Michael D Bokaie

US Patent:

7422403, Sep 9, 2008

Filed:

Oct 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/972745

Inventors:

A. David Johnson - San Leandro CA, US
Michael Bokaie - San Rafael CA, US
Valery Martynov - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Tini Alloy Company - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

F16B 35/00

US Classification:

411 825, 411DIG 2, 411392

Abstract:

A device and method for holding or clamping components together, and with the clamping being selectively loosened to permit the components to move through a predetermined distance without being fully released. A bolt has its head end attached to one component and its threaded end attached to the other component. A portion of the bolt's shank is formed with a necked-down portion. An actuator of shape memory alloy material is mounted about the bolt. When energized by heat, the actuator expands and exerts a great force which stretches the bolt, permanently deforming the bolt. This enables limited movement of the components while still restraining them from separating.

US Patent:

7544257, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

May 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/588413

Inventors:

A. David Johnson - San Leandro CA, US
Michael Bokaie - San Leandro CA, US
Valery Martynov - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

TiNi Alloy Company - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

C22F 1/08

US Classification:

148562, 148563, 117 16, 117 25

Abstract:

Devices and methods of making devices having one or more components made of single crystal shape memory alloy capable of large recoverable distortions, defined herein as “hyperelastic” SMA. Recoverable Strains are as large as 9 percent, and in special circumstances as large as 22 percent. Hyperelastic SMAs exhibit no creep or gradual change during repeated cycling because there are no crystal boundaries. Hyperelastic properties are inherent in the single crystal as formed: no cold work or special heat treatment is necessary. Alloy components are Cu—Al—X where X may be Ni, Fe, Co, Mn. Single crystals are pulled from melt as in the Stepanov method and quenched by rapid cooling to prevent selective precipitation of individual elemental components. Conventional methods of finishing are used: milling, turning, electro-discharge machining, abrasion. Fields of application include aerospace, military, automotive, medical devices, microelectronics, and consumer products.

US Patent:

7632361, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Jan 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/041185

Inventors:

A. David Johnson - San Leandro CA, US
Michael Bokaie - San Rafael CA, US
Valery Martynov - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

TiNi Alloy Company - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

C22C 9/01

US Classification:

148402, 148435, 623 119

Abstract:

Devices and methods of making devices having one or more components made of single crystal shape memory alloy capable of large recoverable distortions, defined herein as “hyperelastic” SMA. Recoverable Strains are as large as 9 percent, and in special circumstances as large as 22 percent. Hyperelastic SMAs exhibit no creep or gradual change during repeated cycling because there are no crystal boundaries. Hyperelastic properties are inherent in the single crystal as formed: no cold work or special heat treatment is necessary. Alloy components are Cu—Al—X where X may be Ni, Fe, Co, Mn. Single crystals are pulled from melt as in the Stepanov method and quenched by rapid cooling to prevent selective precipitation of individual elemental components. Conventional methods of finishing are used: milling, turning, electro-discharge machining, abrasion. Fields of application include aerospace, military, automotive, medical devices, microelectronics, and consumer products.

US Patent:

7842143, Nov 30, 2010

Filed:

Dec 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/949663

Inventors:

Alfred David Johnson - San Leandro CA, US
Valery Martynov - San Francisco CA, US
Michael D. Bokaie - San Rafael CA, US
George R. Gray - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

TiNi Alloy Company - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

C22F 1/08

US Classification:

148562, 148563

Abstract:

Shape-setting methods for fabricating devices made of single crystal shape memory alloys. The method include drawing a single crystal of a shape memory alloy from a melt of the alloy. This is followed by heating and quenching the crystal sufficiently rapid to limit the formation of alloy precipitates to an amount which retains hyperelastic composition and properties of the crystal.

US Patent:

20080075557, Mar 27, 2008

Filed:

Sep 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/526138

Inventors:

A. David Johnson - San Leandro CA, US
Michael Bokaie - San Leandro CA, US
Valery Martynov - San Francisco CA, US

International Classification:

F16B 35/00

US Classification:

411392

Abstract:

Devices and methods for making fasteners, such as bolts, having one or more components made of single crystal shape memory alloy capable of large recoverable distortions, and in particular having a plateau in the stress-strain relationship. A constant load is applied by a bolt that is tightened until the force exerted by the bolt is equal to the stress multiplied by the cross-section of a tension component in the bolt. Increasing or decreasing the length of the tension component by as much as several percent causes a negligible change in the load.

US Patent:

20080213062, Sep 4, 2008

Filed:

Sep 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/859697

Inventors:

Alfred David Johnson - San Leandro CA, US
Michael D. Bokaie - San Rafael CA, US
Valery Martynov - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

TINI ALLOY COMPANY - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

F16B 31/04
F16B 35/02
F16B 29/00

US Classification:

411 145, 411395, 411392

Abstract:

Described herein are fasteners and devices for securing together several components so that the load applied to the components is constant or nearly constant. The fasteners described herein include a hyperelastic member having first end to which a first retainer is coupled and a second end to which a second retainer is coupled. The retainers are configured to contact the structures being fastened and transfer the load from the structures to the hyperelastic member. The hyperelastic member may be an elongate shaft (e.g., a rod, cylinder, strut, etc.), and is a shape memory alloy that is typically fabricated as a single crystal.

US Patent:

57717427, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Sep 11, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/526715

Inventors:

Michael D. Bokaie - Fremont CA
John D. Busch - San Jose CA
A. David Johnson - San Leandro CA
Bruce Petty - Dunsmuir CA

Assignee:

TiNi Alloy Company - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

B25G 318

US Classification:

74 2

Abstract:

A release mechanism employing an actuating element of a shape memory alloy material. When the actuating element is heated through its phase-change transition temperature it applies a force which moves a latch to a position which activates the higher energy stored in a drive spring for moving a retaining element out of engagement with a structure. A detent when in a captured position releasably holds the retaining element in its locked position, and the detent is moved from a captured position to a retracted position to release the retaining element when the latch is moved by the actuating element.