The paper presents the design equations for an on-off shape memory alloy actuator under an arbitrary system of external constant forces. A binary SMA actuator is considered where a cursor is moved against both conservative and dissipative force which may be different during the push or pull phase. Three cases are analyzed and differentiated in the way the bias force is applied to the primary SMA spring, using a constant force, a traditional spring, or a second SMA spring. Closed-form dimensionless design equations are developed, which form the basis of a step-by-step procedure for an optimal design of the whole actuator.
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