Patent ID: 7132781
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: F16K,H02N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a support structure; an actuator operably associated with the support structure for proportionally driving the support structure in response to an electrical activation of the actuator; and means, interacting with the support structure, for compensating for different coefficients of thermal expansion of materials used in the support structure and the actuator in response to variations in temperature over a predetermined operating temperature range, wherein the temperature compensating means includes bimaterial layers forming at least a portion of the support structure and spaced from the actuator, a first material layer made from a material having a different coefficient of thermal expansion relative to a second material layer such that the bimaterial layers exert a force with respect to the support structure to deflect the support structure in an opposite direction from any deflection caused by a change in ambient temperature.