WO2009006365A1 - Actionneur à repli continu - Google Patents

Actionneur à repli continu Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009006365A1
WO2009006365A1 PCT/US2008/068707 US2008068707W WO2009006365A1 WO 2009006365 A1 WO2009006365 A1 WO 2009006365A1 US 2008068707 W US2008068707 W US 2008068707W WO 2009006365 A1 WO2009006365 A1 WO 2009006365A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
elongated element
actuator
portions
activation
elongated
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/068707
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Dickory Rudduck
Sigurd Anthony Ii Nelson
Original Assignee
Telezygology, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telezygology, Inc. filed Critical Telezygology, Inc.
Publication of WO2009006365A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009006365A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G—SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03G7/00—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
    • F03G7/06—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like
    • F03G7/065—Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like using a shape memory element

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an actuator capable of selective activation. More specifically it relates to an actuator having a continuous, elongated element with the ability to selectively activate portions of the element to produce accumulated movement.
  • Actuators utilizing smart materials have been gaining popularity over recent years. There is an extremely wide range of applications for such actuators ranging from uses on aircraft, automobiles, computers, and personal home use. While the uses of smart materials in actuators are seemingly endless, there are some drawbacks. Smart materials tend to have a limited useful lifespan, may be prone to breakage, and can only contract consistently about 3%. Therefore there is a demand to improve the lifespan on the material and to amplify the movement achieved by contraction.
  • This invention relates to an actuator comprising: - an elongated element having a material adapted to contract when activated, the elongated element having a first portion disposed in a first direction and a second portion disposed in a second direction being different from the first direction;
  • an output element adapted for movement upon activation of any of the first portion of the elongated element, the second portion of the elongated element or both portions of the elongated element.
  • This material adapted to contract when activated is preferably shape memory alloy (SMA) wire or strips.
  • SMA shape memory alloy
  • Shape memory alloys are known and are usually made predominantly or wholly of titanium and nickel. They may also include other material, such as aluminium, zinc and copper.
  • a shape memory alloy is capable of adopting one shape below a predetermined transition temperature and changing to a second shape once its temperature exceeds the transition temperature. Conversely, when the shape memory alloy cools below the transition temperature, it is capable of adopting the first shape again.
  • the shape memory alloy contracts when heated in situ.
  • Shape memory alloy wire currently available, such as that sold under the trade mark Nitinol is capable of contracting by about 3% when activated by heating.
  • Activation of the material adapted to contract when activated is preferably achieved through electrical resistance heating, with a wire feed to the assembly.
  • Activation of the shape memory alloy wire can be initiated from a central location, using the wiring system of, for example, a security system. It is also within the scope of this invention that the activation is initiated by remote means, such as a hand held tool operating through the use of any suitable form of energy, including microwave, electric magnetic, sonic, infra-red, radio frequency and so on.
  • the scope of the invention in its various aspects is not necessarily limited to the use of shape memory alloy. Other material may also be useful. Also, while activation may take place through heating, other means of activation may be suitable and are within the scope of this invention.
  • the SMA material may include multiple portions. For example, there may be a third portion disposed in the first direction, a fourth portion disposed in the second direction, a fifth portion disposed in the first direction, a sixth portion in the second direction and so on and so forth. There need not be a limit on the number of portions included within the actuator. These portions may be in equal or unequal length to each other, may be arranged in increasing or decreasing length, may be parallel or in a circle with each other, etc.
  • the SMA material is to be fixed at one end and attached to the output element at the other end and is maintained with the activation means and output element within a supporting structure.
  • This supporting structure may encompass a variety of shapes. It may rectangular, cubed, an annular cylinder, or any other curved three-dimensional shape. This supporting structure may deformable and comprise ribs to provide added buckling support during activation.
  • the supporting structure includes means for separating the portions of the elongated element. These means for separating a designed to fit within the shape of the supporting structure and provide a support path for the continuous SMA element. Other embodiments may include a scenario whereby the supporting structure allows the portions of the SMA element to be slidably attached other portions along the structure.
  • the aim of this invention is to selectively heat portions of the SMA element to create movement.
  • the means for activation is included in a circuit board having bridging tracks.
  • the bridging tracks prevent activation at any portion along the elongated element.
  • the bridging tracks need not necessarily comprise a track but can also be a wire or be a gold plated element of the el ongated element.
  • portions of the SMA element will be activated and contract. This action causes movement of the output element that is amplified as each activated portion is contracted.
  • portions can be activated incrementally or can be activated all once.
  • the bridging tracks are employed to compress portions of the continuous SMA element. This compression causes the compressed portion to short circuit and remain inactivated. This action allows portions of the continuous SMA material to activate and other portions to remain in their steady state, inactive position.
  • a re-biasing means can be utilized, such as a leaf re-bias spring, to bring the activated portions back to their steady state position.
  • the activating means may also comprise a peltier heat pump which can aid in the heating and/or cooling of the SMA material.
  • FIG. 1 details the actuator in its inactive state; the output shaft in its steady state position.
  • FIG. 2 details the actuator in its active position; the output shaft in an outward position.
  • FIG. 3 details the actuator in its inactive position with the circuit board and bridging track detail.
  • FIG. 4 details the actuator in its active position with the circuit board and bridging track detail.
  • FIG. 5 depicts the circuit board detail.
  • FIG. 6 depicts the actuator whereby the SMA material is slidably attached and in its steady state position.
  • FIG. 7 depicts the actuator whereby the SMA material is slidably attached and in its activated position.
  • FIG. 8 details the actuator in its inactive position with the circuit board and bridging track detail.
  • FIG. 9 details the actuator in its active position with the circuit board and bridging track detail.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator detailing the SMA material.
  • FIG. 11 depicts an annular embodiment of the actuator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • the preferred embodiment of this actuator capable of selective heating 2 comprises a continuous, elongated element 4 having material adapted to contract when activated, a means for selectively activating 10 the elongated element 4, and an output element 6.
  • the elongated element 4 has a first portion 4a opposed in a first direction and a second portion 4b disposed in a second direction being different from the first direction. It is preferred if there are numerous portions such as a third portion 4c of the elongated element disposed in the first direction and a fourth portion 4b disposed in the second direction. This can repeat in as many portions as desired.
  • FIGS. 1-4 depict a preferred embodiment whereby the elongated element 4 is attached at one end of the output shaft 6 and fixed at the other.
  • FIGS. 6-9 depict another preferred embodiment whereby the elongated element 4 may be attached at one end of the output shaft 6 and fixed at the other.
  • the main feature of the actuator 2 in FIGS. 6-9 is that each portion is slidably attached to the other portions.
  • the first portion 4a is joined with the second portion 4b and slidably attached to the third portion 4c which is joined with the fourth portion 4c. This can repeat in as many portions as desired.
  • Preferred embodiments will include a means for actuation 10 having a circuit board 14 and bridging tracks 12.
  • the bridging tracks 12 prevent activation at any portion along the elongated element 4.
  • portions of the elongated element 4 will be activated and contract. This action causes movement along the elongated element 4 and thereby movement of the output element 6 that is amplified as each activated portion is contracted. It is desired that the portions can be activated incrementally or can be activated all once.
  • the bridging tracks 12 are employed to compress portions of the elongated element 4. This compression causes the compressed portion to short circuit and remain inactivated.
  • FIGS. 1-4 the first portion 4a is shown to be inactivated and the second portion 4b is shown to be activated.
  • FIGS. 6-9 the first portion 4a is shown to be activated and the second portion 4b is shown to be inactivated.
  • a re-bias means (not shown) can be included to re-bias the elongated element 4 after activation.
  • the elongated element 4, the activating means 10, and the output element 6 are to be within a supporting structure 16.
  • This supporting structure 16 can be in the shape of a rectangle, cube, annular cylinder, can be parallelpiped, or in any other curved three- dimensional shape.
  • This supporting structure 16 can also be deformable.
  • the supporting structure 16 preferably includes means for separating each portion 18.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un actionneur ayant un élément allongé continu capable d'activer sélectivement des parties de l'élément afin de produire un mouvement accumulé. Plus spécifiquement, elle concerne un actionneur comprenant un élément allongé ayant un matériau adapté pour se contracter lorsqu'il est activé, l'élément allongé ayant une première partie disposée dans une première direction et une seconde partie disposée dans une seconde direction qui est différente de la première direction, des moyens destinés à activer sélectivement l'élément allongé à l'aide de la première partie de l'élément allongé, de la seconde partie de l'élément allongé ou des première et seconde parties de l'élément allongé, et un élément de sortie adapté afin d'effectuer un mouvement lors de l'activation de la première partie de l'élément allongé, de la seconde partie de l'élément allongé ou des deux parties de l'élément allongé.
PCT/US2008/068707 2007-06-29 2008-06-30 Actionneur à repli continu WO2009006365A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US94702707P 2007-06-29 2007-06-29
US60/947,027 2007-06-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009006365A1 true WO2009006365A1 (fr) 2009-01-08

Family

ID=40226502

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2008/068707 WO2009006365A1 (fr) 2007-06-29 2008-06-30 Actionneur à repli continu

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2009006365A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2613049A1 (fr) * 2010-09-02 2013-07-10 Olympus Corporation Actionneur en alliage à mémoire de forme
EP2472112A4 (fr) * 2009-08-25 2015-09-16 Olympus Corp Actionneur en alliage à mémoire de forme
US20200256324A1 (en) * 2014-05-13 2020-08-13 Alfred R. Austen Dynamic anti-buckling support for a long slender member with a high axial compression stress state and changing length

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4497241A (en) * 1983-12-07 1985-02-05 Katou Hatsujo Kaisha Ltd. Device for automatically adjusting angle of louver
US5996346A (en) * 1993-07-28 1999-12-07 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Electrically activated multi-jointed manipulator
US6574958B1 (en) * 1999-08-12 2003-06-10 Nanomuscle, Inc. Shape memory alloy actuators and control methods
US7188473B1 (en) * 2004-04-26 2007-03-13 Harry HaruRiko Asada Shape memory alloy actuator system using segmented binary control

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4497241A (en) * 1983-12-07 1985-02-05 Katou Hatsujo Kaisha Ltd. Device for automatically adjusting angle of louver
US5996346A (en) * 1993-07-28 1999-12-07 The Board Of Trustees Of The Leland Stanford Junior University Electrically activated multi-jointed manipulator
US6574958B1 (en) * 1999-08-12 2003-06-10 Nanomuscle, Inc. Shape memory alloy actuators and control methods
US7188473B1 (en) * 2004-04-26 2007-03-13 Harry HaruRiko Asada Shape memory alloy actuator system using segmented binary control

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2472112A4 (fr) * 2009-08-25 2015-09-16 Olympus Corp Actionneur en alliage à mémoire de forme
EP2613049A1 (fr) * 2010-09-02 2013-07-10 Olympus Corporation Actionneur en alliage à mémoire de forme
EP2613049A4 (fr) * 2010-09-02 2016-03-30 Olympus Corp Actionneur en alliage à mémoire de forme
US20200256324A1 (en) * 2014-05-13 2020-08-13 Alfred R. Austen Dynamic anti-buckling support for a long slender member with a high axial compression stress state and changing length
US11732699B2 (en) * 2014-05-13 2023-08-22 Alfred R. Austen Dynamic anti-buckling support for a long slender member with a high axial compression stress state and changing length

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