Self assembling/quick assembly structure using shape memory alloy materials

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first piece, an assembly, and a stop;

said first piece having a segment and being configured to rotate between a first orientation and a second orientation with respect to the assembly;

said assembly being configured to pass the first piece when the first piece is in the first orientation and to block passage of the first piece and to engage the segment when the first piece is in the second orientation, said assembly including a first shape memory alloy responsive to an energy transfer to apply a force to the segment along the transverse direction, the segment being shaped to translate the first piece along a selected path responsive to the transverse force, the selected path being non-parallel to the direction of the transverse force; and

said stop being positioned to limit movement of the segment along the selected path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stop is located axially relative to the segment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the segment is shaped to translate the first piece axially responsive to the transverse force.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy comprises NiTi.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy comprises CuZnAl.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy comprises CuAlNi.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy comprises FeMnSi.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy comprises a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a first piece, said first piece having an engagement surface and being configured to rotate between a first orientation and a second orientation with respect to an assembly; and

the assembly being configured to pass the first piece when the first piece is in the first orientation and to block passage of the first piece when the first piece is in the second orientation, the assembly being further configured to interact with the engagement surface in a manner that applies a force to the engagement surface when the first piece is in the second orientation, the assembly and first piece being arranged such that the applied force translates the first piece along a selected path, the selected path being non-parallel to the direction of the applied force, the assembly including a first shape memory alloy responsive to an energy transfer to provide the force to be applied.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second shape memory alloy comprises NiTi.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy is responsive to an energy transfer of thermal energy.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy is responsive to an energy transfer of electrical energy.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy is responsive to an energy transfer of magnetic energy.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy is responsive to an energy transfer of electromagnetic energy.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first shape memory alloy is responsive to an energy transfer of mechanical energy.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the assembly is configured to deform responsive to an energy transfer.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the assembly substantially surrounds the segment.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the assembly includes a substantially ring shaped portion.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the assembly includes a substantially coiled portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a portion having substantially circular symmetry.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the first piece has substantially circular symmetry.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the assembly includes an arm configured to make contact with the first piece.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the arm includes a handle configured to make contact with the first piece.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the handle is configured to substantially surround the first piece.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stop is configured with a passage, said passage being configured to allow the first piece to pass.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stop is configured to limit the motion of the first piece.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the assembly and the stop are in intimate contact.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the position of the stop is substantially fixed with respect to the assembly.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stop includes a substantially solid plane.

30. An apparatus comprising:

a first piece, said first piece having a segment and being configured to rotate between a first orientation and a second orientation with respect to a stop, the stop being configured to pass the first piece when the first piece is in the first orientation and to block passage of the first piece when the first piece is in the second orientation; and

an assembly configured to engage the segment, said assembly including a first shape memory alloy responsive to an energy transfer to apply a force to the segment along a transverse direction relative to the selected path, the segment being shaped to translate the first piece along the selected path responsive to the transverse force.

31. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first piece includes an aperture, and wherein the stop includes a rod configured to pass through the aperture.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the rod comprises a second shape memory alloy.

33. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus has dimensions, said dimensions being substantially micron scale.

34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is configured in an array.

35. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first piece forms a key.

36. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the assembly forms a lock.

37. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the first piece forms a key.

38. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the assembly forms a lock.