A PRACTICAL SHAPE-MEMORY ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR

A practical one-pound, three-quarter-inch-stroke, linear actuator using shape-memory effect (SME) metal is described. The actuator is a helical spring made with nickel-titanium shape-memory metal alloy. It compresses or "shrinks" when heated with an electric current. Design of the actuator which includes protection against ancillary jams is described. Performance data showing actuation time versus applied current, ambient temperature and applied load is presented.