A latch assembly 1 for an access door 2 of a storage compartment 3 in a vehicle 4, comprises a locking bar 5 configured to be movable into an engaged configuration which enables the access door 2 to be placed and held into a closed position and into a disengaged configuration which permits the access door 2 to be placed into an opened position; and an automatic locking mechanism 8 including a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator 9 configured to be coupled to the access door 2, the automatic locking mechanism 8 further including a locking feature 10 operably coupled to at least a portion of the locking bar 5, 5′, and configured to engage and disengage the SMA actuator which is electrically energized to move into a locked position to prohibit the locking feature 10 from moving.

Further, a latch assembly 1 for an access door 2 of a storage compartment 3 in a vehicle 4 comprises at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator 9 configured to move the locking bar 5, 5′; 26, 27 into the disengaged configuration with the storage compartment 3.

Embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for assembling and manufacturing shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assemblies, which may also advantageously simplify the process of, speed-up the process of and/or reduce the cost of manufacturing SMA actuator assemblies.

A shape memory alloy actuator assembly (2) is disclosed. The actuator assembly comprises a support (21), a first stage (22) moveable in at least two different non-parallel directions in a first plane relative to the support, a first set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (27.sub.1) configured to move the first stage in the first plane, a second stage (23) moveable in at least two different non-parallel in a second plane parallel to or coplanar with the first plane relative to the first stage, and a second set of at least two shape memory alloy wires (27.sub.2) configured to move the second stage in the second plane. The first stage is coupled to the support via the first set of shape memory alloy wires and the second stage is coupled to the first stage via the second set of shape memory alloy wires such that movement of the second stage in the second plane with respect to the support is a combination of movement of the first stage relative to support and the second stage relative to the first stage.

An energy-recovery device comprises an engine, an immersion chamber, a drive, and a power module. The engine comprises a core comprising a core element that comprises working material, the core element comprising a fixed first end and a second end that is connected to the drive. The immersion chamber houses the engine and is configured to be sequentially filled with fluid to expand and contract the core element. The power module applies a controlled stress to the core element during at least one of a heating phase and a cooling phase of a power cycle carried out by the engine.

A device disclosed herein includes an upper shape memory alloy (SMA) wire, a lower SMA wire, a flexure having an opening, and a spring configured within the flexure opening, wherein the lower SMA wire, and the flexure are attached at one end to an anchor and at another end to a pin.

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 for adjusting a movable element in a beam path of an optical arrangement, includes the movable element, a carrier, and at least one SMA element, said SMA element being connected to the movable element and being designed so as to be supported on the carrier such that when the extension of the SMA element alters, a directed force effect is produced between said movable element and carrier.

The invention provides an energy recovery method and system comprising a first Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) core and adapted to convert movement of the core into energy in response to a change in temperature, and a fluid provides a temperature change to activate the first core, to generate a power stroke; and a back load is applied to the SMA core with a force higher than a maximum relaxation force of the SMA core. The advantage of the invention is to be able to allow a multistage variable loading regime on an SMA engine to increase the system efficiency. The invention provides a method of transferring large reciprocating forces into a steady rotary motion.

A hybrid actuation device includes an artificial muscle, a first plate coupled to a second plate, and a shape memory alloy wire. The artificial muscle includes a housing, a first electrode and a second electrode, and a dielectric fluid. The housing includes a first film layer, a second film layer, an electrode region, and an expandable fluid region. The first electrode and the second electrode are each disposed in the electrode region of the housing. The dielectric fluid is disposed within the housing. The first plate and the second plate are positioned within the housing, the first plate positioned between the first film layer and the first electrode, and the second plate positioned between the second film layer and the second electrode. The shape memory alloy wire extends from the first plate to the second plate and through the dielectric fluid.

A driving apparatus includes a bearing member and a driving structure, where a lens is fixed to the bearing member, and the driving structure includes a guide member, a fixing member, and at least two groups of driving assemblies. At least one group of driving assemblies are arranged between the fixing member and the guide member, at least one group of driving assemblies are arranged between the guide member and the bearing member, to drive the guide member to move in a first direction and the bearing member to move in a second direction, and an included angle is formed between the first direction and the second direction to drive the lens to move arbitrarily in a plane where the bearing member is located.