ACTUATOR
An actuator for opening a locking of an emergency oxygen container or a mask door in an aircraft. The actuator includes an opener of a shape memory alloy and a resistance wire. The resistance wire is at least partly wound around the opener and can be connected to a supply voltage.
1 . A lock actuator comprising:
an opener of a shape memory alloy;
a resistance wire connected to said opener in a thermally conductive manner and connectable to a supply voltage.
2 . An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein said resistance wire at least partly is wound around said opener or along said opener.
3 . An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein said opener is configured to change length with changes of temperature.
4 . An actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising a thermistor connected in series with said resistance wire in front of said resistance wire.
5 . An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein said resistance wire comprises copper, nickel and manganese.
6 . An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein said resistance wire is at least partly wound around said opener or along said opener to provide a plurality of windings and a distance is present in each case between adjacent said windings of said resistance wire.
7 . An actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising a tube wherein said opener and said resistance wire are received at least partly in said tube.
8 . An actuator according to claim 7 , wherein said tube is a capillary
9 . An actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising a tube wherein said opener at least partly is received in said tube, and said resistance wire is wound at least partly around said tube.
10 . An actuator according to claim 9 , wherein said tube is a capillary.
11 . An actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is arranged in a passenger service unit in an aircraft.
12 . An aircraft comprising:
a passenger service unit in an aircraft
an emergency oxygen container or mask container with a door, said emergency oxygen container or mask container being arranged in said passenger service unit in the aircraft;
a door lock actuator comprising an opener of a shape memory alloy and a resistance wire connected to said opener in a thermally conductive manner and connectable to a supply voltage.
13 . An aircraft according to claim 12 , wherein said resistance wire at least partly is wound around said opener or along said opener.
14 . An aircraft according to claim 12 , wherein said opener is configured to change length with changes of temperature.
15 . An aircraft according to claim 12 , further comprising a thermistor connected in series with said resistance wire in front of said resistance wire.
16 . An aircraft according to claim 12 , wherein said resistance wire comprises copper, nickel and manganese.
17 . An aircraft according to claim 12 , wherein said resistance wire is at least partly wound around said opener or along said opener to provide a plurality of windings and a distance is present in each case between adjacent said windings of said resistance wire.
18 . An aircraft according to claim 12 , further comprising a tube wherein said opener and said resistance wire are received at least partly in said tube.
19 . An aircraft compartment door actuator comprising:
a compartment with a door;
a lock actuator comprising an opener of a shape memory alloy and a resistance wire connected to said opener in a thermally conductive manner and a supply voltage connected to said resistance wire.
20 . An actuator according to claim 19 , wherein:
said resistance wire at least partly is wound around said opener or along said opener; and
said opener is configured to change length with changes of temperature.