Patent ID: 6848771
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a thermal actuator, said thermal actuator comprising a base element, a thermo-mechanical element extending from the base element, having a moveable portion residing in a first position and reliably operating at temperatures below a maximum temperature T max , apparatus adapted to apply energy pulses to the thermo-mechanical element to cause a temperature increase therein and movement of the moveable portion to a second position, the method for operating comprising: (a) determining a first energy pulse having a first energy, E (b) determining a second energy pulse having a second energy, E (c) determining a first delay time t (d) applying the first energy pulse to the thermo-mechanical element; (e) waiting the first delay time t (f) applying the second energy pulse to the thermo-mechanical element so that the moveable portion moves to or remains at the second position and the maximum temperature is not exceeded.