Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches – Electrothermally actuated switches – With longitudinally expansible solid element
Patent
1993-08-02
1995-04-25
Donovan, Lincoln
Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches
Electrothermally actuated switches
With longitudinally expansible solid element
60527, H01M 6106
Patent
active
054102901
ABSTRACT:
The present invention provides several embodiments of an electrical switch that uses a shape memory alloy (SMA). In one embodiment the electrical switch is an on-off switch and comprises a first support member with a first electrical contact mounted thereon, a second support member with a second electrical contact mounted thereon, and a third support member disposed between the first and second support members. A wire element made from a shape memory alloy (SMA) is attached at either end to the third support member. A switch element made of an electrically-conducting material is attached to the SMA wire element at a position intermediate the ends of the wire element. Heating means are provided for selectively heating sections of the SMA wire element in order to make the SMA wire element turn or rotate, thereby causing the switch element to pivot into contact with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3403238 (1968-09-01), Buehler et al.
patent: 3652969 (1972-03-01), Willson et al.
patent: 3731247 (1973-05-01), Levinn
patent: 4679023 (1987-07-01), Nelson
patent: 4684913 (1987-08-01), Yaeger
patent: 4700541 (1987-10-01), Gabriel et al.
patent: 4864824 (1989-09-01), Gabriel et al.
patent: 4965545 (1990-10-01), Johnson
patent: 5061914 (1991-10-01), Busch et al.
patent: 5107898 (1991-05-01), Kuzukawa
patent: 5127228 (1992-07-01), Swenson
patent: 5206775 (1993-04-01), Wilson
Gabriel, K. J. et al., "A Micro Rotary Actuator Using Shape Memory ALloys," Sensors and Actuators 15:95-102 (1988).
Donovan Lincoln
Watts Lynn Fiorito
LandOfFree
Shape memory alloy relays and switches does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Shape memory alloy relays and switches, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Shape memory alloy relays and switches will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1570504