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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8109087 | Overheating protection for shape memory alloy actuators An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent act... | 02/07/2012 |
| 8096120 | Movable mechanism A movable mechanism having: a fixed body (1); a movable body (4); and a driving member (2), one end of which is attached to the fixed body and the other end of which is attached to the movable body, for changing the position of the movable body,... | 01/17/2012 |
| 8056335 | SMA actuator A shape memory alloy actuated device is provided for engaging a movable object. The device may include a first movable component, a shape memory alloy for moving the first component from a first position to a second position, a biasing element configured to expand t... | 11/15/2011 |
| 8051656 | Shape-memory alloy actuator A shape memory element (a structure formed from a shape memory alloy) includes an electrically conductive ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may be magnetostrictive. In some embodiments, the shape memory element is formed from a shape memory alloy co... | 11/08/2011 |
| 7895836 | Shape memory alloy actuator, apparatus for manufacturing shape memory alloy actuator, method for stringing shape memory alloy, and method for manufacturing shape memory alloy actuator A method of string an SMA, method of manufacturing the SMA actuator, SMA actuator and apparatus for manufacturing the SMA actuator, wherein a drive member made up of an SMA is extended between a moving member and wire supporting member via a drive member supporting ... | 03/01/2011 |
| 7886535 | Position control method for shape memory alloy actuator To provide a position control method for a shape memory alloy actuator that improves positioning accuracy of the actuator while ensuring satisfactory response until achieving positioning, the method includes a commanded resistance value setting step of setting a com... | 02/15/2011 |
| 7882701 | Microfabricated mechanical frequency multiplier A high-bandwidth MEMS actuation system includes actuator pairs coupled in parallel to a stage, each actuator energizable in a drive direction against a bias to an energized position, and movable upon deenergization, to the rest position to define an actuation cycle.... | 02/08/2011 |
| 7866154 | Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method An assembling apparatus (manufacturing apparatus) can assemble an actuator (product) in which a shape memory alloy (SMA) is stretched. In the assembly, the SMA is locked by a first holder, a guide is moved along predetermined movement directions while sending the SM... | 01/11/2011 |
| 7823383 | Actuator driving device An actuator driving device includes: an actuator made of a shape metal alloy having a property that a predetermined shape is memorized in advance, and that the predetermined memorized shape is recovered when the actuator is heated to a predetermined temperature; an ... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7788921 | Shape memory alloy actuator To provide a shape memory alloy actuator using a shape memory alloy that mechanically restrains a moving body in position to prevent oscillation, the actuator has a moving body pushing member adapted to be capable of abutting to the moving body, a bias spring for th... | 09/07/2010 |
| 7779631 | Electro-thermal actuator device An electro-thermal actuator device comprises a case defining a cavity in which are housed a thermal actuator, an electrical heater and, at least partially, an actuating shaft. The device comprises a multipolar connector for the rapid, secure and reliable coupling to... | 08/24/2010 |
| 7665300 | Thin, flexible actuator array to produce complex shapes and force distributions An actuator includes a bistable mechanism having a tension beam and a compression beam defined by a relief slit in a flexible substrate; and a first shape memory element that upon heating actuates the actuator from a first position to a second position. A heat sourc... | 02/23/2010 |
| 7650752 | Drive apparatus, drive system, and drive method An actuator has two shape memory alloys (SMAs) connected in a push-pull arrangement to a movable part. By passing current to each of the SMAs from a drive circuit part, the movable part can be driven. When a target position signal of the movable part is input to the... | 01/26/2010 |
| 7637105 | Smart memory alloy control The invention relates to a method for improving performance and life of a material adapted to contract when heated to a critical temperature such as shape memory alloy wire (SMA). The method includes the steps of measuring ambient temperature before activation, meas... | 12/29/2009 |
| 7555900 | Linear actuator using shape memory wire with controller A linear actuator is provided, comprising a housing defining an interior channel, a stop extending from the housing and displaceable relative to the housing, and at least one wire formed of a shape-memory alloy, the wire being attached at a first end to the stop and... | 07/07/2009 |
| 7444812 | Shape memory alloy MEMS heat engine A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based heat engine capable of converting thermal energy gradients into mechanical or electrical energy, as well as its fabrication process is disclosed. This heat engine design consists of a stressed oscillating beam formed fro... | 11/04/2008 |
| 7414512 | Operating device, position-switching device, and magneto-optical recording/reproducing apparatus An operating device has a pair of linear members (43, 44) made of a shape memory alloy and contracting axially due to heat generated by electrification and generating tension in the contracting direction, a drive lever (19) supported to pivot about a p... | 08/19/2008 |
| 7372355 | Remote controlled wall switch actuator A device to actuate a switch. The switch has a switch toggle movable between a first position and a second position. The device includes a switch yoke movable between the first position and the second position adapted to engage the switch toggle and move therewith. ... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7367119 | Method for forming a reinforced tip for a probe storage device Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention can include a tip contactable with a media. In an embodiment, the tip comprises a substantially hollow structure formed of a metal. The tip can be formed by depositing a first metal layer over silicon ther... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7367186 | Wireless technique for microactivation The present invention is a method and apparatus for achieving high work output per unit volume in micro-robotic actuators, and in particular TiNi actuators. Such actuators are attractive as a means of powering nano-robotic movement, and are being developed for manip... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7364271 | Nozzle arrangement with inlet covering cantilevered actuator A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel. A nozzle extends from the substrate assembly. The nozzle defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet ... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7350762 | Flow control assemblies having integrally formed shape memory alloy actuators In one embodiment of the present invention, a shape memory alloy (“SMA”)-actuated flow controller comprises a number of grille members, each having a long axis and being slideable relative to one another parallel to that long axis. The SMA-actuated flow controll... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7336524 | Atomic probes and media for high density data storage A device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention comprises a contact probe for high density data storage reading, writing, erasing, or rewriting. In one embodiment, the contact probe can include a silicon core having a conductive coating. Contact pro... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7331616 | Hood latch assemblies utilizing active materials and methods of use A latch for engaging and disengaging two opposing surfaces includes a pin disposed on one surface and a gate disposed on an opposite surface; an active material in operative communication with the pin or the gate; an activation device in operative communication with... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7322679 | Inkjet nozzle arrangement with thermal bend actuator capable of differential thermal expansion A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly, in turn, including an electrical drive circuitry layer and defining an ink inlet channel. A nozzle chamber structure extends from the substrate assembly. ... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7313917 | Volume phase transition to induce gel movement Movement of a gel structure is propagated by successively applying external stimuli to cause volume phase transition in the gel structure by alternately causing the gel structure to collapse and swell to move the center of mass of the gel structure in the direction ... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7310965 | Compressor head, internal discriminator, external discriminator, manifold design for refrigeration recovery apparatus The compressor head, internal and/or external discriminator, and manifold design in general utilize ball valves on the suction and discharge of a cylinder head in the recovery of refrigerant liquid and/or vapor. The device facilitates the flashing of liquid refriger... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7309630 | Method for forming patterned media for a high density data storage device Systems in accordance with the present invention can include a tip contactable with a media, the media including a substrate and a plurality of cells disposed over the substrate, one or more of the cells being electrically isolated from the other of the cells by a m... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7305824 | Power-off hold element A power-off hold element for operating in cooperation with an actuator is disclosed. The power-off hold element comprises a material having selectively adjustable rigidity wherein a position or shape of said material is adjustable when energy is applied to increase ... | 12/11/2007 |
| 7299630 | Positioning and locking mechanisms and articles that employ the same Disclosed herein is a locking mechanism for positioning or locking an article comprising a housing 3; an optional active element 6 in operative communication with a connecting means 22, wherein the active element 6 and the connecting mean... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7290853 | Inkjet printhead with a two dimensional array of ink ejection nozzle arrangements A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a wafer substrate assembly defining a plurality of spaced apart groups of ink inlet channels. Groups of ink ejection nozzle arrangements extend from the wafer substrate assembly and are in fluid c... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7288326 | Active energy absorbing cellular metals and method of manufacturing and using the same Multifunctional cellular metals (or other materials) for structural applications that are capable of recovering their original (undeformed) shape and thickness after impact or crushing (i.e., self-healing). Alternatively, they may normally be stored or used in their... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7287827 | Printhead incorporating a two dimensional array of ink ejection ports A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a wafer substrate assembly defining rows of evenly spaced ink inlet channels. Rows of ink ejection nozzle arrangements extend from the wafer substrate assembly and are in fluid communication with ... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7278711 | Nozzle arrangement incorporating a lever based ink displacement mechanism A nozzle arrangement is provided for an ink printer. The arrangement includes a support defining an ink inlet channel. The arrangement includes a wafer substrate, an electrical drive circuitry layer positioned on the wafer substrate, and a passivation layer position... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7278712 | Nozzle arrangement with an ink ejecting displaceable roof structure A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel and a first wall surrounding the ink inlet channel. A thermal actuator includes an anchor extending from the wafer subs... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7280016 | Design of membrane actuator based on ferromagnetic shape memory alloy composite for synthetic jet actuator A membrane actuator includes a magnetically actuatable membrane and a magnetic trigger. The membrane includes a shape memory alloy (SMA), and the magnetic trigger is configured to induce a martensitic transformation in the SMA, to produce a larger force than would b... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7270135 | Dishwasher dispensing assembly actuator mechanism An actuator mechanism is provided for a dishwasher dispensing assembly including a detergent dispenser actuator and a rinse agent dispenser actuator. Shape memory wire is connected to each actuator and is used to open a detergent reservoir and a rinse aid reservoir ... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7267367 | Reversibly expandable energy absorbing assembly utilizing shape memory foams for impact management and methods for operating the same A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a shape memory foam disposed within an interior region, wherein the shape memory foam is adapted to expand to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. The shape memory foam is ... | 09/11/2007 |
| 7260932 | Shape memory alloy latching valve A shape memory activated fluid control pinch valve is disclosed. The valve may be normally open or normally closed. In various embodiments of the valve, the valve may be a latching pinch valve and may operate with magnetic assistance. ... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7258425 | Printhead incorporating leveraged micro-electromechanical actuation A printhead for an inkjet printer comprises a substrate. A drive circuitry layer is positioned on the substrate. A plurality of micro-electromechanical ink ejection assemblies is formed on the substrate. Each ink ejection assembly includes a nozzle chamber structure... | 08/21/2007 |
