A deployable panel is provided comprising a first subpanel, a second subpanel, and a shape memory alloy hinge connecting the subpanels. The shape memory alloy hinge enables the subpanels to move between a position in which the first and second subpanels are folded over each other and an unfolded position in response to an energy source that changes the shape of the shape memory alloy hinge, wherein the unfolded position is trained into the shape memory alloy hinge to ensure precise kinematic mating between the subpanels. Shape memory alloy springs are connected to the first subpanel and respective tethers connect the shape memory alloy springs to the second subpanel. The shape memory alloy springs contract in response to a second energy source to pull the subpanels together via the tethers when the subpanels are in the unfolded position to produce a seamless, featureless surface of the deployable panel.

In a motor vehicle, a display device has a display area displaying an image projected by an optical device by way of a reflection area as a virtual image. The optical device has at least one reflector and an actuator which moves the reflector. The actuator includes a shape memory material, which is designed to be deformed by a temperature-dependent phase transition and thereby move the reflector. By the provision of a thermal shape memory actuator that functions without an electric current, the optical path can be changed, so that overheating of internal temperature-sensitive components of the display device can be prevented in a way that is particularly inexpensive and efficient in terms of installation space and it is also possible to dispense with electronic sensing, evaluation and activation entirely.

A transdermal drug delivery (TDD) system is provided accelerating the TDD process through the combination of (1) a micropump, (2) microneedles, and (3) nanoencapsulation. A 3D printed shape memory alloy (SMA) triggered micropump combined with polymeric nanoparticles loaded with a drug can be pumped through integrated microneedles. An SMA spring wire is used to actuate a loaded pumping spring to drive an elastic membrane into a chamber. The system's performance characterized an average membrane speed of 0.28 m/s. The efficacy of the system showed an almost 100% improvement for the total percentage of deposited polymeric nanoparticles over that of the untreated solution. The rapid response and demonstrated efficacy can be aimed for transdermal insulin injection.

A heat responsive control valve, comprising a valve body having a spool slidably positioned within an interior hollow cavity of the valve body, the valve body having one and preferably at least one fluid inlet and one, preferably at least one fluid outlet, the spool having at least one fluid inlet, a fluid cavity and at least one least one outlet preferably in a side wall thereof, and a heat responsive element which is used in controlling the relative position of the spool within the valve body. Methods of controlling fluid flow using the heat responsive valve are also disclosed.

A space flexible gripper driven by tiny comprises a flexible grasping part and a trigger part; the flexible grasping part comprises a plurality of articulated segments, each of which comprises two mutually articulated grasping plates; the trigger part comprises two movable plates to be close to each other or to be far away from each other; two grasping plates of the first segment are fixed to two movable plates respectively. The invention utilizes an electric signal to trigger the microelectric triggering springs to expand and contract, which indirectly drives two movable plates to be close to each other or to be far away from each other; at the same time, as two mutually articulated grasping plates of the first segment are respectively fixed to two symmetrical movable plates, the mutual approach or mutual distance of the grasping plates of the first segment can be quickly realized.

Certain examples disclose and describe apparatus and methods to provide fast response active clearance system with piezoelectric actuator in axial, axial/radial combined, and circumferential directions. In some examples, an apparatus includes an actuator to control clearance between a blade and at least one of a shroud or a hanger, the actuator including a multilayer stack of material, and wherein the actuator is outside a case. The apparatus further includes a rod coupled to the actuator and the at least one of the shroud or the hanger through an opening in the case, the rod to move the at least one of the shroud or the hanger in a radial direction based on axial movement of the multilayer stack of material.

A lockable telescopic actuator arranged to be in a locked state or in an unlocked state, the lockable telescopic actuator including: a body defining a cylindrical cavity; a piston mounted to slide in the cylindrical cavity; and a locking mechanism including a first locking segment arranged to move from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the locked position the first locking segment is engaged with the piston to prevent the piston from moving. In the unlocked position the first locking segment is disengaged from the piston to allow the piston to move. A first shape memory alloy, SMA, biasing element configured to be extended or compressed such that when the first SMA biasing element is compressed the first locking element is biased into the locked position and when the first SMA bias element is extended the first locking element is biased into the unlocked position.

The present disclosure provides a thermomechanical actuator and a cleaning system implementing the thermomechanical actuator. The thermomechanical actuator includes a solar heat collector (SHC) housing shape memory alloy springs connected between a piston movably disposed therein and one end of the SHC. A cable extending from the piston through an opposite end of the SHC is connected to a bias load that develops returning force on the springs. In presence of solar radiation, the springs contract and cause linear movement of the piston in a direction of contraction and, in absence of the solar radiation, the springs expand and cause linear movement of the piston in direction of expansion. Useful power and work is extracted in form of the cleaning system from such linear movement of the piston.

The present disclosure provides a thermomechanical actuator and a cleaning system implementing the thermomechanical actuator. The thermomechanical actuator includes a solar heat collector (SHC) housing shape memory alloy springs connected between a piston movably disposed therein and one end of the SHC. A cable extending from the piston through an opposite end of the SHC is connected to a bias load that develops returning force on the springs. In presence of solar radiation, the springs contract and cause linear movement of the piston in a direction of contraction and, in absence of the solar radiation, the springs expand and cause linear movement of the piston in direction of expansion. Useful power and work is extracted in form of the cleaning system from such linear movement of the piston.

A transmission includes an oil sump and at least one oil bunker arranged separated from the oil sump within the transmission. The transmission includes a valve having a channel body, at least one sump port, at least one bunker port, and a mechanical actuating element. The channel body has at least one oil duct. The at least one oil duct connects the at least one bunker port to the at least one sump port. The mechanical actuating element is configured for temperature-dependently deforming to transfer the valve out of a closed position into at least one open position. The at least one oil bunker is connected to the oil sump via the valve when the valve is in the at least one open state. The at least one oil bunker is not connected to the oil sump via the valve when the valve is in the closed state.