Patent ID: 6732516
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: E05B,F03G,F16C,G05G

Abstract:
An actuator device comprising:a flexible cable (2), having one end (2b) connected to a controlled member; and a flexible sheath (3), within which the flexible cable (2) is mounted; in which at least one portion of the flexible cable (2) is made of a shape-memory material which is able to undergo a variation in shape following upon heating, so as to control the controlled member; characterized in that said sheath (3) is mounted with respect to a fixed supporting structure (103) so as to be free to displace longitudinally only in the direction of operation of the controlled member; and in that said sheath (3) is coupled to the controlled member so as to be able to transmit thereto a displacement in said direction of operation and to be, instead, decoupled from the controlled member with respect to a movement in the direction opposite to the direction of operation; in such a way that the said actuator can be used both by means of manual operation, using the sheath as a mechanical transmission element and exploiting the variation in shape of the shape-memory cable, which can be obtained by heating it.