49 results about "Sma actuator" patented technology

An SMA actuator assembly includes two parts movable relative to each other along a motion axis and a length of SMA wire, with each end of the SMA wire connected to one of the parts. One part includes a contact portion, while the other part includes more than one contact portion, the contact portions contacting the SMA wire on opposite sides along the motion axis. The contact portions alternate in a direction normal to the motion axis and are positioned to guide the SMA wire along a zigzag path, such that the parts are driven in opposite directions when the SMA wire contracts. Considering intermediate sections of the SMA wire between contact with adjacent contact portions, the rate of change of the wire length of each intermediate section during contraction of the SMA wire is equal to the total strain of the SMA wire, and there is no slippage of the SMA wire.

First and second closure members are moveable between an extended position and a contracted position. A first actuator assembly is supported by a first end of a circuit board and comprises a first actuator body coupled to the first closure member. A second actuator assembly is supported by a second end of the circuit board and comprises a second actuator coupled to the second closure member. Each actuator body is in electrical contact with an electrical contact surface on a first side of the circuit board and with an electrical contact surface on a second side of the circuit board. First and second SMA actuators extend between the first actuator body and the second actuator body. Each actuator moves a respective one of the first and second closure member to the contracted position in response to an electrical input.

An actuator assembly 1 comprises a support structure 2, 4 and a movable part 8 with at least one SMA wire 10, 16, 17, 18 having first and second lengths 11, 12. The first and second lengths 11, 12 are arranged over or around an engagement member 19, so that they are able to apply a force, on contraction, in a force direction to rotate the movable part relative to the support structure. An angle between the force direction and at least a portion of the first length of SMA wire adjacent the engagement member is non-zero and acute. This arrangement provides an SMA actuator assembly for increasing wire stroke without unduly increasing the size of the assembly.

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 present embodiments relate to a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator with a joint between an SMA wire the SMA actuator being disposed at a bottom surface of the SMA actuator. The SMA actuator can include at least one fixed end configured to be fixed to a carriage, at least one free end, at least one beam connecting the fixed end and the free end, and at least one SMA wire. The at least one SMA wire can be electrically connected to the at least one fixed end and the at least one free end via electrical contact portions. The position of the at least one SMA wire being affixed to the bottom surface can allow for reduced stress and a wire exit angle at the weld joint between each SMA wire and the actuator, improving resiliency of the SMA actuator.

A pneumatic pressure control valve is described, comprising a housing (1) in which a valve chamber (2) is formed with a supply opening (3) for supplying compressed gas into the valve chamber (2), a connecting opening (4) for connection to a cushion to be filled with gas, and an actuator opening (5) for connecting the valve chamber (2) to an actuator chamber, wherein an actuator (20) with a movable adjusting element (7) is arranged in the housing (1), wherein the adjusting element (7) is formed with a plunger (11) projecting through the actuator opening (5), the end of which projecting into the valve chamber (2) is connected to a plate (6), wherein a membrane (8) is arranged in the valve chamber (2) and is connected airtight to the valve chamber wall and divides the valve chamber (2) into two regions,wherein the plate (6) of the tappet (11) is arranged in a first region (9) and is mechanically connected to the membrane (8) via a spring element (12), and wherein an actuating pin (13) of a valve plate (14) connected to the membrane (8) is arranged in a second region (10), wherein the valve plate (14) is arranged on the outside of the valve chamber (2) and, depending on the position of the membrane (8), opens or closes the supply opening (3) via the actuating pin (13), wherein the actuator (6) is an SMA actuator.

The invention provides an engine oil-water separation fault-tolerant control method and system based on redundancy perception, and relates to the technical field of engine control, and the method comprises the steps: when an engine is started, starting a water separator in parallel to carry out oil-water separation with a preset fixed split ratio; synchronously electrifying the main sensor group and the backup sensor, and carrying out data consistency cross verification; if the verification is passed, sensing deviation analysis of the main sensor group is carried out; if the credibility is greater than a preset confidence threshold, performing shunting parameter adjustment prediction, and outputting a real-time shunting ratio; a PWM current instruction generated according to the real-time shunt ratio is sent to an SMA actuator, and stepless regulation of the shunt ratio is carried out; and split ratio adjustment iteration is carried out until a steady-state lubrication working condition is entered. The technical problems that in the prior art, a plurality of sensors and proportional control valves need to be installed in a lubricating system, so that the number of parts is increased, the structure is complicated, and the production cost and the system failure rate are increased are solved.

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.

A material-actuated door includes a door housing including a flexible material; and one or more least one Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators embedded in the door housing. Each SMA actuator is elastically biased in a first actuator physical state and is configured to transition into a second actuator physical state in response to receiving electrical current. The material-actuated door is transitioned into a first door position in response to disconnecting the electrical current to the at least one SMA actuator, and is transitioned into a second door position in response to delivering the electrical current to the at least one SMA actuator.

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.

The present invention discloses a cooling method and device for a shape memory alloy actuator. Liquid metal is placed directly below the heat dissipation part of the SMA actuator. An electric field force is applied to the liquid metal, causing the liquid metal to generate a surface tension gradient from bottom to top, thereby causing the surface of the liquid metal to overcome gravity and gather upward and contact the part of the SMA actuator to be dissipated. The electric field force in the liquid metal is eliminated, causing the surface of the liquid metal to return to its original state and separate from the part of the SMA actuator that completes heat dissipation. The liquid metal is used as a cooling medium to quickly absorb and conduct heat generated by the SMA actuator. A surface tension gradient is formed by applying an electric field force to the liquid metal, triggering an electric reduction effect, causing the liquid metal to become spherical under the action of the surface tension difference and contact the surface of the SMA actuator, thereby enhancing the heat transfer efficiency.

An SMA actuator assembly comprises a support structure 141, a movable part 130, and a bearing arrangement arranged to guide movement of the movable part relative to the support structure parallel to a

The invention relates to a pneumatic valve having a fluid supply port, a fluid outlet port and a fluid discharge opening, further having: a valve chamber having a fluid supply opening connected to the fluid supply port, a fluid outlet opening connected to the fluid outlet port, and a trigger opening connected to an actuator chamber of the valve, the actuator chamber having a fluid discharge opening; and an actuator formed with an SMA wire, an actuating element on which a sealing element is arranged, the sealing element being pressed against the trigger opening by the reset element in an unactuated state of the actuator and opening the trigger opening in an actuated state of the actuator, a reset element, and a printed circuit board. According to the invention, a diaphragm is provided which divides the valve chamber into two regions, the first region being connected to the trigger opening and the second region being connected to the fluid supply opening, the edge of the diaphragm being clamped between the cup-shaped element and the cover element inserted in the cup-shaped element, at least one passage opening being formed in the clamping region between the first region and the second region.

The present invention discloses a liquid lens focusing device, a camera module, and an electronic device. The liquid lens focusing and anti-shake device comprises: a liquid lens; an SMA actuator, wherein the SMA actuator comprises an SMA wire and two actuating bodies, wherein the SMA wire can be energized and contracted; each actuating body comprises a connecting rod, a support portion, and a first elastic arm, wherein one end of the connecting rod is connected to the SMA wire, and one end of the connecting rod is elastically connected to the support portion, and the first elastic arm is disposed between the connecting rod and the support portion, and the first elastic arm can be elastically bent; and a driven member, wherein one end of the connecting rod is hingedly connected to the driven member, and the driven member is provided with an adjustment ring, and the SMA wire can drive the adjustment ring to move by contraction to contact and squeeze the liquid lens. The present invention can make the displacement of the adjustment ring greater than the contraction of the SMA wire, thereby achieving a larger focusing stroke while maintaining a small actuator size, which is conducive to miniaturization. Furthermore, by coaxially hingedly connecting the two connecting rods in the SMA actuator, the tilt of the adjustment ring is improved, thereby improving imaging quality.

The present embodiment relates to a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator that requires a reduced number of materials for manufacturing the actuator. In some cases, the elements of the SMA actuator may include disposing a dielectric material on the actuator via an injection molding process. In other cases, the SMA actuator may position the SMA wire over a base of the SMA actuator without using any dielectric material. In a first example, an SMA actuator may include a bracket and a base. The base may include a fixed end secured to the bracket, a free end, a beam connecting the fixed end and the free end, and at least one SMA wire. The SMA actuator may further include an insulator including a dielectric material to electrically isolate the set of electrical contacts at the fixed end.

A peristaltic pump comprising a flexible conduit for containing a fluid; and an SMA actuator assembly comprising: a compressor part configured to compress the flexible conduit as the compressor part moves relative to the flexible conduit; and one or more SMA elements configured, on contraction, to cause the compressor part to be driven over a continuous range relative to the flexible conduit so as to compress the flexible conduit and displace fluid within the flexible conduit.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly 1 comprises a second part 20 movable relative to a first part 4 across a first surface, and at least one SMA element 80 to drive movement of the second part. The SMA actuator assembly provides a bias between the second part and the first surface with a normal force to generate a static frictional force that constrains movement of the second part when the SMA element is not actuated. A controller controls actuation of the SMA element. The controller may, during a power-on sequence of the SMA element, increase power supplied to the SMA element gradually from zero to an operating power and / or, during a power-off sequence of the SMA element, decrease power supplied to the SMA element gradually from an operating power to zero. Alternatively, for at least one position of the second part, the actuator assembly may provide a residual net force along the movement direction when the SMA element is unpowered, and the controller obtains an indication of a target position of the second part, outputs one or more drive signals to the SMA element to move the second part to an intermediate position displaced from the target position along the movement direction, and power-off the SMA element such that second part moves towards the target position under the action of the residual net force.

The present embodiments relate to a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator with a reduced number of materials for manufacturing the actuator. In some instances, elements of the SMA actuator can comprise a dielectric material disposed on the actuator via an injection molding process. In other instances, the SMA actuator can dispose SMA wires above a base of the SMA actuator without the use of any dielectric material. In a first example, an SMA actuator can include a carriage and a base. The base can include a fixed end fixed to the carriage, a free end, a beam connecting the fixed end and the free end, and at least one SMA wire. The SMA actuator can also include an insulator comprising a dielectric material electrically isolating a set of electrical contacts at the fixed end.

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.

A pneumatic valve comprises a housing with an air chamber having supply, connecting and discharge openings. An actuator with a movable closing element is arranged in the housing, featuring a plunger, which projects through the discharge opening with a plate and a first sealing element for closing the discharge opening with an elastic element which, in the activated state, presses said sealing element against the discharge opening The actuator is in the form of an SMA actuator, wherein the actuator element is configured to, in a non-energized state, bring the actuating element to a first state in which it presses the plunger against the supply opening, and to, in an energized state, bring the actuating element to a second state in which the actuating portion does not exert any force on the plunger, wherein a second sealing element is arranged in the air chamber and functions as a check valve.

The invention provides a bionic octopus submarine pipeline welding robot, and relates to the technical field of robots, a main body structure adopts a semielliptical spherical pressure-resistant shell, a reinforcing support framework and a pneumatic bistable device are arranged in the semielliptical spherical pressure-resistant shell, and the pneumatic bistable device is used for driving a water-jet propeller to realize multi-degree-of-freedom movement of the robot; the mechanical arm system comprises multi-joint mechanical arms, the multi-joint mechanical arms are evenly arranged on the periphery of the main body structure, each multi-joint mechanical arm comprises a plurality of joints, a flexible telescopic rod and a bionic vacuum suction cup, the joints are matched in a non-linear connection mode, and the bionic vacuum suction cups are arranged at the tail ends of the multi-joint mechanical arms; an SMA actuator is arranged in the flexible telescopic rod, the flexible telescopic rod generates eccentric driving force through contraction of the SMA actuator, and position control and space bending movement of the bionic vacuum suction cup in the vertical direction are achieved. And the welding module at the tail end of the multi-joint mechanical arm can be modularly replaced and is used for executing submarine pipeline welding operation.

An SMA actuator assembly (1) comprising: a support structure (10), a rotating part (40) arranged to rotate about a rotation axis (R); a movable part (20) arranged to move in a plane perpendicular to t

A pneumatic pressure control valve is described, comprising a housing (1) in which a valve chamber (2) is formed with a supply opening (3) for supplying compressed gas into the valve chamber (2), a connecting opening (4) for connection to a cushion to be filled with gas, and an actuator opening (5) for connecting the valve chamber (2) to an actuator chamber, wherein an actuator (20) with a movable adjusting element (7) is arranged in the housing (1), wherein the adjusting element (7) is formed with a plunger (11) projecting through the actuator opening (5), the end of which projecting into the valve chamber (2) is connected to a plate (6), wherein a membrane (8) is arranged in the valve chamber (2) and is connected airtight to the valve chamber wall and divides the valve chamber (2) into two regions,wherein the plate (6) of the tappet (11) is arranged in a first region (9) and is mechanically connected to the membrane (8) via a spring element (12), and wherein an actuating pin (13) of a valve plate (14) connected to the membrane (8) is arranged in a second region (10), wherein the valve plate (14) is arranged on the outside of the valve chamber (2) and, depending on the position of the membrane (8), opens or closes the supply opening (3) via the actuating pin (13), wherein the actuator (6) is an SMA actuator.

This invention proposes a multi-directional pulse propulsion underwater soft robot and its operating method based on bistable SMA (Stable Motion Assisted Mullion) drive, belonging to the field of underwater robot technology. It solves the problems of slow swimming speed and low energy utilization efficiency of traditional underwater flexible soft robots, as well as the slow engine reset, requirement for a dedicated reset mechanism, inability to achieve continuous motion, and single-direction pulse jet propulsion of SMA-driven soft robots. The robot includes a biomimetic bell-shaped jar, a propulsion actuator, and a center-of-gravity adjustment mechanism. The biomimetic bell-shaped jar surrounds the propulsion actuator and the center-of-gravity adjustment mechanism. The propulsion actuator includes a support transmission structure and a bistable SMA actuator. The bistable SMA actuator includes two sets of SMA springs arranged in an antagonistic manner, achieving continuous pulse propulsion through alternating on and off-circuit power. The center-of-gravity adjustment mechanism includes an azimuth rotation component and a radial displacement component, achieving 360° omnidirectional center-of-gravity adjustment in the horizontal plane. It is mainly used for deep-sea exploration and continuous underwater monitoring operations.

A pneumatic valve is described with a valve chamber (14) divided into two separate sections (1, 2) by a diaphragm (M). In the first section, the diaphragm (M) can connect or disconnect a first opening and a second opening (VH2) of the valve chamber (14), forming a 2 / 2 normally open (NO) valve, i.e., the valve is open when the diaphragm (M) is relaxed. The second section (2) can be connected to or disconnected from ambient pressure by means of an SMA actuator (16) (shape memory alloy). When the actuator (16) is not actuated, a connecting opening (VT) of the second section (2) of the valve chamber (14) to ambient pressure is closed. Air flowing into a third opening (VP) of the valve chamber (14), which is connected to the second section (2), can force the diaphragm (M) against the first opening (VH1) by means of high-pressure air, thus closing it.The force of the SMA actuator (16) therefore only needs to be designed to open the fourth opening (VT) for venting the second area (2).

The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and discloses an SMA actuator, a camera module, and an electronic device. The SMA actuator comprises an actuator and a driven part; the actuator portion comprises an SMA wire, a support portion, a first elastic portion, a connecting rod, and a second elastic portion; the SMA wire can be energized and contracted, and one end of the connecting rod is connected to the SMA wire; the first elastic portion is provided between the connecting rod and the support portion, and the second elastic portion is provided at the other end of the connecting rod; the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion can be elastically bent; the driven part is connected to the second elastic portion; the SMA wire can drive the connecting rod and the second elastic arm to swing relative to the support portion by contraction, and the second elastic portion can drive the driven part to move. The present invention can avoid relative movement of the connection portion between the actuator portion and the driven part, thereby avoiding the problem of mutual wear between the portion and the driven part, and thus improving the service life.

A pneumatic valve features a fluid supply port, a fluid outlet port, and a fluid drainage opening. The valve includes a valve chamber with fluid supply, outlet, and trigger openings, and an actuator chamber connected to the trigger opening. An actuator with an SMA wire, actuating and resetting elements, and a printed circuit board is housed within the valve. A sealing element on the actuating element controls the trigger opening, while a membrane divides the valve chamber into two regions and facilitates plunger movement. The plunger connected to the membrane closes the fluid outlet opening in the unactuated state and opens it in the actuated state. The membrane includes a passage opening for fluid flow between the regions, with a smaller cross-section than the trigger opening, facilitating controlled fluid flow within the valve.

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 have a slot that receives the tab of the lens shaping structure and moves the tab up and down along an axis of displacement. The actuator may have an inner gear and an outer gear with a different number of teeth. Positioning equipment may move the outer gear in a circular path to rotate the inner gear. The positioning equipment may include four shape memory actuators with respective parallel SMA wires. Some of the SMA actuators may include flexures to provide a thin form factor for the actuator.

A pneumatic valve having a housing in which a valve chamber is arranged, the valve chamber having a first opening connected to a first housing gas port, a second opening connected to a second housing gas port, and a third opening connecting the valve chamber to an actuator chamber, the actuator chamber being connected to a third housing gas port, an SMA actuator with a movable closing element is arranged in the housing, the closing element is formed by a plunger, the plunger extends through the third opening, a sealing plate is formed at the end of the plunger extending into the valve chamber, and a first sealing element for closing the first opening and a second sealing element for closing the third opening are arranged at the position of the sealing plate. An elastic element is operatively connected to the closing element, the elastic element urges the second sealing element in the direction of the third opening when the pneumatic valve is in an active state, and the plunger and the actuator are connected with a form fit with a gap through the driving element, so that actuation of the actuator causes the plunger to move in the range of the gap through the actuator.

The present embodiments relate to a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator with a reduced number of materials for manufacturing the actuator. In some instances, elements of the SMA actuator can comprise a dielectric material disposed on the actuator via an injection molding process. In other instances, the SMA actuator can dispose SMA wires above a base of the SMA actuator without the use of any dielectric material. In a first example, an SMA actuator can include a carriage and a base. The base can include a fixed end fixed to the carriage, a free end, a beam connecting the fixed end and the free end, and at least one SMA wire. The SMA actuator can also include an insulator comprising a dielectric material electrically isolating a set of electrical contacts at the fixed end.