracted state. The lever is configured to pivot from the first position corresponding to the SMA element being in the contracted state to the second position corresponding to the SMA element being in the extended state.

A shape memory alloy, SMA, actuator assembly (1) comprising a first part (4) comprising a first surface (4f); a second part (20) which is movable relative to the first part across the first surface; one or more SMA elements (80) arranged, on actuation, to drive movement of the second part relative to the first part, wherein the SMA actuator assembly is arranged such that the second part and the first surface are biased against each other with a normal force, thereby generating a frictional force therebetween; and a controller configured to control actuation of the one or more SMA elements. The controller is configured to: cause the supply of power at a first power level to the one or more SMA elements to drive movement of the second part relative to the first part; and cause the supply of power at a second power level, lower than the first power level, to the one or more SMA elements to apply a force to the second part which is sufficient, in combination with the frictional force between the first surface and the second part, to hold the second part in position relative to the first part.

The invention discloses a shape memory alloy driver. The shape memory alloy driver comprises a fixing mechanism, a speed reducing mechanism, at least one first shape memory alloy wire, at least one second shape memory alloy wire and a motion conversion mechanism. The transmission ratio of the reducing mechanism is less than 1; the first shape memory alloy wire is partially wound on the input part of the speed reducing mechanism in the first direction, one end of the first shape memory alloy wire is connected to the input part of the speed reducing mechanism, and the other end of the first shape memory alloy wire is connected to the fixing mechanism; the second shape memory alloy wire is partially wound around the input part of the speed reducing mechanism in the second direction, one end of the second shape memory alloy wire is connected to the input part of the speed reducing mechanism, and the other end of the second shape memory alloy wire is connected to the fixing mechanism. The motion conversion mechanism is connected to an output shaft of the speed reducing mechanism. The shape memory alloy driver can drive an execution part to generate a large stroke, and then the application requirements of all fields for the large stroke are met.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator (100) for a camera assembly, comprising:—a support structure supporting an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is susceptible to interference caused by magnetic flux; —a moveable part moveable relative to the support structure; one or more SMA components (12) connected between the moveable part and the support structure, wherein the one or more SMA components are configured to, on contraction, drive movement of the movable part; —a first electrical path and a second electrical path defined between, and / or including, each of the one or more SMA components (12) and respective electrical terminals (3a); and wherein the first and second electrical paths of each of the one or more SMA components are configured to, at least in part, extend adjacently to and in parallel with each other, and enabling the electrical current in the respective paths to flow in opposite directions, so as to minimise combined magnetic flux from the first and second electrical paths into the electronic component.