Patent ID: 8436571

Claim:
Actuator system for a device, comprising: a device including a moveable element configured to change position in response to linear translation of a fixed point on the moveable element relative to a fixed point on the device; a linear actuator comprising a wire cable fabricated from an active material and including a first end mechanically coupled to the fixed point on the device and a second end mechanically coupled to the fixed point on the moveable element, the active material inducing strain in the linear actuator in response to an activation signal, and the linear actuator configured to linearly translate the fixed point on the moveable element relative to the fixed point on the device in response to the induced strain; a position feedback sensor configured to generate a signal indicating a present position of the moveable element and signally connected to an activation controller; and the activation controller electrically connected to the linear actuator and configured to generate the activation signal to move the moveable element to a preferred position.