公开(公告)号：US20120216522A1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-30

申请号：US13340886

申请日：2011-12-30

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Christopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Wayne Brown

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Christopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Wayne Brown

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A thermal conduction element may be in direct contact with the SMA material, where the thermal conduction element is configured to receive thermal energy from the hot region and to transfer a portion of the received thermal energy to the SMA material through conduction.

摘要翻译： 用于将热能转换为机械能的能量收集系统包括使用形状记忆合金活性材料操作的热机。 形状记忆合金构件可以在第一温度的热区域和低于第一温度的第二温度的冷区域热连通。 形状记忆合金材料可以被配置为选择性地改变马氏体与奥氏体之间的结晶相，从而响应于第一和第二温度而收缩和膨胀。 导热元件可以与SMA材料直接接触，其中导热元件被配置为从热区域接收热能并且通过传导将接收的热能的一部分转移到SMA材料。

公开(公告)号：US07500704B2

公开(公告)日：2009-03-10

申请号：US11555288

申请日：2006-11-01

申请人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Robert E. Doty

发明人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Robert E. Doty

IPC分类号： B60R7/06 ,  B60K37/00

CPC分类号： E05B47/023 ,  B60R7/06 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B17/0058 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B47/0011 ,  E05B53/003 ,  E05B79/20 ,  E05B81/64 ,  E05B83/30 ,  E05F15/60 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/538 ,  G07C9/00912 ,  G07C9/00944

摘要： Accessing interior compartments for storage or other purposes is improved by the use of one or more active material components. Activating one or more active material components carries out one or more of the following functions: opening or closing the compartment (which may include cinching a closure) and/or latching or unlatching a closure from a frame. Activation may result from a remote trigger signal. A method is provided for controlling access to an interior compartment that may be carried out by a controller operatively connected to various active material components that unlatch the closure from the frame, close the closure and cinch the closure to the frame, respectively.

摘要翻译： 通过使用一种或多种活性材料组分来改善用于存储或其它目的的内部隔室。 激活一个或多个活性材料部件执行以下功能中的一个或多个：打开或关闭隔室（其可以包括闭合闭合件）和/或从框架锁定或解锁闭合件。 激活可能由远程触发信号引起。 提供了一种用于控制对内部隔间的通路的方法，所述方法可以由可操作地连接到各种活动材料部件的控制器执行，所述控制器分别将闭合件从框架上解开，闭合闭合件并将闭合件分别固定在框架上。

公开(公告)号：US20080100079A1

公开(公告)日：2008-05-01

申请号：US11555288

申请日：2006-11-01

申请人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Robert E. Doty

发明人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Robert E. Doty

IPC分类号： B60R7/00 ,  E05C7/04

CPC分类号： E05B47/023 ,  B60R7/06 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B17/0058 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B47/0011 ,  E05B53/003 ,  E05B79/20 ,  E05B81/64 ,  E05B83/30 ,  E05F15/60 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/538 ,  G07C9/00912 ,  G07C9/00944

摘要： Accessing interior compartments for storage or other purposes is improved by the use of one or more active material components. Activating one or more active material components carries out one or more of the following functions: opening or closing the compartment (which may include cinching a closure) and/or latching or unlatching a closure from a frame. Activation may result from a remote trigger signal. A method is provided for controlling access to an interior compartment that may be carried out by a controller operatively connected to various active material components that unlatch the closure from the frame, close the closure and cinch the closure to the frame, respectively.

摘要翻译： 通过使用一种或多种活性材料组分来改善用于存储或其它目的的内部隔室。 激活一个或多个活性材料部件执行以下功能中的一个或多个：打开或关闭隔室（其可以包括闭合闭合件）和/或从框架锁定或解锁闭合件。 激活可能由远程触发信号引起。 提供了一种用于控制对内部隔间的通路的方法，所述方法可以由可操作地连接到各种活动材料部件的控制器执行，所述控制器分别将闭合件从框架上解开，闭合闭合件并将闭合件分别固定在框架上。

公开(公告)号：US20120216525A1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-30

申请号：US13340897

申请日：2011-12-30

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Christopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Jeffrey W. Brown ,  Richard J. Skurkis

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Christopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Jeffrey W. Brown ,  Richard J. Skurkis

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： A shape memory alloy (SMA) heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley, a second rotatable pulley, and an SMA material disposed about the first and second rotatable pulleys and between a hot region and a cold region. A method of starting and operating the SMA heat engine includes detecting a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region using a controller, decoupling an electrical generator from one of the first and second rotatable pulleys, monitoring a speed of the SMA material about the first and second rotatable pulleys, and re-engaging the driven component if the monitored speed of the SMA material exceeds a threshold. The SMA material may selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and between the hot region and the cold region to convert the thermal gradient into mechanical energy.

摘要翻译： 形状记忆合金（SMA）热机包括第一可旋转滑轮，第二可旋转滑轮和围绕第一和第二可旋转滑轮设置的热材料区域与冷区域之间的SMA材料。 启动和操作SMA热机的方法包括使用控制器检测热区和冷区之间的热能梯度，将发电机与第一和第二可旋转滑轮中的一个相分离，监测SMA材料的速度约 第一和第二可旋转滑轮，并且如果SMA材料的监测速度超过阈值，则重新接合被驱动部件。 SMA材料可以选择性地改变马氏体和奥氏体之间以及热区域和冷区域之间的结晶相，以将热梯度转化为机械能。

公开(公告)号：US08550222B2

公开(公告)日：2013-10-08

申请号：US11839713

申请日：2007-08-16

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Andrew C. Keefe

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Andrew C. Keefe

IPC分类号： F16F9/53

CPC分类号： H01L41/12 ,  F16D28/00 ,  F16D65/14 ,  F16D69/00 ,  F16D2121/28 ,  H01L41/0986

摘要： A device for selectively controlling and varying a frictional force level at an interface between two bodies, includes a first contact body having at least one surface, a second contact body having at least one surface in physical communication with the first contact body, and an active material in operative communication with a selected one or both of the first contact body and the second contact body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in a property upon receipt of an activation signal wherein the change in a property is effective to change the frictional force level at the interface between the at least one surface of the first contact body and the at least one surface of the second contact body.

公开(公告)号：US08390305B2

公开(公告)日：2013-03-05

申请号：US13046748

申请日：2011-03-13

申请人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Sloan Smith

发明人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Sloan Smith

IPC分类号： G01R27/08

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  Y10T307/766

摘要： Systems for and methods of determining at least one mid-stroke position of an active material actuated load by causing a stress induced rapid change in electrical resistance within the active material element, or modifying an ancillary circuit, when the load is at the mid-stroke position(s).

摘要翻译： 用于确定活动材料致动负载的至少一个中间行程位置的系统和方法，当负载处于中间行程时，通过使应力引起活动材料元件内电阻的快速变化或修改辅助电路 职位。

公开(公告)号：US20120114778A1

公开(公告)日：2012-05-10

申请号：US13348653

申请日：2012-01-12

申请人： Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

发明人： Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC分类号： B29C59/02

CPC分类号： B29C59/02 ,  B29C59/18 ,  B44C1/00 ,  Y10T428/24446

摘要： Active texturing systems adapted for selectively and reversibly modifying the texture of a surface utilizing a variably foldable structure in communication with the surface, and active material actuation to enable and/or cause folding.

摘要翻译： 主动纹理系统适于利用与表面连通的可变折叠结构选择性地和可逆地修改表面纹理，以及活动材料致动以使得和/或引起折叠。

公开(公告)号：US08109042B2

公开(公告)日：2012-02-07

申请号：US11076434

申请日：2005-03-09

申请人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

发明人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC分类号： E06B3/00

CPC分类号： E06B7/2314 ,  B60J10/15 ,  B60J10/16 ,  B60J10/244 ,  B60J10/40 ,  B60J10/50 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B15/16 ,  E05B15/1607 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B47/0011 ,  E05B81/00 ,  E05B81/20 ,  E05C19/001 ,  E05C19/166 ,  E05F1/00 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2400/614 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/531 ,  E05Y2900/55 ,  F16J15/022 ,  F16J15/025 ,  F16J15/027 ,  F16J15/028 ,  F16J15/061 ,  F16J15/064 ,  F16J15/0806 ,  Y10S277/921 ,  Y10S292/65 ,  Y10T16/56 ,  Y10T292/11

摘要： Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors employ active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active materials actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, or a combination of modulus and shape in response to an activation signal. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

摘要翻译： 用于在门的主动密封组件中改变密封力的方法采用可被控制和远程改变以改变密封效果的活性材料，其中活性材料主动地改变模量特性，例如硬度，或响应于 激活信号。 以这种方式，在诸如车门应用的密封应用中，可以最小化门打开和关闭的努力，从而可以最大化密封效果。

公开(公告)号：US20080100071A1

公开(公告)日：2008-05-01

申请号：US11744966

申请日：2007-05-07

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Bahram Khalighi ,  Douglas M. Smick

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Bahram Khalighi ,  Douglas M. Smick

IPC分类号： E05F1/00

CPC分类号： B62D35/008 ,  B62D25/182 ,  B62D35/001 ,  Y10T292/702

摘要： A vehicle flow trip, includes a moveable body portion in physical communication with a vehicle body, and an actuator comprising an active material in operative communication with the vehicle body and the moveable body portion; wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in a property is effective to displace the moveable body portion from either an original position or a deployed position in an airflow stream to the other of the original or the deployed position through motion of the actuator.

摘要翻译： 车辆行驶中包括与车身物理连通的可动主体部分，以及包括与车体和可移动主体部分可操作地连通的活动材料的致动器; 其中所述活性材料在接收到激活信号时经历特性变化，其中所述特性的变化有效地使所述可移动主体部分从气流流中的原始位置或展开位置移动到所述原件的另一个 或通过致动器的运动展开位置。

公开(公告)号：US20130081933A1

公开(公告)日：2013-04-04

申请号：US13250317

申请日：2011-09-30

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

IPC分类号： H01H5/18 ,  H01L41/04 ,  H01L41/09 ,  F03G7/06

CPC分类号： H01L41/09 ,  F03G7/06 ,  G05G1/02 ,  G05G5/06 ,  H01H5/30 ,  H01L41/04 ,  H01L41/0926

摘要： A reconfigurable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable panel laterally disposed between and connected to one or more mounting members directly or indirectly connected to opposing ends of the panel, with the panel maintained under compressive force along at least one vector extending between the opposing ends. The compressive force deforms the panel into a one of two stable deformed positions, with the device disposed such that the panel may be moved between each of the two stable deformed positions by application of manual force to one of two opposing faces of the panel. A first shape memory alloy (SMA) or piezo actuator member is connected to the panel, the actuator member being capable of moving the panel from a first one of the two stable deformed positions to a second one of the two stable deformed positions.

摘要翻译： 可重构双稳态装置包括横向设置在直接或间接连接到面板的相对端的一个或多个安装构件之间并且连接到面板的相对端部之间并连接到面板的相对端部的弹性变形板，其中面板沿着在相对端之间延伸的至少一个矢量保持在压缩力 。 压缩力使面板变形为两个稳定的变形位置之一，其中该装置设置成使得面板可以通过对面板的两个相对面之一施加手动力而在两个稳定的变形位置中的每一个之间移动。 第一形状记忆合金（SMA）或压电致动器构件连接到面板，致动器构件能够将面板从两个稳定变形位置中的第一个移动到两个稳定变形位置中的第二个。