Consumer/Home/Recreation
Memory Golf Clubs
Being in the swing of things is only one consequence of products using
technology commercialized by Memry® Corporation of Brookfield, Connecticut.
Incorporating proprietary shape memory alloys, a new line of golf wedges
and putters has been developed.
Memry Corporation's investigation of shape memory effect (SME) stems
from Marshall Space Flight Center contracts to study materials for the
space station. SME is a property of certain metal alloys that can change
from shape to shape depending on temperature fluctuations. Starting in
the late 1980s and early 1990s, Memry made use of its NASA-spurred expertise
to create a line of home and industrial safety products.
| Properties of metal alloys studied for
the Space Station program have sparked a new line of golf clubs. Shape
memory metal gives the most seasoned golfer new control and feel. |
A proprietary, high-damping shape memory alloy called Zeemet® has
been developed by Memry specifically for the golf industry. The Nicklaus
Golf Equipment Company of West Palm Beach, Florida has created a new line
of golf clubs using Zeemet inserts.
The value of applying shape memory metal into golf club inserts is twofold:
its superelastic and high damping attributes. For the avid golfer, that
translates into more spin on the ball, greater control and a solid feel.
Upon closer examination, the club insert basically undergoes a split
second change in its metallurgical structure upon impact with the golf
ball. This elastic property keeps the ball on the club face longer. That
supplies more spin to the ball but not at the expense of distance. More
"bite" on the fairway is every golfer's desire.
The science of shape memory has permitted Memry Corporation to generate
an assortment of commercial sales.
For instance, McDonnell Douglas of St. Louis, Missouri and Memry signed
a contract in February 1996 to develop a unique control surface for helicopter
blades. Memry is designing and manufacturing small microprocessor -controlled
tabs for the trailing edges of the helicopter blades. By controlling the
tabs, a pilot can fine tune each blade for improved performance and reduced
vibration. The actuation that provides the tab motion is a shape memory
alloy torsion device.
| Jack Nicklaus insert wedges using shape
memory metal offers vibration damping qualities that make a real difference
on the golf course. |
Memry's Super-Elastic Nitinol materials have many application within
the medical equipment industry. As a binary nickel-titanium alloy, Nitinol
can accommodate large strain deformations and spring back to their original
shape when stress is removed. This element, therefore, is suitable for
catheter guide wires, lesion localizers, suture anchors and dental arch
wires.
Other Memry products already available to the consumer include MemrySafe®,
an anti-scald product; UltraValve®, a temperature selection and control
system for baths and showers; and FireChek®, a reusable fire safety
valve for industrial facilities.
MemrySafe is built around the ability to instantly restrict water flow
in shower or sinks before scalding. Compris ing a memory metal alloy, a
patented valve reacts to temperature, not pressure. The unit can sense
hazardous scalding water, reducing the flow of hot water to a trickle.
When the scalding temperature drops to a less dangerous level, the unit
automatically resumes normal flow.
UltraValve is a touch-of-the-button bathing feature. With the press
of a button, water can be turned on or off, with water temperature selected
according to personal preference. Exact water temperature is displayed
at every moment on a user-friendly control panel. This "smart bathing"
system also protects its user from scalding water.
FireChek provides for emergency shut down of process control lines that
handle flammable and toxic fluids and gases. This product can be applied
to any pneumatically-operated process value. If excessive heat is sensed
by the shape memory element, the system immediately vents the pneumatic
actuator pressure. This closes the supply line. FireChek is suitable for
process industries such as petrochemical, chemical, semiconductor, pharmaceutical
and large oil and gas fired boilers.
® Memry, MemrySafe, UltraValve, FireChek, and Zeemet are registered
trademarks of Memry Corporation.
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