A shape memory alloy apparatus (1) comprising: a member (3) comprising a first end portion (5) and a second end portion (7); and a shape memory alloy component (9) connected to the member (3). The shape memory alloy component (9) being configured to, on contraction, change the separation between the first end portion (5) and the second end portion (7) of the member (3), the member (3) being configured to be in tension during contraction of the shape memory alloy component (9), wherein the said separation changes in a direction that is angled to the direction of contraction.

A rotor for an electric motor includes a rotor core defining a first face, a second face, and an opening extending from the first face to the second face. The rotor also includes an output shaft received by the opening of the rotor core and a valve disposed within a passageway of the output shaft. The valve controls a flowrate of the coolant and is actuated into a fully opened position at a maximum operating temperature of the rotor. The valve includes a stem having a first end portion and a second end portion, a plug disposed at the first end portion of the stem, a valve seat disposed opposite to the plug, and a shape memory alloy actuator that expands to urge the stem of the valve and the plug away from the valve seat and into the fully opened position at the maximum operating temperature.

A method for using a shape memory alloy (SMA) with a non-evaporable getter (NEG) employed in a vacuum device is disclosed. The method comprises coupling a NEG component to a SMA component to form an NEG/SMA assembly pair; heating the NEG/SMA assembly pair to activate the NEG component; and packaging the activated NEG component with the SMA component to form an NEG/SMA package having a gas tight seal. The method further comprises installing the NEG/SMA package in the vacuum device; and heating the installed NEG/SMA package such that the SMA component is actuated to expose the activated NEG component to a vacuum chamber in the vacuum device.

The present application relates to a stepwise discrete actuator (10) with two shape memory alloy wires (15, 15′) used in an antagonistic configuration to drive a slider (13) that moves a toothed element (12) through tooth-engaging fingers (131, 132) that are spaced at rest by a distance F that is shorter than the distance T between adjacent teeth by an amount sufficient for a stationary finger lifter (14) to lift that of the slider fingers (131, 132) that does not engage the movable toothed element (12) such that it clears the teeth of the latter.

In an embodiment, an article comprises a plurality of structural units, wherein each structural unit comprises a first portion; a second portion; wherein the second portion contacts the first portion; and a third portion; wherein the third portion is in communication with the first portion and the second portion and is more compressible than the first portion and the second portion; where the first portion has a first value of a property and where the second portion has a second value of the same property, such that the first value acts as a restraining or enhancing force on the second value; wherein the first portion comprises a first metal and wherein the second portion comprises a second metal that is different from the first metal.

A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly includes positioning a layer stack comprising an electrode positioned between an electrode insulator and a support polymer in a vacuum bag, removing air from the vacuum bag thereby vacuum coupling the electrode to the electrode insulator, and removing the layer stack from the vacuum bag, where upon removal of the layer stack from the vacuum bag, the electrode remains vacuum coupled to the electrode insulator and the electrode insulator is in direct contact with the electrode, thereby forming an electrode assembly.

A shape memory material element configuration including a shape memory material element, and a capillary line extending to the element and positioned to apply an activation fluid to the element.

A cooling system includes a coolant source to cool down components of a processing chamber and a return line for the coolant coupled between the processing chamber and the coolant source. The return line has a valve, which includes a flow compartment having a first inlet and an outlet that support a default flow rate of the coolant, the flow compartment also having a second inlet. The valve has a plunger with a tip to variably open and close the second inlet to vary a flow rate of the coolant from the default flow rate. The valve has a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring positioned on the plunger between a side of the valve and the tip, the SMA spring attached to the tip to variably withdraw the tip from the second inlet in response to a rise in temperature of the coolant above a threshold temperature value.

A sensor actuator is provided. The sensor actuator includes a movable body on which an image sensor having an imaging plane is disposed; a fixed body configured to accommodate the movable body; and a driver configured to provide a driving force to move the image sensor, wherein the driver includes a wire portion having a plurality of wires of which lengths change when power is applied to the plurality of wires, wherein each of the plurality of wires is configured to have a first end coupled to the fixed body and a second end coupled to the movable body, and wherein one of the first end and the second end of each of the plurality of wires is connected to the fixed body or the movable body through an elastic portion.

An airfoil arrangement for a gas turbine engine may include a clearance device using a shape memory alloy movable to provide clearance between an airfoil and one or more other components of the gas turbine engine. The clearance device may be formed as part of a fan blade. The arrangement may be configured to reduce overall weight and dimensions of the gas turbine engine.