公开(公告)号：US10082215B2

公开(公告)日：2018-09-25

申请号：US15253160

申请日：2016-08-31

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC ,  DYNALLOY, INC.

Inventor： Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Bret M. Olson ,  Vijay A. Neelakantan ,  Tyler P. Ownby ,  James H. Brown

IPC: F16K17/38 ,  F16K31/00 ,  F16K1/12 ,  F03G7/06

CPC classification number: F16K31/002 ,  F03G7/065 ,  F16K1/12 ,  Y10T137/7737

Abstract: A fluid circuit includes a device, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a sealing member, a biasing device, and an actuator. The sealing member moves inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a smart material that is activated when the temperature of a fluid inside the housing exhibiting at least a first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the second position. The smart material is deactivated when the fluid is a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the device and then to the housing when the sealing member is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler and then to the device when the sealing member is in the second position.

公开(公告)号：US09976668B2

公开(公告)日：2018-05-22

申请号：US15245912

申请日：2016-08-24

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Xiujie Gao ,  Dongxu Li ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Ronald R. Semel

IPC: F16K17/38 ,  F16K31/00 ,  F16K11/07 ,  F16H57/04

CPC classification number: F16K31/002 ,  F16H57/0413 ,  F16K11/07 ,  Y10T137/7737 ,  Y10T137/86517

Abstract: A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.

公开(公告)号：US09957748B2

公开(公告)日：2018-05-01

申请号：US15061569

申请日：2016-03-04

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: E06B3/80 ,  E06B7/20 ,  E06B9/08 ,  B60J10/15 ,  E06B9/06

CPC classification number: E06B3/80 ,  B60J10/15 ,  E06B7/20 ,  E06B9/0692 ,  E06B9/08 ,  E06B2007/202

Abstract: A sealing assembly includes a door and a seal. The door includes a flexible body that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The seal is movable between an engaged position in which the seal is positioned in engagement with a portion of the flexible body when the flexible body is in the closed position and a disengaged position in which the seal moves away from the portion of the flexible body as the flexible body moves from the closed position to the open position such that the flexible body is spaced from the seal to minimize frictional engagement with the seal.

公开(公告)号：US09953781B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-24

申请号：US15134550

申请日：2016-04-21

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Richard J. Skurkis ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Dorel M. Sala ,  Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC: H01H37/32 ,  G01D11/24

CPC classification number: H01H37/323 ,  G01D11/245

Abstract: A resettable sensor assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and defining a cavity therein. The assembly includes a divider disposed within the cavity and in contact with the housing, at least one electrical contact disposed within the cavity and extending through the divider, and a pin reversibly translatable within the cavity along the axis. The assembly includes at least one actuator element disposed within the cavity and abutting the housing. The element is configured for translating the pin along the axis between a first position wherein the pin contacts the electrical contact and a second position wherein the pin is spaced apart from the electrical contact. The actuator element is formed from a shape memory alloy that is transitionable between an austenite crystallographic phase and a martensite crystallographic phase in response to a thermal activation signal to thereby translate the pin between the first and second positions.

公开(公告)号：US20180038400A1

公开(公告)日：2018-02-08

申请号：US15230630

申请日：2016-08-08

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame

IPC: F16B5/06 ,  B29C65/56 ,  B29C61/06

CPC classification number: F16B5/0657 ,  B29C61/0608 ,  B29C65/565 ,  B29C65/66 ,  B29C66/126 ,  B29C66/545 ,  B29C66/7311 ,  B29C66/73715 ,  B29C66/7392 ,  B29C66/7394 ,  B29K2995/0012 ,  B29K2995/0046 ,  B29K2995/0094 ,  B29L2031/7278 ,  F16B5/07

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes first and second components with mating protrusions including shape memory polymer protrusions with different shape configurations. The components are assembled by engaging the protrusions with a temporary shape configuration at a first level of retention force. The protrusions are heated above the transition temperature to recover a permanent shape configuration, and cooled to provide a second level of retention force at the permanent shape configuration.

公开(公告)号：US20170127532A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-04

申请号：US14931056

申请日：2015-11-03

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nicholas P. Irish ,  Michael P. Balogh ,  Daad B. Haddad

IPC: H05K3/34 ,  B23K35/362 ,  B23K35/36 ,  B23K1/19 ,  B23K1/20

CPC classification number: H05K3/3489 ,  B23K1/0016 ,  B23K1/19 ,  B23K1/203 ,  B23K3/025 ,  B23K3/027 ,  B23K3/047 ,  B23K3/082 ,  B23K35/3605 ,  B23K35/362 ,  B23K2101/42 ,  B23K2103/14 ,  B23K2103/18 ,  B23K2103/26 ,  H05K3/341 ,  H05K3/3457 ,  H05K2201/10287

Abstract: A method of soldering a shape memory alloy (SMA) element to a component includes positioning a tinned end of the SMA element with respect to a surface of the component, and then directly soldering the tinned end to the surface using solder material having a low liquidus temperature of 500° F. or less when an oxide layer is not present on the SMA element. The end may be soldered using lead-based solder material at a higher temperature when an oxide layer is present. The end may be tinned with flux material containing phosphoric acid or tin fluoride prior to soldering the SMA element. The SMA element may be submersed in an acid bath to remove the oxide layer. The solder material may contain tin and silver, antimony, or zinc, or other materials sufficient for achieving the low liquidus temperature. Heat penetrating the SMA element is controlled to protect shape memory abilities.

公开(公告)号：US09316212B2

公开(公告)日：2016-04-19

申请号：US13661063

申请日：2012-10-26

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: F01B29/00 ,  F03G7/06

CPC classification number: F03G7/065

Abstract: An actuation assembly adapted for driving a load and protecting against overloading and overheating conditions, includes an actuator defining a stroke when exposed to an activation signal, and further includes a protection device comprising a superelastic shape memory alloy element connected in series to and cooperatively configured with the actuator, and operable to both produce a secondary work output path for the actuator and discontinue the signal.

Abstract translation: 一种用于驱动负载并防止过载和过热状况的致动组件包括当暴露于激活信号时限定行程的致动器，并且还包括保护装置，该保护装置包括与弹性形状记忆合金元件串联连接并协同配置 致动器，并且可操作以产生用于致动器的次级工作输出路径并且中断该信号。

公开(公告)号：US20160076294A1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-17

申请号：US14487185

申请日：2014-09-16

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC ,  THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Jonathan E. Luntz ,  Alan W. Moyer ,  Diann Brei ,  Suhant Ranga ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: E05F5/02

CPC classification number: E05F5/022 ,  E05Y2800/678 ,  E05Y2800/68

Abstract: An adjustable bumper, adapted for supporting closure panels on a vehicle, is described. The bumper incorporates a shape memory polymer portion, which may be readily permanently reshaped by the steps of: heating above its transition temperature, deforming by application of a load, and cooling, while still under load, below its transition temperature. This behavior is exploited to enable adjustment of the adjustable bumper so that it may provide the desired closure panel support while accommodating vehicle to vehicle variations in the fit of the closure panel and the vehicle body.

Abstract translation: 描述了一种可调节的保险杠，适用于支撑车辆上的关闭面板。 保险杠结合了形状记忆聚合物部分，其可以通过以下步骤容易地永久地重新形成：加热超过其转变温度，通过施加负载变形，并且在仍处于负载状态下的冷却低于其转变温度。 这种行为被利用来实现可调整的缓冲器的调整，使得它可以提供所需的闭合面板支撑件，同时容纳车辆对车辆在闭合面板和车体的配合中的变化。

公开(公告)号：US20150323424A1

公开(公告)日：2015-11-12

申请号：US14271118

申请日：2014-05-06

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Alan L. Browne ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight

IPC: G01M99/00

CPC classification number: G01M99/007 ,  F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065 ,  G01M99/008 ,  G03B2205/0076

Abstract: A method of testing a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated device includes cyclically operating the device. The method further includes determining a number of cycles in a functional life of the device based on observations of the device during the cyclical operation. The functional life is a range of consecutive cycles of operation of the device beginning with a first cycle during which the device performs within a specified limit. The functional life is immediately followed by a cycle during which the device performs outside of the specified limit. The method still further includes applying a progressive substitution sub-process to identify an opportunity to increase the number of cycles in the functional life of the device.

Abstract translation: 测试形状记忆合金（SMA）致动装置的方法包括循环地操作该装置。 该方法还包括基于在周期性操作期间设备的观察来确定设备的功能寿命中的周期数。 功能寿命是器件从指定限制内​​执行的第一个周期开始的连续操作循环的范围。 功能寿命紧随其后的是设备执行超出规定限制的周期。 该方法还包括应用逐行替换子过程来识别增加设备的功能寿命中的循环次数的机会。

公开(公告)号：US20150233465A1

公开(公告)日：2015-08-20

申请号：US14612964

申请日：2015-02-03

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC ,  DYNALLOY, INC.

Inventor： Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Ronald R. Semel ,  James Holbrook Brown

IPC: F16H57/04 ,  F01P7/16 ,  F01M5/00

CPC classification number: F16H57/0413 ,  F01M5/007

Abstract: A transmission fluid circuit for regulating the flow of a fluid includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a spool, and an actuator including a smart material. The spool is movable inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The smart material is configured to be in an activated state in response to the fluid exhibiting at least a first temperature and to be in a deactivated state in response to the fluid being a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature. The fluid flows from the housing to the transmission and from the transmission to the housing when the spool is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler, from the cooler to the transmission, and from the transmission to the housing when the spool is in the second position.

Abstract translation: 用于调节流体流动的传动流体回路包括变速器，冷却器和阀。 阀包括壳体，线轴和包括智能材料的致动器。 线轴可在第一位置和第二位置之间在壳体内移动。 所述智能材料被配置为响应于所述流体呈现至少第一温度而处于激活状态，并响应于所述流体的足够数量小于所述第一温度而处于停用状态。 当阀芯处于第一位置时，流体从壳体流到变速器，并且从变速器流到壳体。 当阀芯处于第二位置时，流体从壳体流到冷却器，从冷却器流到变速器，并且从变速器流到壳体。