Conceptual design of actuator applications with Cu-Zn-Al single crystals

A systematic approach to the conceptual design of actuator applications wit h single-crystals of Cu-Zn-Al shape memory alloys (SMA) is presented. The a ctuator considered here, a device capable of doing work in response to temp erature changes, is based on a single-crystal nucleus of a Cu-Zn-Al alloy c oupled to a conventional spring that represents the load to be displaced. T he different steps and factors involved in the conceptual design are descri bed. In this stage, a full transformation cycle approach was adopted. In th is way the effects of different parameters (cycle number, friction, tempera ture range, load level) on the actuator behavior can be studied. (C) 1999 E lsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.