A compression apparatus includes a pair of compression engines incorporating shape memory alloy (SMA) wires configured to provide compression to the limb or torso of a person. The compression engines are in an overlapping arrangement to provide a strain capability of the compression apparatus that is greater than the additive strain capability of the pair of compression engines.

The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly (100) controlled by shape memory alloy wires (130, 130), to a system comprising a plurality of such subassemblies and to a control method for such system, wherein the shape memory alloy wires (130, 130) are in the so-called antagonistic configuration.

Various examples relate to electrically actuated valves. Various examples relate to actuators to be used for valves, e.g., shapememory alloy actuators or solenoid actuators (151) or piezoelectric actuators. Various examples relate to a modular concept in which a valve can be formed by attaching an actuator component (601) to a housing. Various examples relate to a further modular concept in which multiple valve blocks, each valve block including one or more valves, can be fluidly coupled with each other.

The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly (100) controlled by shape memory alloy wires (130, 130), to a system comprising a plurality of such subassemblies and to a control method for such system, wherein the shape memory alloy wires (130, 130) are in the so-called antagonistic configuration.

A power supply circuit for supplying a load, which may be a SMA component or a piezoelectric component, may use short high-voltage pulses to achieve fast heating of the load and, in order to comply with functional requirements, the SMA or piezoelectric component should not be supplied by connecting it directly to an electric line at a relatively high voltage. It is also disclosed an actuator comprising a power supply circuit of this disclosure and at least one load, comprising at least one smart materials chosen between a piezoelectric device and a a shape memory alloy (SMA) component, and a method of supplying a load comprising the steps of: connecting the AC to DC voltage converter of the power supply circuit to the AC mains by closing the input switch for charging a tank capacitor of the converter and, at the same time, opening the output switch for disconnecting the load from the tank capacitor: disconnecting the AC to DC voltage converter of the power supply circuit from the AC mains by opening the input switch and, at the same time, closing the output switch to supply the load by discharging the tank capacitor.

A distance adjustment apparatus and a control method of the distance adjustment apparatus are provided. The distance adjustment apparatus includes a connection component, and the connection component includes a first component and a second component. The first component is connected to the second component, and a memory alloy component is disposed in a connection region between the first component and the second component. The memory alloy component is controlled by a current to drive the first component and the second component to move closer to and/or away from each other.

A Bidirectional, Linear and Binary, Segmented Antagonistic Servomechanism-based Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuator comprising a main stroke transmitting lever (11 or 18) and a plurality of part-modules (15A or 15B) disposed in a closely spaced arrangement and adapted to undergo a reciprocal translation in a first direction. wherein, the part-modules comprising a plurality of segments having SMA elements (12). The invention provides two configurations arranged in straight and cross configurations of the SMA elements in the part-modules. Further above configuration are arranged in a tight close space however, the cross configuration provides additional 40% compactness. The configurations comprise a S-type long tail or flipped F-type long tail main stroke transmitting lever and plurality of straight or cross configurations part modules, respectively. The novel embodiment can be utilized for micro-positioning of 3D printer filament extruder head, linear and angular displacement applications such as robotic, prosthesis, bi-stable position control, latching-unlatching systems, and other wide engineering applications.

A valve includes a housing with a bottom plate, first and second fluid ports, and an actuator component arranged such that the bottom plate engages the actuator component. The actuator component includes a carrier, a plunger arranged on the carrier and comprising a sealing surface, a shape memory alloy actuator arranged co-linearly with the plunger between the carrier and the plunger to exert an actuation force onto the plunger, and a spring co-linearly arranged with the plunger between the carrier and the plunger to exert a bias force onto the plunger. The sealing surface of the plunger can sealingly engage the first fluid port. The valve further includes a circuit board comprising circuitry to actuate the shape memory alloy actuator. The housing is at least partly arranged between the circuit board and carrier and comprises through holes to receive electrical pins of the actuator component extending towards the circuit board.

A linear drive comprises: a lever having a through bore; a rod which extends through the bore; a bearing supporting the rod; a shape memory alloy connected to the lever and a first fixed bearing, the shape memory alloy exerting a tensile force on the lever when electrical power is applied; and a restoring element connected to the lever and a second fixed bearing, the restoring element exerting a restoring force on the lever and counter to the tensile force. In a first state, the lever is tilted making a non-positive connection between the lever and the rod. In a second state the lever is displaced in parallel to and in the direction of the tensile force. In a third state the lever is tilted back releasing the non-positive connection. In a fourth state, the lever is displaced in parallel to and in the direction of the restoring force.

An actuator can include one or more contracting members and a clutch. When an activation input is provided to the one or more contracting members, the one or more contracting members contract, which causes the actuator to morph into an activated configuration. A height of the actuator increases in the activated configuration. The clutch can be configured to maintain the actuator in the activated configuration when the activation input to the one or more contracting members is discontinued. One or more processors can be operatively connected to selectively and/or independently activate the one or more contracting members and the clutch.