公开(公告)号：US20240026866A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-25

申请号：US18265112

申请日：2021-12-06

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Robert Langhorne ,  Robin Eddington ,  James Howarth ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown

IPC: F03G7/06 ,  G02B27/64 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G03B5/00

CPC classification number: F03G7/06143 ,  G02B27/646 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G03B5/00 ,  G03B2205/0007 ,  G03B2205/0076

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assembly comprising: a support structure (211); a moveable part (213) moveable relative to the support structure; at least one SMA wire (202) having a first portion and a second portion respectively attached to the support structure and the moveable part, the said SMA wire is configured to, on contraction, drive movement in the moveable part at least in a primary axis along which the shortest side of the SMA actuator assembly extends; an intermediate component (220) engaging the SMA wire at a location between the first and second portions, the second portion of the SMA wire being arranged at an oblique angle to both the primary axis and the first portion of the SMA wire.

公开(公告)号：US20220357557A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-10

申请号：US17762007

申请日：2020-07-06

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Robert Langhorne ,  James Howarth ,  Robin Eddington

IPC: G02B7/09 ,  F03G7/06 ,  G03B5/02

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

公开(公告)号：US20220112886A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-14

申请号：US17558781

申请日：2021-12-22

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： James Howarth ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Stephen Matthew Bunting ,  Robert Langhorne ,  Martin McBrien

IPC: F03G7/06 ,  H01R4/18

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

公开(公告)号：US20210156367A1

公开(公告)日：2021-05-27

申请号：US16614076

申请日：2018-05-16

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： James Howarth ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Stephen Matthew Bunting ,  Robert Langhorne ,  Martin MacBrien

IPC: F03G7/06 ,  H01R4/18

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

公开(公告)号：US12216328B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-04

申请号：US17762007

申请日：2020-07-06

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Robert Langhorne ,  James Howarth ,  Robin Eddington

IPC: G02B7/09 ,  F03G7/06 ,  G03B5/02

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises: first (20) and second (10) parts, wherein a primary axis (P) is defined with reference to the second part; a plurality of lengths of shape-memory alloy wire (30) connected between the first and second parts, wherein the lengths of wire are configured, when selectively powered, to cause three-dimensional movement of the first part relative to the second part; and a mechanism configured, when the lengths of wire are unpowered, to hold the first part in at least one position and/or orientation relative to the second part against the force of gravity for any orientation of the second part.

公开(公告)号：US12099250B2

公开(公告)日：2024-09-24

申请号：US18019304

申请日：2021-08-05

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Adam South ,  Robert Langhorne ,  James Howarth ,  Emily Kwok

IPC: G02B7/08 ,  G02B27/64 ,  G03B5/06 ,  G03B13/36 ,  F03G7/06

CPC classification number: G02B7/08 ,  G02B27/646 ,  G03B5/06 ,  G03B13/36 ,  F03G7/06143 ,  F03G7/0665 ,  G03B2205/0023 ,  G03B2205/0076

Abstract: An actuator assembly (4001) includes a first part (4002), a second part (4004), a bearing arrangement (4003) and a drive arrangement (4005). The bearing arrangement (4003) includes first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) arranged about a primary axis (4009) passing through the actuator assembly (4001). The bearing arrangement (4003) supports the second part (4004) on the first part (4002). The second part (4004) is tiltable about first and/or second axes (4011, 4012) which are not parallel and which are perpendicular to the primary axis (4009). The drive arrangement (4005) includes four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104). The four lengths of shape memory alloy wire (40101, 40102, 40103, 40104) are coupled to the second part (4004) and to the first part (4002). The bearing 15 arrangement (4003) is configured to convert lateral force(s) normal to the primary axis (4009) generated by the drive arrangement (4005) into tilting of the second part (4004) about the first and/or second axes (4011, 4012). Each of the first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) has a first end (4016) connected to the first part (4002) and a second end (4017) connected to the second part (4004). Each of the first to fourth flexures (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) includes a feature (1016) configured to increase a first compliance of that flexure (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) to displacement of the respective second end (4017) towards the respective first end (4016). The first compliance is less than a second compliance of that flexure (40151, 40152, 40153, 40154) to 25 displacement of the respective second end (4017) parallel to the primary axis (4009).

公开(公告)号：US20230250810A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-10

申请号：US18010342

申请日：2021-06-17

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  James Howarth ,  Robert Langhorne ,  René Kist

IPC: F03G7/06 ,  G03B13/36

CPC classification number: F03G7/0614 ,  G03B13/36

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator comprising: a support structure (10); a moveable part (20) movable relative to In the support structure; plural SMA components (30) connecting the support structure and the movable part, the SMA components are operable to controllably change the position and/or orientation of the moveable part in two or more degrees of freedom; a controller (12) for controlling the operation of the SMA components in a first operating mode during normal operation and a second operating mode in response to an event; and means configured to, during the second operating mode, maintain at least partial control of the moveable part with a subset of the plural SMA components.

公开(公告)号：US20240329421A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-03

申请号：US18580253

申请日：2022-07-20

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： Stephen Matthew Bunting ,  Samuel Armstrong ,  Robert Langhorne ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Oliver Hart ,  Kiran Auchoybur ,  Alexander Johnson ,  Peter Van Wyk

IPC: G02B27/64 ,  G02B7/02 ,  G03B13/36

CPC classification number: G02B27/646 ,  G02B7/022 ,  G03B13/36

Abstract: An actuator assembly comprising: a static part; a moving part; an intermediate part; a first bearing arrangement which guides movement of the intermediate part relative to the static part; a second bearing arrangement which guides movement of the moving part relative to the intermediate part; and an actuator arrangement arranged to drive movement of the moving part relative to the static part; and at least one overall endstop between the static part and the moving part and arranged such that the moving part contacts the static part at a limit of movement of the moving part relative to the static part.

公开(公告)号：US11725636B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-15

申请号：US17558781

申请日：2021-12-22

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： James Howarth ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Stephen Matthew Bunting ,  Robert Langhorne ,  Martin McBrien

IPC: G02B7/08 ,  F03G7/06 ,  H01R4/18

CPC classification number: F03G7/065 ,  F03G7/0614 ,  H01R4/182

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

公开(公告)号：US11231022B2

公开(公告)日：2022-01-25

申请号：US16614076

申请日：2018-05-17

Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED

Inventor： James Howarth ,  Andrew Benjamin Simpson Brown ,  Stephen Matthew Bunting ,  Robert Langhorne ,  Martin McBrien

IPC: F03G7/06 ,  H01R4/18

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.