Design and prototype of fuse activated by SMA wire

The paper presents the origin and general idea of a didactic project realized at the Department of Mechatronics at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland. Technical goal of the project is to design and examine a prototype of electrical fuse activated by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wire. Project is realized at the University by a schoolboy of a secondary school under the supervision of two PhDs. Educational goal of the project is to develop unique talents and abilities of extraordinarily talented pupil of secondary school - Kamil Swiatek. Problem Based Learning methodology as well as Learning by Doing is implemented. The article presents the measurement methodology and prototype measurement stand. PC controlled power supply unit changes SMA wire supply mode of operation among current control and voltage control in real time. Results and analysis of static measurement is done, as well as two steps of dynamic measurements. The waveforms of exemplary measurement routines show the results of investigations. Advantages and disadvantages of the proposed solution are discussed.