Patents by Inventor Thomas MARTIG

Thomas MARTIG has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators and systems and methods including the same
    Patent number: 9541177
    Abstract: Ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators include a ratcheting assembly that is operatively coupled to a first bracket and a shape memory alloy element that is operatively coupled to the ratcheting assembly and to a second bracket. The first bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a first structure, while the second bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a second structure. The shape memory alloy element is configured to apply a motive force to the ratcheting assembly upon deformation between a first conformation and a second conformation. The ratcheting assembly is configured to utilize the motive force to selectively adjust an orientation of the first structure relative to the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas Martig, Frederick T. Calkins, Tony Koung
  • RATCHETING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATORS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS INCLUDING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20150101452
    Abstract: Ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators include a ratcheting assembly that is operatively coupled to a first bracket and a shape memory alloy element that is operatively coupled to the ratcheting assembly and to a second bracket. The first bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a first structure, while the second bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a second structure. The shape memory alloy element is configured to apply a motive force to the ratcheting assembly upon deformation between a first conformation and a second conformation. The ratcheting assembly is configured to utilize the motive force to selectively adjust an orientation of the first structure relative to the second structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas MARTIG, Frederick T. Calkins, Tony Koung