US 12,110,879 B2
Artificial muscle actuators
Marcio Dias Lima, Richardson, TX (US); Yang Yang, Richardson, TX (US); Luis Plata, Richardson, TX (US); Marilu Guerrero, Richardson, TX (US); Franklin Le, Richardson, TX (US); and Randy Allen, Richardson, TX (US)
Assigned to LINTEC OF AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US)
Filed by LINTEC OF AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/154,391.
Application 17/154,391 is a division of application No. 16/467,830, granted, now 10,935,009, previously published as PCT/US2017/065127, filed on Dec. 7, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/462,544, filed on Feb. 23, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/431,717, filed on Dec. 8, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0140414 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. F03G 7/06 (2006.01); A61F 2/50 (2006.01); F16K 31/44 (2006.01); H01H 85/04 (2006.01); H02N 11/00 (2006.01); H10N 30/857 (2023.01); H01B 1/18 (2006.01)
CPC F03G 7/0612 (2021.08) [F03G 7/06146 (2021.08); F03G 7/067 (2021.08); F16K 31/44 (2013.01); H01H 85/04 (2013.01); H02N 11/006 (2013.01); H10N 30/857 (2023.02); A61F 2002/5066 (2013.01); F03G 7/06114 (2021.08); F03G 7/0614 (2021.08); H01B 1/18 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An actuator device comprising:
at least one or more artificial muscle fibers, the at least one or more artificial muscle fibers being twisted and coiled;
a thermal conductive material, the thermal conductive material being wrapped around the at least one or more artificial muscle fibers;
a thermocouple, the thermocouple being incorporated into the at least one or more artificial muscle fibers, and
an electrical system, wherein
twisting of the at least one or more artificial muscle fibers causes the coiling of the at least one or more artificial muscle fibers;
the thermocouple monitors a temperature of the at least one or more artificial muscle fibers; and
the electrical system actuates the at least one or more artificial muscle fibers by electrically heating the thermal conductive material and managing the temperature not to exceed a threshold temperature to prevent failure of the artificial muscle actuator device.