Thermal Brushes For Memory-Metal Actuators

Abstract

Thermoelectric elements with wire-brush contacts remove heat from or add heat to memory-metal actuators and thereby enable them to respond faster than previously possible. Memory-metal actuator formed to shape while hot, then to another shape while cold. When cold actuator heated so temperature rises above critical point, snaps from cold shape to hot shape. Upon cooling, actuator returns to cold shape, ready for another cycle. Clearly, faster actuator is heated and cooled, the faster it operates.