A hinge-type actuator device in accordance with the present disclosure may include a first and second paddle, a first and second artificial muscle actuator segment, and a plurality of contacts, where the first and second artificial muscle actuator segments are actuated via the contacts, actuation of the first artificial muscle actuator segment causes the first and second paddle to open the hinge-type actuator, and actuation of the second artificial muscle actuator segment causes the first and second paddle to close the hinge-type actuator.

A haptic device that includes SMA components that drive the actuating mechanisms of the haptic device, such as haptic arms. When a current is passed through the SMA components, due to the multiple local transformation temperatures, different sections of the SMA components have different reactions to the current in order to drive the actuating mechanisms.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly (1) comprising: a movable part (100); a support structure (3); one or more SMA wires arranged, on contraction, to tilt the movable part relative to the support structure about two orthogonal axes that are perpendicular to a primary axis (O) of the support structure; and axial translation constrainers (16) configured to limit axial translation of the movable part relative to the support structure along the primary axis of the support structure, wherein the axial translation constrainers are arranged to prevent all points of the movable part from simultaneously reaching their most extreme position along the primary axis of the support structure allowed by the range of possible tilt of the movable part relative to the support structure.

An actuator device that includes a first fiber, a conducting material, and a coating. The coating coats the first fiber or the conducting material. The coating may also provide moisture protection, UV protection, thermal insulation and thermal conductivity.

A self-limiting shaped memory alloy device, including a shape memory alloy member, with first and second ends, a first anchor member connected to the first end, an energy contact, a second anchor member connected to the energy contact, an energy source connected in energetic communication to the energy contact, a moveable member connected to the second end, and a biasing member operationally connected to the moveable member for urging the moveable member towards and into physical contact with the second anchor member. The moveable member is in physical contact with the second anchor member and the second end is in energetic communication with the energy contact. Actuation of the energy source energizes the energy contact. Energization of the shape memory alloy member initiates a phase change that urges the moveable member away from the second anchor member. Movement of the moveable member away from the second anchor member disengages the second end from the energy contact.

A self-limiting shaped memory alloy device, including a shape memory alloy member, with first and second ends, a first anchor member connected to the first end, an energy contact, a second anchor member connected to the energy contact, an energy source connected in energetic communication to the energy contact, a moveable member connected to the second end, and a biasing member operationally connected to the moveable member for urging the moveable member towards and into physical contact with the second anchor member. The moveable member is in physical contact with the second anchor member and the second end is in energetic communication with the energy contact. Actuation of the energy source energizes the energy contact. Energization of the shape memory alloy member initiates a phase change that urges the moveable member away from the second anchor member. Movement of the moveable member away from the second anchor member disengages the second end from the energy contact.

A camera lens element is suspended on a support structure by balls that allow movement of the camera lens elementorthogonal to the optical axis and plural flexures connected between the support structure and the camera lens element to bias them against the balls while permitting said movement of the camera lens elementorthogonal to the optical axis. Lateral movement is driven by a lateral actuation arrangement comprising plural SMA actuator wires. The flexures provide a lateral biasing force that biases the camera lens element towards a central position. An electrical connection is made through the flexures from the support structure to the camera lens element. The flexures may be connected to laminated structures.

An environmental aspect control assembly is configured to control one more environmental aspects. The environmental aspect control assembly may include at least one aspect-controlling portion formed of one or more environmental aspect-controlling materials, and at least one shape-changing actuator operatively connected to the aspect-controlling structure(s). The shape-changing actuator(s) is configured to have a first actuator shape at a first temperature and a second actuator shape at a second temperature that differs from the first temperature. The first actuator shape causes the aspect-controlling structure(s) to form a first structural shape. The second actuator shape causes the aspect-controlling structure(s) to form a second structural shape that differs from the first structural shape.

Disclosed is detecting the position of an actuator element of an actuator arrangement, having at least one actuator element movable in two opposing directions by two adjustment elements. The adjustment elements electrically connected via only one two-wire connection to a control unit comprise electrically controllable shape memory alloy wires. A resistance measurement circuit formed in the control unit periodically records the resistance values of the two adjustment elements. At an energization time of a currently actuated adjustment element, the resistance value of the adjustment element and, in a subsequent pause in energization, the resistance value of another adjustment element is determined and stored. The differential value of the two resistance values is compared with pairs of values which are stored in a table and describe a correlation between the resistance differential value and a position of the adjustment element, to determine the position of the actuator element.

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.