An electrically controlled switching device includes a support, a first contact coupled to the support, a second contact coupled to the support, an SMA element operably connected with the second contact, a sensor positioned on or adjacent to the SMA element, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The SMA element is configured to transform between a first shape and a different second shape responsive to an electrical pulse heating the SMA element to a transformation temperature. The sensor is configured to detect a detected temperature of the SMA element. The controller is configured to control the electrical pulse heating the SMA element. The controller receives signals from the sensor indicative of the detected temperature of the SMA element.

A resistively heated shape memory polymer device is operated using resistive heating to heat the shape memory polymer device. The resistively heated shape memory polymer device is made by providing a wire that includes a resistive medium. The wire is coated with a first shape memory polymer. The wire is exposed and electrical leads are attached to the wire. In one embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a clot destruction device. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a microvalve. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a micropump. In yet another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a thermostat or relay switch.

A resistively heated shape memory polymer device is operated using resistive heating to heat the shape memory polymer device. The resistively heated shape memory polymer device is made by providing a wire that includes a resistive medium. The wire is coated with a first shape memory polymer. The wire is exposed and electrical leads are attached to the wire. In one embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a clot destruction device. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a microvalve. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a micropump. In yet another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a thermostat or relay switch.

The present invention discloses a lithium-ion battery protector, comprising a broken-circuit protection switch arranged in a charging loop of a lithium-ion battery pack, wherein the broken-circuit protection switch is adapted to carry out the switching-on or switching-off of the charging loop of the lithium-ion battery pack via the shape change of a shape memory alloy therein at different temperatures. The lithium-ion battery protector uses the memorability, interference resistance, high voltage resistance and passive over-current capacity of the shape memory alloy.

A resettable sensor assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and defining a cavity therein. The assembly includes a divider disposed within the cavity and in contact with the housing, at least one electrical contact disposed within the cavity and extending through the divider, and a pin reversibly translatable within the cavity along the axis. The assembly includes at least one actuator element disposed within the cavity and abutting the housing. The element is configured for translating the pin along the axis between a first position wherein the pin contacts the electrical contact and a second position wherein the pin is spaced apart from the electrical contact. The actuator element is formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between an austenite crystallographic phase and a martensite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal activation signal to thereby translate the pin between the first and second positions.

Aspects described herein generally relate to an actuated locking device. The actuated locking device includes a locking mechanism moveable between a first position and a second position, an actuator connected to the locking mechanism that actuates the locking mechanism for moving between the first position and the second position, and a hardstop switch that limits movement of the locking mechanism to at least one of the first position or the second position, in contact with the hardstop switch. The hardstop switch comprises a body including an electrically conductive surface defining a switch that completes an electrical circuit when the locking mechanism contacts the body of the hardstop switch.

Aspects described herein generally relate to an actuated locking device. The actuated locking device includes a locking mechanism moveable between a first position and a second position, an actuator connected to the locking mechanism that actuates the locking mechanism for moving between the first position and the second position, and a hardstop switch that limits movement of the locking mechanism to at least one of the first position or the second position, in contact with the hardstop switch. The hardstop switch comprises a body including an electrically conductive surface defining a switch that completes an electrical circuit when the locking mechanism contacts the body of the hardstop switch.

An actuator device which includes a fixed support structure, an actuation member movable, a biasing member tending to maintain the actuation member in a rest position, a shape-memory wire connected to the structure and to the actuation member, and an electric circuit for supplying an electric current to the shape-memory wire. The circuit includes a pair of terminals. One end of the shape-memory wire is connected to a first terminal. The circuit includes further an electric switch, including a first conducting member electrically connected with the second terminal, and a second conducting member carried by the actuation member and electrically connected with the other end of the shape-memory wire. The switch is closed when the actuation member is in the rest position, and remains closed until when the actuation member reaches a working position, and opens when the actuation member passes beyond the working position.

The present invention discloses a lithium-ion battery protector, comprising a broken-circuit protection switch arranged in a charging loop of a lithium-ion battery pack, wherein the broken-circuit protection switch is adapted to carry out the switching-on or switching-off of the charging loop of the lithium-ion battery pack via the shape change of a shape memory alloy therein at different temperatures. The lithium-ion battery protector uses the memorability, interference resistance, high voltage resistance and passive over-current capacity of the shape memory alloy.

A battery system includes a first electrical interface and safety switch connected to the first electrical interface and including a shape memory alloy element configured to deform from an unactuated configuration to an actuated configuration in response to reaching an activation temperature. A second electrical interface is connected to the safety switch, and the connection between the first electrical interface, the safety switch, and the second electrical interface enables electrical current to flow through a LIB cell. When the shape memory alloy element is the unactuated configuration, the safety switch directly engages the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface and enables electrical current to flow through the LIB cell. When in the actuated configuration, the safety switch disconnects from at least one of the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface and disables electrical current from flowing through the LIB cell.