Patent ID: 8341958

Claim:
A shape memory alloy actuated device, comprising: a movable member movable between a first position and a second position; at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) member connected to the movable member, wherein the at least one SMA member moves the movable member from the first position to the second position when the at least one SMA member is heated above a first temperature and contracts; wherein a force from a bias element biases the movable member from the second position toward the first position and, when the at least one SMA member is at or below a second temperature, stretches the SMA member and moves the movable member from the second position to the first position; and wherein, while the movable member is in the second position, a force from a source of force external to the device is coupled to the SMA member, the resulting force being applied to the at least one SMA member being higher than a force applied by the bias element to stretch the at least one SMA member and stress induce the at least one SMA member to change state from austenite to martensite when the temperature of the at least one SMA member is hotter than the martensite transition temperature of the at least one SMA member under the bias element force.