Patent ID: 7422403
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: B23P,B64G,F16B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A device for holding a first and a second component together, the device comprising: a bolt having a first end configured to secure to a first component, and a second end configured to secure to a second component, the bolt having a shank including a necked-down portion configured to concentrate axial stress; a head near the first end; a nut mounted about the second end, the second end extending through the nut for securing to the second component; an actuator fitted about the shank between the head and the nut, the actuator being formed of a shape memory alloy material that is configured to elongate axially against the head and nut in response to being heated through the material's crystalline phase change transformation temperature; wherein the bolt is configured to convert from a compressed configuration to an elongated configuration by heating the actuator and elongating the necked-down portion to plastically deform the bolt.