公开(公告)号：US09038983B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-26

申请号：US12913224

申请日：2010-10-27

申请人： Craig A. Kollar ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Shawn G. Quinn ,  Milind S. Gandhi ,  Scott R. Webb

发明人： Craig A. Kollar ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Shawn G. Quinn ,  Milind S. Gandhi ,  Scott R. Webb

IPC分类号： F16K31/00 ,  F16K31/02

CPC分类号： F16K31/025

摘要： A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a high voltage battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole. The plug assembly further includes a return spring coupled to the plug and causing the plug to be biased into the drain hole. The plug assembly also includes at least one shape memory alloy device coupled to the plug and a support structure. The SMA device receives an electrical current that causes the device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole against the bias of the return spring.

摘要翻译： 一种排水塞组件，其特别用于密封车辆上的高压电池舱中的排水孔。 插头组件包括插入到排水孔中的插头。 插头组件还包括联接到插头的复位弹簧并使插头偏置到排水孔中。 插头组件还包括耦合到插头和支撑结构的至少一个形状记忆合金装置。 SMA装置接收电流，导致装置收缩并抵抗回位弹簧的偏压将插头从排水孔移出。

公开(公告)号：US08741076B2

公开(公告)日：2014-06-03

申请号：US13177599

申请日：2011-07-07

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Wayne Brown

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Wayne Brown

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： A device and method for controlling a phase transformation temperature of a shape memory alloy is provided. The device includes a primary wire composed of the shape memory alloy. The primary wire defines first and second ends, the first end being attached to a fixed structure and the second end being able to displace. An activation source is thermally coupled to the wire and is operable to selectively cause the primary wire to reversibly transform from a Martensitic phase to an Austenitic phase during a cycle. A loading element is operatively connected to the primary wire and configured to selectively increase a tensile load on the primary wire when an ambient temperature is at or above a threshold temperature, thereby increasing the phase transformation temperature of the primary wire.

摘要翻译： 提供一种用于控制形状记忆合金的相变温度的装置和方法。 该装置包括由形状记忆合金构成的初级线。 主线限定第一端和第二端，第一端附接到固定结构，第二端能够移位。 激活源热耦合到导线，并且可操作地选择性地使主线在一个循环期间从马氏体相可逆地转变成奥氏体相。 负载元件可操作地连接到主线，并且被配置为当环境温度处于或高于阈值温度时选择性地增加主线上的拉伸负载，从而增加初级线的相变温度。

公开(公告)号：US20140060036A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-06

申请号：US13600337

申请日：2012-08-31

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F01P7/10 ,  F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating elements are commonly simpler and of lower mass than alternative actuator designs and may find particular application in the transportation industry. Such SMA-powered devices are usually reliable and long-lived but the phase transformations which occur in the SMA alloy and are responsible for its utility are not totally reversible. This irreversibility, a consequence of irrecoverable strain, may progressively degrade the long-term actuator performance as the irrecoverable strain accumulates over many operating cycles. Methods and devices for compensating for these effects and extending the useful cycle life of SMA actuators are described.

摘要翻译： 形状记忆合金（SMA）致动元件通常比替代致动器设计更简单并且质量更低，并且可以在运输行业中找到特定应用。 这种SMA供电的设备通常是可靠的和长寿命的，但SMA合金中发生的并且对其效用负责的相变不是完全可逆的。 这种不可逆转性是不可恢复的应变的结果，随着不可恢复的应变在许多操作循环中积累，可能逐渐降低长期致动器性能。 描述了用于补偿这些影响并延长SMA致动器的有用循环寿命的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US20120104292A1

公开(公告)日：2012-05-03

申请号：US12913224

申请日：2010-10-27

申请人： Craig A. Kollar ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Shawn G. Quinn ,  Milind S. Gandhi ,  Scott R. Webb

发明人： Craig A. Kollar ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Shawn G. Quinn ,  Milind S. Gandhi ,  Scott R. Webb

IPC分类号： F16K31/00

CPC分类号： F16K31/025

摘要： A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a high voltage battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole. The plug assembly further includes a return spring coupled to the plug and causing the plug to be biased into the drain hole. The plug assembly also includes at least one shape memory alloy device coupled to the plug and a support structure. The SMA device receives an electrical current that causes the device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole against the bias of the return spring.

摘要翻译： 一种排水塞组件，其特别用于密封车辆上的高压电池舱中的排水孔。 插头组件包括插入到排水孔中的插头。 插头组件还包括联接到插头的复位弹簧并使插头偏置到排水孔中。 插头组件还包括耦合到插头和支撑结构的至少一个形状记忆合金装置。 SMA装置接收电流，导致装置收缩并抵抗回位弹簧的偏压将插头从排水孔移出。

公开(公告)号：US08446065B2

公开(公告)日：2013-05-21

申请号：US12979365

申请日：2010-12-28

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Jan H. Aase ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Xiujie Gao

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Jan H. Aase ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC分类号： H01L41/08

CPC分类号： F15B15/10 ,  F03G7/065 ,  F15B2015/208

摘要： A tubular actuator including a flexible tube or roll, operable to shift between first and second configurations so as to define a stroke, and utilizing active material activation to produce, modify, and/or retain the stroke.

摘要翻译： 一种管状致动器，包括柔性管或辊，可操作以在第一和第二构型之间移动以限定行程，并且利用活性材料活化来产生，修改和/或保留冲程。

公开(公告)号：US20130000776A1

公开(公告)日：2013-01-03

申请号：US13173276

申请日：2011-06-30

申请人： Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Scott R. Webb

发明人： Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Scott R. Webb

IPC分类号： B65B31/00 ,  F16K31/00 ,  C22C33/00

CPC分类号： F16K17/0493 ,  B60C23/0494 ,  B60C29/002 ,  F16K17/046

摘要： A device is provided that may be adapted to control or monitor the pressure level of a fluid system. The device includes a member composed of a shape memory alloy in a superelastic state. The member is configured to undergo a phase change from a high modulus Austenitic phase to a low modulus Martensitic phase and stretch in response to an activation stress. In one embodiment, the member defines two ends such that one end of the member is operatively connected to a fixed point. Another end of the member is operatively connected to a movable element. As the member stretches in response to the activation stress, the movable element is translated relative to the fixed point. In another embodiment, the member includes two plates with respective holes that are selectively aligned when the first and second plates stretch or deform in response to the activation stress.

摘要翻译： 提供了可适于控制或监测流体系统的压力水平的装置。 该装置包括由超弹性状态的形状记忆合金构成的构件。 构件被配置为经历从高模量奥氏体相到低模量马氏体相的相变，并响应于活化应力而拉伸。 在一个实施例中，构件限定两个端部，使得构件的一端可操作地连接到固定点。 构件的另一端可操作地连接到可移动元件。 随着构件响应于激活应力而延伸，可移动元件相对于固定点平移。 在另一个实施例中，该构件包括具有相应孔的两个板，当第一和第二板响应于激活应力而拉伸或变形时，其具有选择性对准。

公开(公告)号：US20110050148A1

公开(公告)日：2011-03-03

申请号：US12546857

申请日：2009-08-25

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Lei Hao ,  Ke Dong

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Lei Hao ,  Ke Dong

IPC分类号： G05D15/01 ,  H02N10/00

CPC分类号： H01L41/1132 ,  H01L41/125

摘要： An active material actuator adapted for use in a circuit includes an active material member, and a piezoelectric or piezoresistive element or otherwise force sensing device, wherein the element or device is communicatively coupled to the member and operable to vary the current within the circuit when the member is caused to achieve a predetermined stress, such that, in one aspect, the element presents an overload protection mechanism.

摘要翻译： 适于在电路中使用的活性材料致动器包括活性材料构件和压电或压阻元件或其他力感测装置，其中元件或装置可通信地耦合到构件并且可操作以在电路内改变电流时 导致构件达到预定的应力，使得在一个方面，元件具有过载保护机构。

公开(公告)号：US09358956B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-07

申请号：US13167070

申请日：2011-06-23

申请人： Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Scott R. Webb ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Wendell G. Summerville ,  John A. Cafeo

发明人： Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Scott R. Webb ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Wendell G. Summerville ,  John A. Cafeo

IPC分类号： B60S1/38

CPC分类号： B60S1/38 ,  B60S1/3801 ,  B60S1/3848 ,  B60S1/40 ,  B60S2001/3827 ,  B60S2001/3829 ,  B60S2001/3836

摘要： A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length, and an active material disposed along the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material includes a shape memory alloy material with a crystallographic phase that is changeable between austenite and martensite, and is elastically deformable and operatively applies a spring force against a portion of the wiper blade when the crystallographic phase is martensite.

摘要翻译： 车辆刮水器组件包括具有长度的刮水片和沿着刮水片的长度设置并与之连接的活性材料。 活性材料包括具有可在奥氏体和马氏体之间变化的结晶相的形状记忆合金材料，并且当结晶相是马氏体时，可弹性变形并且可操作地将弹簧力施加到刮片的一部分上。

公开(公告)号：US08534064B2

公开(公告)日：2013-09-17

申请号：US12639823

申请日：2009-12-16

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  James Holbrook Brown ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  James Holbrook Brown ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  B01F7/02 ,  B01F15/00487

摘要： A vehicle includes a fluid mixing system. The fluid mixing system includes a fluid and a heat engine. The fluid has a first fluid region at a first temperature and a second fluid region at a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The heat engine includes a shape-memory alloy disposed in heat exchange contact with each of the first fluid region and the second fluid region. The heat engine is operable to mix the fluid between the first fluid region and the second fluid region in response to a change in the crystallographic phase of the shape-memory alloy to reduce the difference in the composition of the fluid bath between the first fluid region and the second fluid region.

摘要翻译： 车辆包括流体混合系统。 流体混合系统包括流体和热力发动机。 流体具有在第一温度下的第一流体区域和与第一温度不同的第二温度的第二流体区域。 热机包括与第一流体区域和第二流体区域中的每一个热交换接触的形状记忆合金。 热引擎可操作以响应于形状记忆合金的晶体相的变化来混合第一流体区域和第二流体区域之间的流体，以减少第一流体区域和第二流体区域之间的流体槽的组成的差异 和第二流体区域。

公开(公告)号：US20130011806A1

公开(公告)日：2013-01-10

申请号：US13177599

申请日：2011-07-07

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Wayne Brown

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Wayne Brown

IPC分类号： F27D19/00

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： A device and method for controlling a phase transformation temperature of a shape memory alloy is provided. The device includes a primary wire composed of the shape memory alloy. The primary wire defines first and second ends, the first end being attached to a fixed structure and the second end being able to displace. An activation source is thermally coupled to the wire and is operable to selectively cause the primary wire to reversibly transform from a Martensitic phase to an Austenitic phase during a cycle. A loading element is operatively connected to the primary wire and configured to selectively increase a tensile load on the primary wire when an ambient temperature is at or above a threshold temperature, thereby increasing the phase transformation temperature of the primary wire.

摘要翻译： 提供一种用于控制形状记忆合金的相变温度的装置和方法。 该装置包括由形状记忆合金构成的初级线。 主线限定第一端和第二端，第一端附接到固定结构，第二端能够移位。 激活源热耦合到导线，并且可操作地选择性地使主线在一个循环期间从马氏体相可逆地转变成奥氏体相。 负载元件可操作地连接到主线，并且被配置为当环境温度处于或高于阈值温度时选择性地增加主线上的拉伸负载，从而增加初级线的相变温度。