Abstract: Eyeglass frames fabricated from shape-memory alloys which have optimized elastic properties, which exhibit a combination of shape-memory and elastic properties, which utilize the shape-memory property of these alloys in fastening elements or which utilize the flexibility and fatigue resistance of the martensite state of the alloys as a hinge element.

Abstract: A self-heating and self-soldering bus bar for use in many applications. The pins of the bus bar are quickly and directly heated to a predetermined autoregulated temperature without significantly raising the temperature of the body of the bus. Thusly a bus bar may be mounted while maintaining thermal balance and mechanical integrity of all work pieces. The present invention avoids the problems normally associated with excess thermal expansion experienced when a bus bar is heated incidental to the heating of its contact points. A majority of this incidental heating is eliminated by direct quick heating of the mounting pins.

Abstract: Rings of shape memory metal are deformed to be insertable between coaxial and overlapping surfaces of a conduit and a coupler so that upon heating above their transition temperature, the rings attempt to return to their undeformed shape and seal the opening between the two surfaces; the sealing rings being concave-convex with the convex surface directed toward the adjacent end of the conduit whereby interval pressure in the conduit tends to further expand the metal and increase the seal. Retainer rings in the general form of the section of a conic may be employed to provide additional strength against separation.

Abstract: Eyeglass frames fabricated from shape-memory alloys which have optimized elastic properties, which exhibit a combination of shape-memory and optimized elastic properties, which utilize the shape-memory property of these alloys in fastening elements or which utilize the flexibility and fatigue resistance of the martensite state of the alloys as a hinge element.

Abstract: An autoregulating electrically shielded heater employs a structure of two magnetically permeable members of different Curie temperatures and preferably differing resistivities. The two members are in electrical contact with one another; having at their interface a very low resistivity layer or member provided by copper or a like material. A first of the electromagnetic members has the lower Curie temperature and high resistivity while the other of said members has the higher Curie temperature of the two and preferably lower resistivity. A constant current a.c. source is connected to induce currents in the members parallel to their interface. Below the Curie temperature of the first member, current is substantially confined to a narrow region along a surface remote from the interface. Above the Curie temperature, some of the current spreads into the low resistance layer or member and into the second electromagnetic member where it is confined, due to skin effect to a narrow region adjacent the interface.

Abstract: Shape memory materials, preferably metals, are employed to replace levers to control opening and closing of opposed pairs of contacts in multicontact, zero insertion force connectors; the shape memory material replacing levers for opening the connectors.

Abstract: A tube for use in a flow controller of an intravenous or other slow flow control apparatus has a configuration somewhat like the opening defined by the open eyelids of the human eye whereby to provide relatively sharp corners and narrow width of the opening to reduce materially the force required to close relative to that required to close a round tube and to reduce the movement of the flow control element of the controller, which controller is configured to take advantage of the shape of the tube and employs a shape memory control element to adjust rate of flow of the fluid; the controller also including a brake element to lock the flow rate at a particular preselectable rate.

Abstract: Designation of specific heating zones and increase in minimum resistance relative to prior heaters of the type to which the present invention pertains is achieved, together with flexibility or bendability, if desired, by slotting the outer conductor of the heater. Additional flexibility is also achieved by confining the high mu material only to those regions of the device where heating is desired, the unslotted regions.

Abstract: A tube for use in a flow controller of an intravenous or other slow flow control apparatus has a configuration somewhat like the opening defined by the open eyelids of the human eye whereby to provide relatively sharp corners and narrow width of the opening to reduce materially the force required to close relative to that required to close a round tube and to reduce the movement of the flow control element of the controller, which controller is configured to take advantage of the shape of the tube and employs a shape memory control element to adjust rate of flow of the fluid; the controller also including a brake element to lock the flow rate at a particular preselectable rate.

Abstract: A heating structure is described having both a return conductor and a heating element consisting of a substrate of a non-magnetic material having high thermal and electrical conductivity, clad with a surface layer of a ferromagnetic material of relatively low electrical conductivity.

Abstract: An autoregulating, electrically shielded heater employs a laminated structure having two magnetic alloy permeable materials of widely differing Curie point temperatures and preferably of differing resistivities. A constant current supply is connected across the laminate such that current flows in the laminae along parallel paths. Due to skin effect, the current is confined to a thin region of a first lamina which is located between the other lamina and the electrical return path. This first lamina has the lower Curie temperature and preferably the higher resistivity of the two laminae to produce heating proportional to I.sup.2 R.sub.1. When the Curie temperature of the first lamina is approached, the current spreads into the other lamina which may have a lower resistivity and higher Curie temperature and heating is obtained by I.sup.2 R.sub.2 where I.sup.2 is a constant due to the constant current source and preferably R.sub.2 <R.sub.1.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package having a substrate of ceramic material having a cavity therein, a resilient seal rim connected to the substrate, a lid that may be inserted within said rim and a band of shape-memory alloy surrounding the rim to compress the rim into contact with the lid to seal the package.

Abstract: A unitary disposable conduit extends from the intravenous reservoir along a gravity-flow path to the patient, and incorporates a valve block containing an externally controlled flow-control valve. An electronic controller monitors the drop rate in a drop chamber which is an integral part of the disposable conduit, compares this rate with an operator-selected rate, and controls the valve by varying the current in a shape-memory actuator element whose movements, caused by the resultant Joule heating, are coupled to the valve to proportionally vary the flow rate in the conduit. The valve block is securely received within a recess in the controller, and is automatically coupled to the controller when inserted within this recess. The shape-memory actuator element may be incorporated within the disposable valve block, or may form a part of the controller, with a simple mechanical coupling to transmit its movements to the valve.

Abstract: Shape memory materials, preferably metals, are employed to replace levers to control opening and closing of opposed pairs of contacts in cam operated, multi-contact, zero insertion force connectors; the shape memory material replacing levers for translating or rotating cam actuators in the connectors.

Abstract: A common problem in the art of connecting two electrical components is the providing of a convenient and effective zero insertion force coupling therebetween especially where a plurality of parallel conductors along one component are to be connected with a corresponding plurality along the other. The present apparatus and method address this problem by providing a split tube edge along one of the two electrical components, the split tube including a memory shape material therein. When the split tube is opened, the second electrical component is inserted therein whereupon the split tube can be closed. Conductors along the split tube make contact with corresponding conductors along the second component when the tube is closed. The memory shape material in the split tube acts to either open the split tube or close the split tube when the material reaches a characteristic transition temperature.

Abstract: An artificial sphincter includes an implantable clamp which selectively pinches closed or opens a vessel in a living body. The clamp includes a spring member and a shape memory member that has a memory configuration. Either the vessel opening operation or vessel closing operation is effected by deforming the shape memory member from the memory configuration thereof, the other operation being effected by heat recovering the shape memory member to the memory configuration thereof. The shape memory member is heated by means of an AC source external to the body, the source inducing a heat-generating current, via a coil, in the shape memory member or in a resistive heater element which transfers heat to the shape memory element. The coil is preferably positioned near the surface of the body and is connected with leads to the shape memory member or resistive heater element which may be at a distance form the body surface.

Abstract: A stapling device utilizes heat recoverable material (the driver) having shape memory to drive staples through materials to be joined and in one embodiment, against an anvil for crimping the ends of the staples. The heat recoverable material, preferably a metal such as Nitinol, may have heat applied by a heater mounted on at least one surface thereof or by induction or other method of heating. If a heater is mounted on a surface of the driver, upon insertion of the driver into the staple device, the heater makes electrical connection with terminals for connection to a supply circuit. In a specific embodiment staples may be provided, fabricated from heat recoveralbe metal so that each staple may carry its own heat recoverable, staple driving element. The staple tines may have a heat recoverable shape with the ends of the tines directed toward one another so that staple closure occures as heat migrates from the staple driving region to the tines thereof.

Abstract: The staples are made of a material having the intrinsic property of shape memory, such that heating the material above a certain temperature known as the transition temperature causes any deformation introduced at temperatures below the transition temperature to be reversed, and the staple recovers fully to its shape prior to the deformation. By forming the staple into any desired closed position at a temperature above the transition temperature and then cooling the staple below the transition temperature before deforming it into an open position, the resulting staple will revert to its closed position when it is subsequently reheated above the transition temperature. Consequently, the staple can be used for surgical suturing by merely positioning it in contact with the tissues to be sutured and heating it sufficiently to cause it to penetrate and clinch the tissues together.

Abstract: The heating element consists of a substrate or core of a non-magnetic material having high thermal and electrical conductivity, clad with a surface layer of a ferromagnetic material of relatively low electrical conductivity. When the heating element is energized by a source of high frequency alternating current, the skin effect initially confines current flow principally to the surface layer of ferromagnetic material. As temperature rises into the region of the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material, however, the decline in magnetic permeability of the ferromagnetic material causes a significant lessening of the skin effect, permitting migration of current into the high conductivity non-magnetic core, thereby simultaneously enlarging the cross-sectional area of the current flow path and expanding it into the highly conductive material; the resistance of the heating element becomes less due to both causes.

Abstract: A method of sealing electrical components by positioning over the electrical component a heat recoverable sealing member. When a metal sealing member is utilized, the metal is in a deformed, unstable martensitic state, and thereafter is allowed to heat recover to a stable, austenitic state. When a plastic material is used, the polymer is heated, deformed and quenched in an unstable state, so upon heating it recovers via its elastic memory to a stable state.