Method of controlling a shape memory alloy actuator utilizing resistance change

• Main Authors: JOHNSON NANCY L, MANKAME NILESH D, MCKNIGHT GEOFFREY P, GAO XIUJIE, HERRERA GUILLERMO A, PINTO NICHOLAS WILLIAM, BROWNE ALAN L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 29.05.2012
• Subjects: BLASTING; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; MEASURING; MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES; 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; PHYSICS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER; SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; TESTING; WEAPONS; WIND, SPRING WEIGHT AND MISCELLANEOUS MOTORS

A method of controlling a shape memory alloy actuator utilizing the change in resistance exhibited by the actuator over an actuation cycle, or a derivative thereof, to identify at least one event, such as, for example, a peak, valley, change in slope without reaching a valley, or a jump in resistance within the signal plot that corresponds to the start of actuation, end of actuation, an overload case, and the introduction of a resistive element respectively, and generating a response based upon the event.