Exemplary embodiments may terminate application of an electric pulse to a shape memory alloy (SMA) element that causes actuation of a medicament pump based on resistance values unlike conventional approaches that rely on a mechanical mechanisms to trigger termination of the application of the electric pulse. The magnitude of the resistance values, the rate of change (RoC) of the resistance values, the temperature of the SMA element, the time that has passed since initial application of the electric pulse to the SMA element, or combinations thereof may be used to trigger the termination of the application of the electric pulse to the SMA element in exemplary embodiments. The monitoring of the resistance of an unactuated SMA element may be used to determine when to initiate and when to terminate application of an electrical pulse to the other SMA element.

The invention comprises a rotary engine method and apparatus configured with a self-actuating/self-damping vane system. In the rotary engine apparatus, a set of vanes extend from a rotor to a housing, whereby the rotary engine is divided into expansion chambers. Each of the vanes enclose a stressed band wound at least partially around two or more rollers. Potential energy of the stressed band, which is optionally a smart metal, provides a radially outward force on the vane toward the housing, aiding in seal formation of the vane to the housing.

The invention provides an actuator having a wedge shaped member arranged to move in substantially linear reciprocating motion. A drive member is operatively coupled to the wedge shaped member. The wedge shaped member is arranged to deflect the drive member as the wedge shaped member moves. A shape memory material has a first end electrically connected to a first electrical connection terminal and fixed with respect to the first electrical connection terminal, and a second end electrically connected to the wedge shaped member and fixed with respect to the wedge shaped member. The wedge shaped member is electrically connected to a second electrical connection terminal. The actuator may be used in a pump having a pumping chamber with a membrane the displacement of which changes the pumping chamber volume. The drive member of the actuator is operatively coupled to the pumping chamber membrane. The pump may be used in an infusion system for the infusion of a liquid therapeutic product.

A pump (10) comprising a casing (12) that encloses a pumping group (14). On the casing (12) at least one inlet conduit (F) and at least one outlet conduit are obtained. The pumping group (14) comprises a pair of mutually coupled gears defining a pump chamber. A first support shaft (16) is operatively connected to an actuator assembly (18) so that the first gear can operate as a driving gear to set the second gear in rotation. The pump (10) comprises at least one element (20) for compensating the increase in volume of the fluid (F) and/or the increase in the pressures inside such a pump (10). The element (20) for compensating the pressure/volume is at least partially manufactured from a shape memory metal alloy having superelastic properties.

Energy recovery device and method for recovering energy comprising an engine comprising a plurality of elongated Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) elements or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements configured as a core and connected to a drive mechanism; an immersion chamber adapted for housing the engine and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow a heating cycle and a cooling cycle of the SMA elements or NTE elements to expand and contract the SMA elements or NTE elements; and a compression device configured to apply a compressive mechanical force to at least one of the SMA elements or at least one of the NTE elements. The applied compressive mechanical force compresses the at least one SMA element or the at least one NTE element further during the cooling cycle.

A thermally and electrically controllable miniaturised actuator comprises a bi-layer structure formed of a shape-memory alloy layer coupled with an electro-active polymer layer. A heating means is provided for thermal stimulation of the shape-memory alloy layer, this layer transitioning from an initial shape at a first temperature to a second, pre-determined, shape at a second temperature. Application of an electric field to the electro-active polymer layer stimulates this layer to deform in response, with a stress which may exceed that of the alloy layer, when the latter layer is in a low-temperature phase. Actuation methods are further provided, which include stimulating the polymer layer to deform in an opposite direction to the deformation of the alloy layer, thus allowing the actuator to be reset in between strokes. Methods of producing an actuator are also provided.

The invention provides an energy recovery device comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMAs) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements arranged as a plurality of wires positioned substantially parallel with each other to define a core wherein the wires are selected to have different dimensions such that the plurality of wires are activated at substantially the same time in response to a temperature change.

A device for metering fluids comprising a fluid chamber with one inlet or outlet port, at least one sidewall and a movable separator that is in contact with and separates the fluid in the chamber from the other components of the device, a porous actuator housing and wicking material, a flexible polymer actuator material in contact with the porous actuator housing and the moveable separator, an actuator hydrating solution reservoir with at least one sidewall, an inlet port, and in fluid contact with porous actuator housing, a fluid gate located at some point between actuator hydrating solution reservoir and the polymer actuator, effectively keeping actuator dry, and an external shell to hold all components so that the polymer actuator can only move in a direction and apply pressure to the separator in contact with the fluid in the fluid chamber, thereby dispensing fluid from fluid chamber.

A cellular structure may include a plurality of cells. Each cell of the plurality of cells may have a twelve-cornered cross section. The twelve-cornered cross-section may include eight sides each having a first cross-sectional length, and four sides each having a second cross-sectional length that differs from the first cross-sectional length.

The present document describes a pump (10) comprising a casing (12) that encloses a pumping group (14). On the casing (12) at least one inlet conduit for inletting a fluid (F) and at least one outlet conduit for outletting the fluid (F) are obtained. The pumping group (14) comprises a pair of mutually coupled gears, each mounted on a respective support shaft. The relative movement of a first gear with respect to the second gear defines a pumping chamber having variable volume inside the pumping group (14), so as to suck the fluid (F) from the suction conduit to expel it through the delivery conduit. A first support shaft (16) is operatively connected to an actuator assembly (18) so that the first gear can operate as a driving gear to set the second gear in rotation. The pump (10) comprises at least one element (20) for compensating the increase in volume of the fluid (F) and/or the increase in the pressures inside such a pump (10). The element (20) for compensating the pressure/volume is at least partially manufactured from a shape memory metal alloy having superelastic properties.