Metal hydride actuator
0301221-99
[DEFINITION]
An actuator that uses hydrogen storage alloys.
[DESCRIPTION]
The metal hydride actuator performs mechanical work using the
pressure changes of the absorbed or released hydrogen gas or the volume changes of the alloy itself.
Characteristics of the metal hydride actuator include: 1) a generating force that can be controlled
by temperature, 2) a high power-to-volume ratio, and 3) the ability to develop a system over a wide
operating temperature range by selection of the alloy material. However, one problem is slow
response. One development example introduces hydrogen gas in two pairs of metal-hydride-reaction
pressure containers in the form of microcapsules into a hydraulic cylinder containing silicon oil to
drive a piston. Another example uses warm and cold water provided from an external source to drive
a piston in a cylinder filled with hydrogen gas.
[References]
(4)(6)
[Related Terms]
Actuator