SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY HINGE ASSEMBLY

摘要

A hinge assembly (10) for deploying at least a first object (12) in a controllable, substantially shockless manner is disclosed. Generally, the hinge assembly (10) includes at least a first flexure member (20) capable of moving from a first, folded configuration to a second, straightened configuration, and a controller (24) for controlling the movement of at least the first flexure member (20) as the first flexure member (20) moves or reconfigures from the folded configuration to the straightened configuration. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a shape memory alloy in at least the first flexure member (20).