Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can include a key height activation engine and a keyboard. The keyboard can include a plurality of keys and one or more of the plurality of keys can include a key height mechanism. The key height mechanism includes a shape memory material and when the key height mechanism is activated by the key height activation engine, the shape memory material raises the one or more of the plurality of keys that includes the key height mechanism from a first height to a second height.

A linear detector element includes an outer sheath having a first end and a second end, one or more shape memory responsive elements within the outer sheath and between the first end and the second end and first and second conductive wires passing through at least a portion of the outer sheath and through the one or more shape memory responsive elements. The one more shape memory responsive elements include a shape memory actuator surrounding the first and second conductive wires and that has an expanded size and a contracted size and that is sized and arranged such that when the shape memory actuator is in the contracted state the first and second conductive wires contact one another and when the shape memory actuator is in the expanded state the first and second conductive wires do not contact one another.

The present invention relates to system for wirelessly transmitting and receiving self-powered power-free fixed temperature type fire detection, the system comprising: a self-powered fixed temperature type fire detector operating by the heat generated by fire occurrence and self-powered; a receiver for receiving and monitoring a fire occurrence signal through wireless communication according to the operation of the self-powered fixed temperature type fire detector; and an application part for allowing the signal received from the receiver to be notified in real time, wherein the fire detector is wirelessly installed, self-powered, and maximized in dust and water-resistant efficiencies.

According to the present invention, like this, a shape memory alloy spring, which is set to a given temperature, causes shape memory displacement if a fire occurs or ambient temperature is raised, and extends to press a push protrusion to allow the push protrusion to pressurize the contact portion of the dust and water-resistant member, so that a self power generation module operates to generate electricity momentarily and the generated electricity is supplied to a transmitting module as power. After that, the transmitting module transmits an RF signal to the receiver, and under the control of the receiver, a fire occurrence situation and a fire occurrence position are notified in real time by the application part.

A temperature-dependent switch comprising first and second stationary contacts and a temperature-dependent switching mechanism having a movable contact member. The switching mechanism, in its first switching position, presses the contact member against the first contact and thereby produces an electrically conductive connection between the two contacts via the contact member and, in its second switching position, keeps the contact member spaced apart from the first contact and thereby disconnects the electrically conductive connection between the two contacts and opens the switch. The switch further comprises a closing lock that, as soon as it is activated, prevents the switch once having opened from closing again by keeping the switching mechanism in its second switching position. The closing lock comprises a locking element having a shape-memory alloy and an opening through which the movable contact member protrudes. The locking element is configured to change its shape upon exceeding a locking element switching temperature from a first shape, in which the locking element does not activate the closing lock, into a second shape, in which the locking element activates the closing lock by exerting a force on a part of the switching mechanism, which force holds the switching mechanism in its second switching position.

A bi-metal actuator includes a shape memory alloy layer thermally actuated, a superelastic alloy layer fixed along to at least a part of the shape memory alloy layer, and at least one deformation sensor. The shape memory alloy layer has an initial shape at or below a transition start temperature T.sub.S and a final shape at or above a transition end temperature T.sub.E, has transitional shapes between the initial shape and the final shape which is formed according to the temperature between the transition start temperature T.sub.S and the transition end temperature T.sub.E of the shape memory alloy layer. The at least one deformation sensor is provided along at least a part of the superelastic alloy layer for measuring strain values of the superelastic alloy layer indicating the current form of the shape memory alloy layer.

A temperature switch includes a base having a receiving hole, and a conducting mechanism mounted on the base and having first and second conductive modules, a connection module connected electrically and releasably to the first and second conductive modules, and two deformable rods that are disposed in the receiving hole and that push the second conductive module to abut against the connection module. The second conductive module is moved away from the connection module when one of the deformable rods is deformed by temperature to switch the temperature switch from an energized position to a safety cut-off position.

Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical equipment, for example, equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. A temperature-sensitive, active material-containing actuator is pre-selected to operate at a pre-determined temperature indicative of impending equipment failure and placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-selected temperature the actuator signals this by closing an externally-powered circuit to enable or provide a suitable alarm signal. Additionally, the actuator may close a second circuit connected to a machine controller to alert the machine controller to take some pre-programmed action. Selected actuators are based on shape memory alloys (SMA) adapted to operate over a temperature range sufficient to encompass the expected range of pre-determined temperatures.

The present invention refers to a low voltage circuit breaker with a control device for re-closing said low voltage circuit breaker. The control device is provided with an actuating element, comprising a shape memory material and operatively associated with maneuvering means for the circuit breaker. When this shape memory material performs a state transition, the actuating element causes the movement of said maneuvering means from a first operative position, associated with an open configuration of the circuit breaker, to a second operative position, associated with a closed configuration of the circuit breaker.

A shape memory circuit breaker includes a shape memory substrate having first and second opposed substrate ends. The shape memory substrate is configured to transition from a strained conductive configuration to a fractured non-conductive configuration. An isolation housing is coupled with the shape memory substrate. The isolation housing includes first and second anchors coupled near the first and second substrate ends. A brace extends between the first and second anchors, and the brace statically positions the first and second anchors and the respective first and second substrate ends. The shape memory substrate is configured to transition from the strained conductive configuration to the fractured non-conductive configuration at or above a specified temperature range corresponding to a specified overload current range or voltage range, and the first substrate end fractures from the second substrate end at or above the specified temperature range resulting in an open circuit.

A shape memory actuator including: a monolithic shape memory alloy; a shape memory effect (SME) section of the alloy, configured for actuation; a pseudo-elastic (PE) section of the alloy, configured as a sensor for enabling position sensing; and a control system configured to control the actuator by controlling a current through at least the SME section based on the sensor results of the PE section. A method of controlling a shape memory actuator, the method including: applying a predetermined current through the actuator; measuring a first resistance of the SME section; measuring a second resistance of the PE section; calculating an estimated position of the actuator based on the first and second resistances; and adapting the current applied to the actuator based on the estimated position. A method of manufacturing a shape memory actuator, the method including: laser processing; thermomechanically treating; and training the shape memory alloy.