Patent ID: 8446065
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: F03G,F15B

Abstract:
1. A tubular active material actuator presenting a stroke length and force, said actuator comprising: a flexible tube defining an interior chamber and longitudinal axis, and operable to shift between first and second configurations having first and second longitudinal lengths, so as to define a stroke; an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change in fundamental property when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal so as to be activated or deactivated respectively, externally wrapped around and drivenly coupled to the tube; and a fluidic body disposed within the chamber, wherein the change produces a radial actuation force, the force causes the tube to shift between configurations, and the body is operable to transfer the force, wherein the fluidic body includes a second active material element operable to undergo a second reversible change in fundamental property when exposed to or occluded from a second activation signal, and the second change is operable to modify the stroke.