US5335498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contraction-extension mechanism type actuator
Assignee: Terumo Corp
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Filing: 1993-01-29
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Granted: 1994-08-09
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Expires: 2013-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A contraction-extension mechanism type actuator is provided which operates with a small and simple mechanism, offers no hindrance to other work units, adopts a construction capable of fine adjustment, and enables only the leading end of a module to be freely moved while producing virtually no motion of the module itself. These objects are accomplished by a contraction-extension mechanism type actuator which is a joint array formed of a shape-memorizing alloy and provided with a contraction-extension mechanism having shape-controlling heaters integrally attached to the component joints of the array and having the joint array itself serving as its own a drive source.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyoshi Komatsu
- 👤 Takehisa Mori
- 👤 Masao Takinami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:24
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J9/00; B25J9/10; B25J9/1085; F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/06; F03G7/061; F03G7/0614; F03G7/0615; F03G7/0616; F03G7/063; F03G7/0633; F03G7/064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
A contraction-extension mechanism type actuator providing its own drive source and comprising a joint array having a plurality of joints comprised of a shape-memorizing alloy, said joint array further having a shape-controlling heater thermally coupled to each of the joints of said joint array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
A contraction-extension mechanism type actuator providing its own drive source and comprising a joint array having a plurality of joints comprised of a shape-memorizing alloy, said joint array further having a shape-controlling heater thermally coupled to each of the joints of said joint array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contraction-extension mechanism type actuator of claim 1 wherein the plurality of joints are positioned in series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein said shape-controlling heaters are resistance heaters adapted so that the amounts of resistance of the heaters vary sequentially from a heater of a first joint to a heater of a last joint of said joint array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An actuator according to claim 3, wherein the resistance of the heaters is varied by varying lengths of the resistance heaters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein the joint array is comprised of shape-memorizing alloy layers deposited on an expandable substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An actuator according to claim 5, wherein said shape-memorizing alloy layers are disposed near joints on said substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB2106190A
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US4553393A
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JPS6153467A
Cited
US4790624A
Cited
WO1989010241A1
Cited
US5035530A
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US4864824A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-08 | 1998-02-07 | 1998-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-08 | 2002-02-07 | 2002-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-08 | 2006-02-07 | 2006-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |