초록 ▼

A membrane actuator includes a magnetically actuatable membrane and a magnetic trigger. The membrane includes a shape memory alloy (SMA), and the magnetic trigger is configured to induce a martensitic transformation in the SMA, to produce a larger force than would be achievable with non-SMA-based ma

A membrane actuator includes a magnetically actuatable membrane and a magnetic trigger. The membrane includes a shape memory alloy (SMA), and the magnetic trigger is configured to induce a martensitic transformation in the SMA, to produce a larger force than would be achievable with non-SMA-based materials. Such a membrane actuator can be beneficially incorporated into a wide variety of devices, including fluid pumps, shock absorbing systems, and synthetic jet producing devices for use in an aircraft. The membrane/diaphragm can be formed from a ferromagnetic SMA, or a ferromagnetic material can be coupled with an SMA such that the SMA and the ferromagnetic material move together. A hybrid magnetic trigger, including a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, is preferably used for the magnetic trigger, as hybrid magnetic triggers are easy to control, and produce larger magnetic gradients than permanent magnets or electromagnets alone.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A membrane actuator, comprising: (a) a membrane configured to be magnetically actuated, actuation of the membrane causing the membrane to move from a first position to a second position, the membrane comprising a shape memory alloy; (b) a magnetic trigger configured to

The invention claimed is: 1. A membrane actuator, comprising: (a) a membrane configured to be magnetically actuated, actuation of the membrane causing the membrane to move from a first position to a second position, the membrane comprising a shape memory alloy; (b) a magnetic trigger configured to selectively actuate the membrane; and (c) an additional membrane disposed such that the membrane and the additional membrane can be actuated by the magnetic trigger. 2. The membrane actuator of claim 1, wherein the magnetic trigger produces a magnetic field strength sufficient to induce a stress induced martensitic transformation in the shape memory alloy when the membrane is actuated. 3. The membrane actuator of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy. 4. The membrane actuator of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy is super elastic. 5. The membrane actuator of claim 1, wherein the membrane further comprises a ferromagnetic mass coupled with the shape memory alloy such that the ferromagnetic mass and the shape memory alloy move together, the ferromagnetic mass being configured to be attracted to the magnetic trigger when the magnetic trigger is activated. 6. A membrane actuator, comprising: (a) a membrane configured to be magnetically actuated, actuation of the membrane causing the membrane to move from a first position to a second position, the membrane comprising a shape memory alloy, wherein the membrane further comprises: (i) a ferromagnetic mass coupled with the shape memory alloy such that the ferromagnetic mass and the shape memory alloy move together, the ferromagnetic mass being configured to be attracted to the magnetic trigger when the magnetic trigger is activated; and (ii) at least one spacer disposed between the ferromagnetic mass and the shape memory alloy; and (b) a magnetic trigger configured to selectively actuate the membrane. 7. The membrane actuator of claim 6, wherein the at least one spacer is configured to enhance a rigidity of the membrane. 8. The membrane actuator of claim 6, wherein the at least one spacer is configured to prevent the ferromagnetic mass and the shape memory alloy from contacting during actuation. 9. A membrane actuator, comprising: (a) a magnetic trigger; and (b) a membrane configured to be magnetically actuated by the magnetic trigger, actuation of the membrane causing the membrane to move from a first position to a second position, the membrane comprising a shape memory alloy and an iron mass coupled with the shape memory alloy such that the iron mass and the shape memory alloy move together, the iron mass being configured to be attracted to the magnetic trigger when the magnetic trigger is activated. 10. The membrane actuator of claim 9, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises super elastic nickel titanium (NiTi) alloy. 11. A membrane actuator, comprising: (a) a magnetic trigger; (b) a membrane configured to be magnetically actuated by the magnetic trigger, actuation of the membrane causing the membrane to move from a first position to a second position, the membrane comprising a shape memory alloy and a first ferromagnetic mass coupled with the shape memory alloy such that the first ferromagnetic mass and the shape memory alloy move together, the first ferromagnetic mass being configured to be attracted to the magnetic trigger when the magnetic trigger is activated; (c) an additional magnetic trigger; and (d) an additional ferromagnetic mass coupled with the shape memory alloy such that the additional ferromagnetic mass and the shape memory alloy move together, the additional ferromagnetic mass being configured to be attracted to the additional magnetic trigger when the additional magnetic trigger is activated, a synchronized activation of the magnetic trigger and the additional magnetic trigger resulting in the membrane reciprocating back-and-forth between the magnetic trigger and the additional magnetic trigger. 12. A membrane actuator, comprising: (a) a membrane configured to be magnetically actuated, actuation of the membrane causing the membrane to move from a first position to a second position, the membrane comprising a shape memory alloy; and (b) a hybrid magnetic trigger including at least one permanent magnet and at least one electromagnet, the hybrid magnetic trigger being configured to selectively actuate the membrane, the hybrid magnetic trigger comprising at least one configuration selected from the group consisting essentially of: (i) a first configuration wherein each at least one permanent magnet comprises a ring magnet having a north pole, a south pole, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the north pole corresponding to one of the inner surface and the outer surface, the south pole corresponding to the other of the inner surface and the outer surface; (ii) a second configuration wherein each at least one permanent magnet comprises a ring magnet having a north pole, a south pole, an upper surface, and a lower surface, the north pole corresponding to one of the upper surface and the lower surface, the south pole corresponding to the other of the upper surface and the lower surface; and (iii) a third configuration wherein the hybrid magnetic trigger comprises a laminated yoke configured to reduce eddy currents in the hybrid magnetic trigger. 13. A membrane actuator, comprising: (a) a membrane configured to be magnetically actuated, actuation of the membrane causing the membrane to move from a first position to a second position, the membrane comprising a shape memory alloy; (b) a magnetic trigger; and (c) wherein the membrane actuator is incorporated into a suspension system, the magnetic trigger being controllably coupled to a processor programmed and configured to actuate the membrane to dampen a vibration. 14. A membrane actuator, comprising: (a) a membrane configured to be magnetically actuated, actuation of the membrane causing the membrane to move from a first position to a second position, the membrane comprising a shape memory alloy; (b) a magnetic trigger configured to selectively actuate the membrane; and (c) a housing, the membrane being disposed in the housing, such that an operating volume is defined by the membrane and the housing, wherein a movement of the membrane from the first position to the second position changes the operating volume and moves a fluid. 15. The membrane actuator of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises an orifice, the orifice coupling the operating volume in fluid communication with a source volume, the source volume being external to the housing. 16. The membrane actuator of claim 15, wherein the source volume comprises an ambient environment and when movement of the membrane results in an increase in the operating volume, a fluid in the ambient environment is drawn into the operating volume, and when movement of the membrane results in a decrease in the operating volume, a fluid in the operating volume is emitted from the orifice into the ambient environment. 17. The membrane actuator of claim 16, wherein repeated actuation of the membrane forms a series of fluid vortices that are projected into the ambient environment via the orifice, the fluid vortices entraining a portion of the fluid in the ambient environment, thereby generating a synthetic jet. 18. The membrane actuator of claim 17, wherein the membrane actuator is incorporated into a wing of an aircraft, and disposed such that the synthetic jet is directed into a flow of air moving over the wing. 19. The membrane actuator of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a fluid inlet configured to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid supply, and a fluid outlet configured to be placed in fluid communication with a discharge volume, repeated actuation of the membrane resulting in movement of fluid from the fluid supply, through the housing, and into the discharge volume. 20. The membrane actuator of claim 19, further comprising a first valve and a second valve, the first valve being configured to isolate the operating volume from the fluid supply when movement of the membrane results in a decrease in the operating volume, and the second valve being configured to isolate the operating volume from the discharge volume when movement of the membrane results in an increase in the operating volume.