DESIGN OF SHAPE-MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATORS (REPRINTED FROM JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN, VOL 114, PG 223-230, 1993)

This paper describes the design of shape memory alloy force and displa cement actuators based upon the thermomechanical constitutive relation s previously developed by the authors. Numerical simulations and desig n case studies are presented which show the utility and advantages of this method over design methods currently being used. The types of act uators described and analyzed include bias spring actuators, different ial force actuators, and their hybrid systems. The design approach inc ludes coupling between the one-dimensional thermomechanical constituti ve relations and a lumped capacitance transient thermal analysis. The design approach described herein will provide a practical and convenie nt method for use in the design of shape memory alloy actuators.