摘要:
Vehicle air dams that include an airflow control member and an active material based actuator for deploying the airflow control member so as to change airflow about the vehicle.
摘要:
A haptic alert system generally includes an active material based actuator for providing the haptic alert. The active material based actuators refer to the use of several different classes of active materials all of which exhibit a change in at least one attribute such as dimension, shape, and/or flexural modulus when subjected to at least one of many different types of applied activation signals, examples of such signals being thermal, electrical, magnetic, stress, and the like.
摘要:
A volume-filling mechanical structure comprising a honeycomb celled material expandable from a compact state to an expanded state and methods for operating the same.
摘要:
Reconfigurable structures include at least one hub, a plurality of arms attached to and extending from the at least one hub, wherein at least a portion of the arm and/or hub defines a node and is formed of an active material. The active material is adapted to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein the change in the at least one attribute changes a modulus property, a shape orientation, or a combination of the modulus property change and the shape orientation change to the active material portion. The plurality of arms and at least one hub can form a reconfigurable opening for attaching and releasing a member. Alternatively, the plurality of arms and/or hub can further include a connector for attaching an additional structure. Also disclosed herein are methods for selectively reconfiguring a structure.
摘要:
A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component.
摘要:
A method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer upon a first surface; wherein the active device is operative to change at least one physical attribute in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to substantially decrease its modulus, contacting and compressing the active device with a second surface, and cooling the device to set a compressed geometry. In another embodiment, a method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer in a gap between two opposing surfaces; wherein the active device is operative to exhibit a memorized shape in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to increase a dimension of the active device; filling the gap between the opposing surfaces, and cooling the device to set a new gap filling dimension.
摘要:
Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a locking device 11 in operative communication with a piston 3, wherein the locking device 11 comprises an active material operative to resist motion of the piston 3 in response to an activation signal. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in mechanical communication with a piston 3; activating an active material in operative communication with the piston 3; and controlling the motion of the suspended body 60.
摘要:
A seat assembly includes a seat fabric, wherein at least a portion of the seat fabric comprises a yarn comprising a shape memory polymer adapted to undergo a change in a modulus of elasticity at a thermal transition temperature; a support material upon which the seat fabric is disposed; and a controller in operative communication with the shape memory polymer, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply a thermal activation signal to the shape memory polymer to effect a change in the modulus of elasticity of the shape memory polymer, wherein the change in the modulus of elasticity of the shape memory polymer results in a change in a stiffness and/or flexibility of the seat fabric.
摘要:
Disclosed herein is a reconfigurable tool for use in a mold comprising an active element that comprises an active material, wherein the active element upon activation is operative to permit insertion or removal of the reconfigurable tool from an opening in the mold or a molded part. Disclosed herein too is method for using a reconfigurable tool during a molding operation comprising pouring a molten polymeric resin, metal, ceramic, or a combination comprising a molten polymeric resin, metal or ceramic into a mold that comprises a reconfigurable tool, wherein the reconfigurable tool comprises an active element that is activated upon the application of an external stimulus; and activating the active element.
摘要:
Disclosed herein is a morphable molding comprising an active material in operative communication with a surface of the molding, wherein activation of the active material by an external stimulus is operative to change the shape of the molding. Disclosed herein too is a method of changing the shape of a molding comprising activating an active material that is in operative communication with the molding; changing the shape, dimensions and/or stiffness of the active material; and changing the shape, dimensions and/or stiffness of the molding.