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：US09236207B2

公开(公告)日：2016-01-12

申请号：US13250248

申请日：2011-09-30

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

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

IPC分类号： F03G7/06 ,  H01H37/32 ,  E05B47/00

CPC分类号： H01H37/323 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： A deformable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable member having at least two stable configurations and capable of being deformed from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration, the element passing through an unstable configuration as it is deformed from the first stable configuration to the second stable configuration, and a shape memory polymer layer on or in the elastically deformable member. A method of using this device includes heating the shape memory polymer to a temperature sufficient to reduce the modulus of the shape memory polymer, deforming the deformable member to move from one of the first and second stable configurations to another of the first and second stable configurations, and cooling the device to a temperature sufficient to increase the modulus of the shape memory polymer.

摘要翻译： 一种可变形的双稳态装置包括具有至少两个稳定构造并且能够从第一稳定构型变形到第二稳定构型的可弹性变形构件，该元件在从第一稳定构型变形时穿过不稳定构型， 第二稳定构型和可弹性变形构件上或其中的形状记忆聚合物层。 使用该装置的方法包括将形状记忆聚合物加热到足以降低形状记忆聚合物的模量的温度，使可变形构件变形从第一和第二稳定构型中的一个移动到第一和第二稳定构型中的另一个 ，并将该装置冷却到足以增加形状记忆聚合物的模量的温度。

公开(公告)号：US08853916B2

公开(公告)日：2014-10-07

申请号：US13250317

申请日：2011-09-30

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

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

IPC分类号： H01L41/09 ,  G05G5/06 ,  G05G1/02 ,  H01H5/30

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。

公开(公告)号：US08607562B2

公开(公告)日：2013-12-17

申请号：US13340955

申请日：2011-12-30

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  James Ryan Yates

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  James Ryan Yates

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： A heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley and a second rotatable pulley spaced from the first rotatable pulley. A shape memory alloy (SMA) element is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at an SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element includes first spring coil and a first fiber core within the first spring coil. A timing cable is disposed about disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at a timing pulley ratio, which is different than the SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element converts a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region into mechanical energy.

摘要翻译： 热引擎包括与第一可旋转滑轮间隔开的第一可旋转滑轮和第二可旋转滑轮。 形状记忆合金（SMA）元件以SMA滑轮比围绕滑轮的各个部分设置。 SMA元件包括第一弹簧线圈和第一弹簧线圈内的第一纤芯。 定时电缆以与SMA滑轮比不同的正时皮带轮比设置在绕滑轮的各个部分周围设置。 SMA元件将热区域和冷区域之间的热能梯度转换为机械能。

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：US07823382B2

公开(公告)日：2010-11-02

申请号：US11501405

申请日：2006-08-09

申请人： Ukpai I. Ukpai ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

发明人： Ukpai I. Ukpai ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F01B7/20

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  H02N2/02 ,  H02N2/021 ,  H02N2/101

摘要： An active material actuator assembly is provided having first and second active material components operatively connected to a movable member. Movement of the movable member is modulated, which may be due to activation of the first and second active material components being at least partially temporally distinct or the active material components differing in at least one characteristic affecting movement.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种活性材料致动器组件，其具有可操作地连接到可移动构件的第一和第二活性材料部件。 可移动构件的运动被调制，这可能是由于第一和第二活性材料组分的活化至少部分地在时间上不同或活性材料组分在至少一个影响运动的特征中不同。

公开(公告)号：US20130081389A1

公开(公告)日：2013-04-04

申请号：US13250248

申请日：2011-09-30

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

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

IPC分类号： F01B29/10

CPC分类号： H01H37/323 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： A deformable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable member having at least two stable configurations and capable of being deformed from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration, the element passing through an unstable configuration as it is deformed from the first stable configuration to the second stable configuration, and a shape memory polymer layer on or in the elastically deformable member. A method of using this device includes heating the shape memory polymer to a temperature sufficient to reduce the modulus of the shape memory polymer, deforming the deformable member to move from one of the first and second stable configurations to another of the first and second stable configurations, and cooling the device to a temperature sufficient to increase the modulus of the shape memory polymer.

摘要翻译： 一种可变形的双稳态装置包括具有至少两个稳定构造并且能够从第一稳定构型变形到第二稳定构型的可弹性变形构件，该元件在从第一稳定构型变形时穿过不稳定构型， 第二稳定构型和可弹性变形构件上或其中的形状记忆聚合物层。 使用该装置的方法包括将形状记忆聚合物加热到足以降低形状记忆聚合物的模量的温度，使可变形构件变形从第一和第二稳定构型中的一个移动到第一和第二稳定构型中的另一个 ，并将该装置冷却到足以增加形状记忆聚合物的模量的温度。

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：US20080034749A1

公开(公告)日：2008-02-14

申请号：US11501405

申请日：2006-08-09

申请人： Ukpai I. Ukpai ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

发明人： Ukpai I. Ukpai ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

IPC分类号： F01B29/10

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  H02N2/02 ,  H02N2/021 ,  H02N2/101

摘要： An active material actuator assembly is provided having first and second active material components operatively connected to a movable member. Movement of the movable member is modulated, which may be due to activation of the first and second active material components being at least partially temporally distinct or the active material components differing in at least one characteristic affecting movement.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种活性材料致动器组件，其具有可操作地连接到可移动构件的第一和第二活性材料部件。 可移动构件的运动被调制，这可能是由于第一和第二活性材料组分的活化至少部分地在时间上不同或活性材料组分在至少一个影响运动的特征中不同。

公开(公告)号：US08793993B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-05

申请号：US12947914

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component configured to be driven by operation of the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first member, a second member, a shape memory alloy material, and a tensioner. The second member is spaced from the first member. The shape memory alloy material operatively interconnects the first member and the second member. The shape memory alloy material is configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and thereby contract in response to exposure to a first temperature. The shape memory alloy material is also configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and thereby expand in response to exposure to a second temperature. The tensioner is configured to apply tension to the shape memory alloy material as the shape memory alloy material selectively expands and contracts such that the shape memory alloy material is taut.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热引擎和构造成由热机的操作驱动的部件。 热机包括第一构件，第二构件，形状记忆合金材料和张紧器。 第二构件与第一构件间隔开。 形状记忆合金材料可操作地将第一构件和第二构件相互连接。 形状记忆合金材料构造成选择性地将结晶相从马氏体转变为奥氏体，从而响应于暴露于第一温度而收缩。 形状记忆合金材料还被配置为选择性地将结晶相从奥氏体转变为马氏体，从而响应于暴露于第二温度而膨胀。 张紧器构造成当形状记忆合金材料选择性地膨胀和收缩使得形状记忆合金材料拉紧时，向形状记忆合金材料施加张力。