公开(公告)号：US20030002133A1

公开(公告)日：2003-01-02

申请号：US09892616

申请日：2001-06-28

Applicant: SOUTH WEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Inventor： Heather Shannon Hanson ,  Joseph Nathan Mitchell

IPC: G02B026/00

CPC classification number: B81B3/0024 ,  B81B2201/031 ,  B81B2201/11 ,  B81B2203/055 ,  H01H2061/008

Abstract: A thermal actuator includes a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a second arm, parallel to the first arm, having a proximal end and a distal end, and a third arm arranged between and parallel to the first and second arms, the third arm having a proximal end and a distal end. The third arm has at least one portion at the distal end of the third arm having a width that is substantially larger than a width of the first arm and a width of the second arm. The distal ends of the first, second and third arms are coupled together to form a distal end of the thermal actuator, and the first, second and third arms preferably are made of a single material. When the proximal end of the third arm is coupled to ground and current is applied to the proximal end of the first arm, the distal end of the thermal actuator moves and applies force in a first direction, and when the proximal end of the third arm is coupled to ground and current is applied to the proximal end of the second arm, the distal end of the thermal actuator moves and applies force in a direction opposite to the first direction. A number of thermal actuators can be arranged in an array. The thermal actuator or array of thermal actuators can be coupled to an applicator.

Abstract translation: 热致动器包括具有近端和远端的第一臂，平行于第一臂的第二臂，具有近端和远端，以及布置在第一臂和第二臂之间并平行于第一臂的第三臂， 第三臂具有近端和远端。 第三臂具有在第三臂的远端处的至少一个部分，其宽度基本上大于第一臂的宽度和第二臂的宽度。 第一，第二和第三臂的远端联接在一起以形成热致动器的远端，并且第一，第二和第三臂优选地由单一材料制成。 当第三臂的近端联接到地面并且电流被施加到第一臂的近端时，热致动器的远端在第一方向上移动并施加力，并且当第三臂的近端 耦合到地面，并且电流施加到第二臂的近端，热致动器的远端移动并沿与第一方向相反的方向施加力。 许多热致动器可以排列成阵列。 热致动器或热致动器阵列可以耦合到施加器。