Abstract: A hubless caster assembly includes a caster body and at least one wheel, the wheel comprising a toroidal member having a bearing race, and a complementary bearing race supported by the caster body. Bearing elements in the races support the wheel in free rotation. The caster body may comprise a ring body having an axial opening, whereby the caster assembly has a large central aperture extending entirely therethrough. A centering ring may be secured in the axial opening with the complementary bearing race formed therein. A hub cap with visual treatment may be secured over the central aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the unintended activation of SMA devices by ambient temperatures that exceed the phase transition temperature of the SMA material itself. In one embodiment a passive actuator is coupled to an active actuator, each having identical arrangements of SMA wire, but connected in opposite directions to compensate for temperature drift that is not due to powered heating. A second embodiment consists of a passive SMA wire connected to a latch/release mechanism allowing the actuator itself to move rather than moving the load. In a third embodiment the passive wire is connected to a load coupling, so that the load itself is disconnected from the actuator when the passive wire reaches the phase transition temperature. The passive wire may be made of a lower-temperature wire than the active wires, so that the release action occurs long before the active wire begins to be moved by ambient temperature.

Abstract: A hubless caster assembly includes a caster body and at least one wheel, the wheel comprising a toroidal member having a bearing race, and a complementary bearing race supported by the caster body. Bearing elements in the races support the wheel in free rotation. The caster body may comprise a ring body having an axial opening, whereby the caster assembly has a large central aperture extending entirely therethrough. A centering ring may be secured in the axial opening with the complementary bearing race formed therein. A hub cap with visual treatment may be secured over the central aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing the unintended activation of SMA devices by ambient temperatures that exceed the phase transition temperature of the SMA material itself. In one embodiment a passive actuator is coupled to an active actuator, each having identical arrangements of SMA wire, but connected in opposite directions to compensate for temperature drift that is not due to powered heating. A second embodiment consists of a passive SMA wire connected to a latch/release mechanism allowing the actuator itself to move rather than moving the load. In a third embodiment the passive wire is connected to a load coupling, so that the load itself is disconnected from the actuator when the passive wire reaches the phase transition temperature. The passive wire may be made of a lower-temperature wire than the active wires, so that the release action occurs long before the active wire begins to be moved by ambient temperature.

Abstract: A hubless caster assembly includes a caster body and at least one wheel, the wheel comprising a toroidal member having a bearing race, and a complementary bearing race supported by the caster body. Bearing elements in the races support the wheel in free rotation. The caster body may comprise a ring body having an axial opening, whereby the caster assembly has a large central aperture extending entirely therethrough. A centering ring may be secured in the axial opening with the complementary bearing race formed therein. A hub cap with visual treatment may be secured over the central aperture.