Patent ID: 8643313
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: H05H

Abstract:
1. An actuator assembly for use within the vacuum field of a cyclotron, comprising: (a) an interactor which is moveable between a first position and a second position, said interactor comprising (i) a probe for intercepting, deflecting or interacting with the cyclotron particle beam, or (ii) an effector for interacting with one or more mechanisms within the cyclotron vacuum field; (b) at least one support structure for supporting said interactor in said first and second positions; (c) a shape memory alloy (SMA) element connected to said interactor or said support structure and being adapted to exert a force on said interactor or said support structure so as to urge said interactor from said first position to said second position; (d) an electromagnetic activator operatively associated with said SMA element for causing said SMA element to exert said force when said electromagnetic activator is selectably activated; and (e) a return mechanism operatively connected to at least one of said interactor, said support structure and said SMA element so as to urge said interactor from said second position to said first position when said electromagnetic activator is deactivated.