A Self-Regulating Device Passively Activated by an SMA for Solar Responsive Shading

This paper presents an SMA operated device that passively converts thermal-to-mechanical energy to operate shading blinds on the façades of glazed buildings to selectively mitigate the risk of excessive solar gains that can lead to overheating. The device operates two rotational states to provide either shading under direct sunlight or daylight under overcast conditions. The device duty-cycles when the SMA actuator is passively heated by solar radiation.