99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY THERMALLY DRIVEN MINIATURE PISTONACTUATOR: A HIGH-DISPLACEMENT AND HIGH-FORCE ACTUATOR

NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses. THE TECHNOLOGY: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have developed a miniature linear piston actuator composed of a thermally active shape-changing material as the core ingredient inside a cylinder with two moveable caps/plungers on the top and bottom. A heater with a thermal sensor is attached to the outer surface of the cylinder. When the actuator is position-controlled, a position sensor such as a laser range finder is used to monitor the position of the end caps and provide the required feedback to a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. These miniature actuators can produce large displacement ( inch) and force (50 lbf) rapidly. NASA has tested the valve and demonstrated position control with critical damping behavior with a viscoelastic actuator. The closed-loop feedback compensates for disturbances, such as thermal lag, creep, and environmental changes. The two graphs show the actuator displacement in response the corresponding heating over a one-hour time span. NASA has performed initial testing and is seeking a partner to further develop and commercialize the technology. Two patent applications have been filed for the technology. The technology offers wide-ranging market applications, including, actuators for optics control, certain antenna applications, active shock absorbers, non-metallic and non-hydraulic valve operation. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. Please also provide the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at http://technology.nasa.gov/ . These responses are provided to members of NASA Langleys Office of Strategic Analysis and Business Development OSACB for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, OSACB will follow the required formal licensing process of posting in the Federal Register. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.