US 11,867,160 B2
Shape memory alloy actuators and methods thereof
Mark A. Miller, Hutchinson, MN (US); Nathaniel K. Behning, Hutchinson, MN (US); Dean E. Myers, Stewart, MN (US); and Michael W. Davis, Rockford, MN (US)
Assigned to Hutchinson Technology Incorporated, Hutchinson, MN (US)
Filed by Hutchinson Technology Incorporated, Hutchinson, MN (US)
Filed on Dec. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/549,348.
Application 16/859,929 is a division of application No. 15/971,995, filed on May 4, 2018, granted, now 10,920,755, issued on Feb. 16, 2021.
Application 17/549,348 is a continuation of application No. 16/859,929, filed on Apr. 27, 2020, granted, now 11,199,183.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/650,991, filed on Mar. 30, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/502,568, filed on May 5, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0106942 A1, Apr. 7, 2022
Int. Cl. F03G 7/06 (2006.01); G03B 3/10 (2021.01); G02B 27/64 (2006.01); G02B 7/08 (2021.01); G02B 3/12 (2006.01); G02B 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC F03G 7/0614 (2021.08) [F03G 7/06 (2013.01); F03G 7/065 (2013.01); G02B 3/12 (2013.01); G02B 7/08 (2013.01); G02B 27/646 (2013.01); G03B 3/10 (2013.01); G02B 3/00 (2013.01); G03B 2205/0007 (2013.01); G03B 2205/0046 (2013.01); G03B 2205/0076 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a bimorph actuator base;
at least two bimorph actuators each connected to the bimorph actuator base, the at least two bimorph actuators comprising at least a first bimorph actuator disposed at the bimorph actuator base oriented in a first direction and a second bimorph actuator disposed at the bimorph actuator base oriented in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the at least two bimorph actuators comprising:
a shape memory alloy material; and
a beam electrically coupled to the shape memory alloy material, wherein each of the at least two bimorph actuators are attached to the bimorph actuator base at a first end of the beam, a second end of the beam opposite the first end is configured to be unfixed; and
a moving carriage coupled to each of the at least two bimorph actuators.