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A fork with timer for providing a cue to a user after an elapsed period of time for indicating that another bite of food using the fork may be taken.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7872432 | MEMS thermal device with slideably engaged tether and method of manufacture A MEMS thermal switch is disclosed which couples a hot, expanding beam to a cool flexor beam using a slideably engaged tether, and bends the cool, flexor beam by the expansion of the hot beam. A rigidly engaged tether ties the distal ends of the hot, expanding beam ... | 01/18/2011 |
| 7795823 | Actuation device having shape memory alloy component The present invention provides an actuation device having a shape memory alloy component. The present invention utilizes a length contraction occurred to the shape memory alloy component during its phase transformation from martensite to austenite. The length contra... | 09/14/2010 |
| 6979933 | Apparatus and method for charging and discharging a capacitor An apparatus for electrically stimulating a smart material includes a controllable power source for charging the smart material and/or switching circuitry for discharging the smart material. The controllable power source includes a regulated DC to DC converter havin... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6935121 | Reciprocating and rotary magnetic refrigeration apparatus A reciprocating and rotating magnetic refrigeration apparatus adopts a dynamo concept and the design of magnetic supply path and heat transfer unit to alternately magnetize and demagnetize a magnetocaloric material to generate thermo-magnetic effect for cooling. The... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6803697 | Heat injected magnetically balanced engine Heat energy is converted into mechanical energy through the mobilization of electrical charges within a thermoelectric material. A plurality of plugs of thermoelectric material are mounted on a rotor. Heat energy is directed to one end of each of the plugs. The heat... | 10/12/2004 |
| 6516146 | Actuator using shape memory alloy and method for controlling the same An actuator using a novel shape memory alloy which, even when there is a large difference between a transformation start temperature of the shape memory alloy and a heating start temperature, can diminish a time lag based on the temperature difference fro... | 02/04/2003 |
| 6137206 | Microelectromechanical rotary structures MEMS (Microelectromechanical System) structures are provided that are designed to rotate in response to thermal actuation or the like. In one embodiment, the MEMS rotary structure includes a hub having one or more radial spoke members that impose a rotati... | 10/24/2000 |
| 6124662 | Actuator using electrical contacts pressed in abutment An actuator for selectively exerting a force responsive to an increase or decrease in applied electrical energy, including an electrically conductive member slideably seated within an electrically non-conductive frame, a thermally responsive and electrica... | 09/26/2000 |
| 5831417 | Pseudo-mechanical system incorporating ohmic electromechanical transducer and electrical generator A pseudo-mechanical system in accordance with the invention comprises an electrical generator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the resistive heating of an ohmic electromechanical component, whose consequent form change is e... | 11/03/1998 |
| 5763979 | Actuation system for the control of multiple shape memory alloy elements An actuation system for the control of multiple shape memory alloy elements is achieved by arranging the shape memory actuators into a matrix comprised of rows and columns which results in approximate a fifty percent reduction in the number of electrical ... | 06/09/1998 |
| 5637984 | Pseudo-mechanical system incorporating ohmic electromechanical transducer and electrical generator A pseudo-mechanical system in accordance with the invention comprises an electrical generator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the resistive heating of an ohmic electromechanical component, whose consequent form change is e... | 06/10/1997 |
| 4814908 | Thermo servo for track centering on a disk An apparatus and method for positioning a transducer over the center of a track is disclosed. An arm carries the transducer. Embedded in the arm is a heating element. The heating element is positioned so that the linear expansion or contraction of the arm... | 03/21/1989 |
| 4435665 | Thermal linear actuator A thermal linear actuator assembly comprises, a plurality of primary linear expansion members, a plurality of secondary linear expansion members having a substantially different coefficient of expansion to that of the primary members, the primary and seco... | 03/06/1984 |
| 4431951 | Resistance thermal unit for thermal electric energy demand meter A resistance thermal unit for a thermal electric energy demand meter responsive to a variable electric quantity characterized by a dielectric housing having a pair of opposed chambers for accommodating a pair of thermal responsive bimetallic spiral spring... | 02/14/1984 |
| 4348624 | Thermal servo system for mechanical positioning A thermally controlled servo system in which a member supporting the drive for a device to be accurately positioned is moved relative to a stationary support member in response to changes in temperature of an elongated, tensioned member. Changes in temper... | 09/07/1982 |
| 4310731 | Thermal motion transducer A source of driving signals is coupled to a thermal transducer wire to provide a completed circuit. The source may include a DC bias supply and an audio amplifier. The bias supply heats the wire to a predetermined temperature, and the amplifier heats and ... | 01/12/1982 |
| 4302710 | Sun tracking controller An apparatus which controls the electric tracking motors of solar energy collectors and other solar devices which are adapted to be aimed at the sun.... | 11/24/1981 |
| 4002954 | Trigger circuit A wire of Nitinol can be stretched up to a given amount and will remain in this stretched state until heated to a critical temperature. When heated to the critical temperature, the wire restores to its original length. When the wire restores to its origin... | 01/11/1977 |
