Shape Metal Alloy (SMA) Bimorph Actuators And Methods For Manufacturing The Same

• Main Authors: Pokornowski, Zachary A, Ruzicka, Ryan N, Miller, Mark A, Stroschein, Jeremy J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.10.2024
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; BLASTING; CURRENT COLLECTORS; ELECTRICITY; HEATING; LIGHTING; LINE CONNECTORS; MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOTOTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS; WIND, SPRING WEIGHT AND MISCELLANEOUS MOTORS; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

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.