Abstract: An electronic implement adapted for use in a circuit, and including a shape memory element, such as a shape memory alloy wire, wherein the element, when activated and/or deactivated, is operable to open, close, or otherwise modify at least one characteristic of the circuit.

Abstract: An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.

Abstract: A method of controlling a shape memory alloy actuator utilizing the change in resistance exhibited by the actuator over an actuation cycle, or a derivative thereof, to identify at least one event, such as, for example, a peak, valley, change in slope without reaching a valley, or a jump in resistance within the signal plot that corresponds to the start of actuation, end of actuation, an overload case, and the introduction of a resistive element respectively, and generating a response based upon the event.

Abstract: An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element.

Abstract: A method of measuring a temperature of a wire and a current flowing through the wire with a thermocouple includes taking a first voltage reading from the thermocouple with the current at a first polarity, and taking a second voltage reading from the thermocouple with the current at a second polarity. The first voltage reading is averaged with the second voltage reading to obtain an average voltage reading, which is referenced to a correlation table to calculate the temperature of the wire. Half of a voltage difference between the first voltage reading and the second voltage reading is divided by the resistance in the wire to calculate the current flowing through the wire.

Abstract: An electronic implement adapted for use in a circuit, and including a shape memory element, such as a shape memory alloy wire, wherein the element, when activated and/or deactivated, is operable to open, close, or otherwise modify at least one characteristic of the circuit.

Abstract: The invention involves a radio frequency (RF) antenna, having both reduced size and optimized impedance matching to free space over a range of wavelengths. The invention also involves methods for hiding an antenna by reducing its size and concealing it behind or within an object that is transparent to electromagnetic waves over a range of wavelengths being transmitted or received by the antenna.

Abstract: A method of controlling a shape memory alloy actuator utilizing the change in resistance exhibited by the actuator over an actuation cycle, and more preferably, a derivative thereof, to identify at least one event, and generating a response based upon the event.

Abstract: An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.

Abstract: An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element.

Abstract: The invention involves a radio frequency (RF) antenna, having both reduced size and optimized impedance matching to free space over a range of wavelengths. The invention also involves methods for hiding an antenna by reducing its size and concealing it behind or within an object that is transparent to electromagnetic waves over a range of wavelengths being transmitted or received by the antenna.