公开(公告)号：US10233571B1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-19

申请号：US15854254

申请日：2017-12-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

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

IPC: H04B3/36 ,  D03D1/00 ,  G06F3/01 ,  G06F3/044

Abstract: A textile assembly includes a knitted or woven textile panel of non-conductive fibers, and defines a first delimited area. A first conductive filament is knitted or woven into the textile panel in the first delimited area, and is arranged to form an electronic device, such as a sensor or a switch, in the first delimited area. The textile assembly may further include a third conductive filament that is knitted or woven into the textile panel in a second delimited area. The third conductive filament is arranged to form a second electronic device, such as a sensor or a switch, in the second delimited area. A controller may use a signal from the first electronic device and the second electronic device to execute a function, such as generate a pressure map of the textile panel.

公开(公告)号：US20180142999A1

公开(公告)日：2018-05-24

申请号：US15359860

申请日：2016-11-23

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC: G01B7/16 ,  G01N25/02

CPC classification number: G01N25/02 ,  G01M99/00

Abstract: A method of testing a SMA element includes connecting the SMA element to a validation tool, and applying an electrical current to the SMA element over a test cycle. A resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is measured, while the electrical current is being applied. The measured resistance of the SMA element during the test cycle is correlated to an estimated strain value of the SMA element during the test cycle. A temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated. A stress in the SMA element during the test cycle is estimated from a stress predicting grid, using the estimated strain value and the estimated temperature of the SMA element during the test cycle. The proper functionality of the SMA element may be determined based on the estimated stress in the SMA element.

公开(公告)号：US09732736B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-15

申请号：US14226875

申请日：2014-03-27

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Lei Hao ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC: H02N2/00 ,  F03G7/06

CPC classification number: F03G7/065 ,  H02N2/0075

Abstract: A system for controlling an active material actuator includes an active material actuator configured to actuate when energized, a power supply configured to supply electrical power, and a control circuitry including a plurality of circuits and configured to selectively establish an electrical connection between the active material actuator and the power supply upon receipt of an activation signal. The control circuitry is configured to de-energize at least one of the circuits when no activation signal is received by the control circuitry in order to minimize parasitic current drawn from the power supply.

公开(公告)号：US20170229990A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-10

申请号：US15016990

申请日：2016-02-05

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Xiujie Gao ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC: H02P25/06 ,  F03G7/06

CPC classification number: H02P25/06 ,  F03G7/065

Abstract: A slack compensator includes a stator fixedly attachable to a base and a shuttle. The shuttle is selectably movable from a first position on the stator to a second position on the stator. The shuttle is selectably releasably attached to the stator in the first position. The shuttle is to be permanently captured upon reaching the second position. The slack compensator is attachable to an SMA wire for removing slack that develops in the SMA wire during a plurality of break-in cycles.

公开(公告)号：US09623811B2

公开(公告)日：2017-04-18

申请号：US14168457

申请日：2014-01-30

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

Inventor： Paul W. Alexander ,  Debbie E Nachtegall ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Scott R. Webb ,  James Ryan Yates ,  James Holbrook Brown ,  Aragorn Zolno

IPC: H04N7/18 ,  B60R11/04 ,  B60R11/00

CPC classification number: B60R11/04 ,  B60R2011/004 ,  B60R2011/0094

Abstract: A deployable camera system for a vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein, and a camera including a housing having an exterior surface. The camera is reversibly transitionable between a stowed position in which the camera is recessed into the cavity and the exterior surface is substantially flush with the body, and a deployed position wherein the camera protrudes from the cavity and the exterior surface is not substantially flush with the body. The deployable camera system includes a first shape memory alloy element transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a first thermal activation signal.

公开(公告)号：US20160314918A1

公开(公告)日：2016-10-27

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.

Abstract translation: 可复位传感器组件包括具有纵向轴线并在其中限定空腔的壳体。 组件包括设置在空腔内并与壳体接触的分隔件，设置在空腔内并延伸通过分隔件的至少一个电触头，以及沿着轴线在空腔内可逆地平移的销。 组件包括至少一个致动器元件，其设置在腔体内并邻接壳体。 所述元件被配置为在所述销接触所述电触点的第一位置和所述销与所述电触点间隔开的第二位置之间沿所述轴平移所述销。 致动器元件由形状记忆合金形成，该形状记忆合金可响应于热激活信号在奥氏体晶相和马氏体晶相之间转变，从而在第一和第二位置之间转换销。

公开(公告)号：US20160313189A1

公开(公告)日：2016-10-27

申请号：US15134544

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: G01K1/14 ,  H05K5/02 ,  H05K7/14

CPC classification number: G01K5/483 ,  H01H37/323

Abstract: A resettable sensor assembly includes a body having a axis and defining a cavity therein. The body includes a first plurality of threads disposed about the axis. The assembly includes a housing mated to the body and including at least one electrical contact. The assembly further includes a plate. The assembly also includes an actuator element configured for translating the plate along the axis between a first position in which the plate contacts the at least one electrical contact and a second position in which the plate is spaced apart from the at least one electrical contact. The 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 plate between the first position and the second position.

Abstract translation: 可复位传感器组件包括具有轴线并在其中限定空腔的主体。 主体包括绕轴线设置的第一多个螺纹。 组件包括与主体配合并且包括至少一个电触点的壳体。 组件还包括板。 该组件还包括致动器元件，该致动器元件构造成用于在第一位置和第二位置之间沿着该轴线平移板，该第一位置中板接触至少一个电触点和第二位置，其中板与至少一个电触点间隔开。 该元件由形状记忆合金形成，该形状记忆合金可响应于热激活信号在奥氏体晶相和马氏体晶相之间转变，从而在第一位置和第二位置之间平移板。

公开(公告)号：US20160265271A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-15

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: E06B7/205 ,  E06B7/215

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.

Abstract translation: 密封组件包括门和密封件。 门包括可在打开位置和关闭位置之间移动的柔性主体。 密封件可在接合位置之间移动，在接合位置中，当柔性体处于关闭位置时，密封件定位成与柔性体的一部分接合，并且其中密封件远离柔性体的部分移动的脱离位置， 柔性体从关闭位置移动到打开位置，使得柔性体与密封件间隔开，以最小化与密封件的摩擦接合。

公开(公告)号：US20160208955A1

公开(公告)日：2016-07-21

申请号：US14995792

申请日：2016-01-14

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Scott R. Webb ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Richard J. Skurkis

IPC: F16K99/00 ,  F16K31/00

CPC classification number: B60S1/52 ,  F16K11/0716 ,  F16K31/025

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a shuttle reversibly translatable with respect to an axis. The shuttle defines an at least first outlet port, an at least second outlet port spaced apart from the at least first outlet port, and an inlet port. The valve assembly includes an actuator configured for translating the shuttle with respect to the axis between a first position in which the at least first outlet port and the inlet port are disposed in fluid communication, and a second position in which the at least second outlet port and the inlet port are disposed in fluid communication. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a thermal activation signal. A washer system, a device, and a method of alternately washing one of a first component and a second component of the device are disclosed.

Abstract translation: 阀组件包括相对于轴可逆地平移的梭子。 穿梭器限定至少第一出口端口，与至少第一出口端口间隔开的至少第二出口端口和入口端口。 所述阀组件包括致动器，所述致动器构造成用于相对于所述轴线在第一位置和第二位置之间平移所述梭，所述第一位置中所述至少第一出口端口和所述入口端口处于流体连通状态，所述第二位置中所述至少第二出口 并且入口端口被设置成流体连通。 所述致动器由形状记忆合金形成，所述形状记忆合金响应于热激活信号而在第一状态和第二状态之间可转变。 公开了一种洗涤器系统，装置和交替地洗涤该装置的第一部件和第二部件之一的方法。

公开(公告)号：US09290979B1

公开(公告)日：2016-03-22

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。