Bistable shape memory alloy inertial actuator capable of preventing accidental actuation caused by environmental temperature variations, its method of operation and its use in devices.

An actuator, a release device, and a method of actuating a release device are provided. The actuator comprises a housing defining a first path; an actuating element disposed within the first path, the actuating element being made from a shape memory alloy having a transition temperature, the actuating element being configured to couple with a power source, at least portion of the actuating element being further configured to not change shape when the power source applies a first current for a predetermined amount of time and moves at least a portion of the actuating element from the first position to a second position when the power source applies a second current; and a heat transfer material disposed in the first path between the actuating element and the housing.

An information handling system display monitor transitions between flat and curved configurations by actuation of a shaped memory alloy wire within the display monitor housing. For example, a nickel titanium wire is heated by application of current across the wire to transition its crystalline form, thereby shortening the wire to adjust the configuration of a foldable display film, such as an OLED display film. Separate shaped memory alloy wires may be used to achieve foldable display film movement in each direction, or actuation of a shaped memory alloy wire in one direction may generate bias in a spring in the opposite direction that is released when a change in foldable display film configuration is desired.

A seating assembly comprises a calf rest coupled to a seat base and having a body that comprises a first trough that extends from a first exterior peak to an interior peak and a second trough that extends from a second exterior peak to the interior peak. The seating assembly also comprises a wire that extends across the first trough from the first exterior peak to the interior peak, the wire being operable between an at rest condition and a contracted condition, wherein movement of the wire from the at rest condition to the contracted condition moves a portion of the wire between the first exterior peak and the interior peak away from a bottom of the first trough. The seating assembly further comprises a controller that prompts electrical current to be supplied to the wire to move the wire from the at rest condition to the contracted condition.

An actuator assembly comprises: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

A seating assembly comprises a calf rest coupled to a seat base and having a body that comprises a first trough that extends from a first exterior peak to an interior peak and a second trough that extends from a second exterior peak to the interior peak. The seating assembly also comprises a wire that extends across the first trough from the first exterior peak to the interior peak, the wire being operable between an at rest condition and a contracted condition, wherein movement of the wire from the at rest condition to the contracted condition moves a portion of the wire between the first exterior peak and the interior peak away from a bottom of the first trough. The seating assembly further comprises a controller that prompts electrical current to be supplied to the wire to move the wire from the at rest condition to the contracted condition.

An activation assembly for a sealed container includes a striker, a detent, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire connected to the detent. The SMA wire may move the detent from a first position to a second position relative to the striker based on activation of the SMA wire where, in the first position, the detent is engaged with the striker, and, in the second position, the detent is disengaged from the striker and the striker is movable from a stowed position to a deployed position.

An actuation apparatus comprising: a support structure; a movable element; a helical bearing arrangement supporting the movable element on the support structure and arranged to guide helical movement of the movable element with respect to the support structure along a helical path around a helical axis; an actuating mechanism configured to drive rotation of the movable element around the helical axis which the helical bearing arrangement converts into said helical movement; and a loading arrangement configured to exert a biasing force on the movable element in a direction that is at least substantially normal to the helical path over an operating range of the helical movement.

Variable-porosity panel systems and associated methods. A variable-porosity panel system includes a panel assembly with an exterior layer defining a plurality of exterior layer pores and a sliding layer adjacent to the exterior layer and defining a plurality of sliding layer pores. The variable-porosity panel system additionally includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator configured to translate the sliding layer relative to the exterior layer to modulate a porosity of the panel assembly. The SMA actuator includes an SMA element configured to exert an actuation force on the sliding layer and at least partially received within an SMA element receiver of the sliding layer. The SMA element extends out of the sliding layer only at a sliding layer first end. A method of operating the variable-porosity panel system includes assembling the variable-porosity panel system and/or transitioning the panel assembly of the variable-porosity panel system among the plurality of panel configurations.

The present invention relates in a first aspect to an actuator subassembly comprising a shape memory alloy wire (15), a biasing spring (16) and magnetic responsive elements (17, 17′) to couple the movement of a first movable element (13) and a second movable element (14) provided with a terminal (18), and in a second aspect to a fluidic valve comprising a plunger whose terminal part controls its opening and closing and where the plunger movement is controlled by the action of a shape memory alloy wire, a biasing element and magnetic responsive elements.