Nitinol Actuator Over-Stress Protection

Nitinol actuators are very easily damaged if the stress exceeds roughly 40 ksi or if the temperature exceeds 150 degrees C. This is a demonstration of mechanical over-stress protection in which flexures deflect very short distances when an engineered or pre-determined Nitinol wire stress is exceeded. Under high stress conditions the flexures allow the Nitinol anchor point to move and close a switch. Thereby cutting power to the device and protecting the Nitinol from over temperature or over stress conditions.