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

A systematic approach to the conceptual design of actuator applications with single-crystals of Cu–Zn–Al shape memory alloys (SMA) is presented. The actuator considered here, a device capable of doing work in response to temperature changes, is based on a single-crystal nucleus of a Cu–Zn–Al alloy coupled to a conventional spring that represents the load to be displaced. The different steps and factors involved in the conceptual design are described. In this stage, a full transformation cycle approach was adopted. In this way the effects of different parameters (cycle number, friction, temperature range, load level) on the actuator behavior can be studied.