Model P5-108-2R

The fail safe actuator was jointly developed by TiNi Aerospace and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena CA), to be used as part of a rotating calibration mirror mechanism aboard the MIRO instrument. The unit incorporates redundant Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires as the means to de-couple the Aperture Cover Window from the drive mechanism in the event of a motor failure.  The configuration shown epitomizes the advantages of using SMA’s for such critical applications. Namely, the actuator is small in size and weight, generates significant force, and does not pose any outgassing concerns to sensitive instruments.
 

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