公开(公告)号：US20060186126A1

公开(公告)日：2006-08-24

申请号：US11357901

申请日：2006-02-17

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nilesh Mankame ,  Nancy Johnson

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nilesh Mankame ,  Nancy Johnson

IPC分类号： B65D6/28

CPC分类号： B60N3/106 ,  B29C61/00 ,  B29C61/02 ,  B29C61/0608 ,  C22F1/006 ,  F03G7/065

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.

公开(公告)号：US20060028051A1

公开(公告)日：2006-02-09

申请号：US10913691

申请日：2004-08-06

申请人： Diann Brei ,  John Redmond ,  Nathan Wilmot ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Gary Jones

发明人： Diann Brei ,  John Redmond ,  Nathan Wilmot ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Gary Jones

IPC分类号： B60R25/10

CPC分类号： E05B77/08 ,  B60R21/38 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05F15/60 ,  E05F15/72 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/536

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.

公开(公告)号：US20050272211A1

公开(公告)日：2005-12-08

申请号：US11147658

申请日：2005-06-08

申请人： Alan Browne ,  John Cafeo ,  Nancy Johnson

发明人： Alan Browne ,  John Cafeo ,  Nancy Johnson

IPC分类号： B60J10/00 ,  F16J15/06 ,  H01L21/336

CPC分类号： B60J10/00 ,  B60J10/15 ,  F16J15/068

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.

摘要翻译： 一种方法，包括将包含形状记忆聚合物的活性装置设置在第一表面上; 其中所述有源装置可操作以响应于热激活信号而改变至少一个物理属性; 用热激活信号激活有源器件，以大幅降低其模数，用第二表面接触和压缩有源器件，并冷却器件以设置压缩几何形状。 在另一个实施方案中，一种方法包括将包含形状记忆聚合物的活性器件设置在两个相对表面之间的间隙中; 其中所述有源装置可操作以响应于热激活信号呈现存储形状; 用热激活信号激活有源器件以增加有源器件的尺寸; 填充相对表面之间的间隙，并冷却该装置以设定新的间隙填充尺寸。

公开(公告)号：US20050230195A1

公开(公告)日：2005-10-20

申请号：US11078847

申请日：2005-03-11

申请人： Gary Jones ,  Nilesh Mankame ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Norman Bucknor ,  Paul Meernik ,  John Ulicny ,  James O'Kane

发明人： Gary Jones ,  Nilesh Mankame ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Norman Bucknor ,  Paul Meernik ,  John Ulicny ,  James O'Kane

IPC分类号： B60T1/00 ,  B65D33/30 ,  E05B15/04 ,  E05B47/00 ,  E05B65/12 ,  F15B15/20 ,  F15B15/26 ,  F15B21/06 ,  F16D63/00 ,  F16F5/00 ,  F16F9/34 ,  F16F9/36 ,  F16F9/46 ,  F16F9/54 ,  F16F9/56 ,  F16F15/00

CPC分类号： F16F9/56 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B47/0011 ,  E05B51/005 ,  E05B81/20 ,  E05B2015/0493 ,  F15B15/204 ,  F15B15/26 ,  F15B21/065 ,  F16F9/368 ,  F16F9/46 ,  F16F9/466 ,  F16F9/54 ,  F16F15/005 ,  F16F2224/025 ,  F16F2224/0258 ,  F16F2224/0283 ,  F16F2224/045 ,  Y10T70/5093 ,  Y10T292/1082 ,  Y10T292/17 ,  Y10T292/699

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.

摘要翻译： 本文公开了一种支柱组件10，其包括与活塞3可操作地连通的锁定装置11，其中锁定装置11包括可响应于激活信号抵抗活塞3的运动的活性材料。 这里也公开了一种操作支柱组件10的方法，包括使与活塞3机械连通的悬挂体60移位; 激活与活塞3操作性连通的活性材料; 并控制悬挂体60的运动。

公开(公告)号：US20050218710A1

公开(公告)日：2005-10-06

申请号：US11076433

申请日：2005-03-09

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson

IPC分类号： A47C5/00 ,  A47C15/00 ,  A47C27/14 ,  A47C31/11

CPC分类号： A47C27/14 ,  A47C5/00 ,  A47C31/11 ,  B60N2/58 ,  B60N2/5891 ,  B60N2/64 ,  B60N2/646 ,  C08L2201/12

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.

摘要翻译： 座椅组件包括座椅织物，其中所述座椅织物的至少一部分包括包含适于在热转变温度下经历弹性模量变化的形状记忆聚合物的纱线; 支撑材料，所述座椅织物设置在所述支撑材料上; 以及与所述形状记忆聚合物可操作地连通的控制器，其中所述控制器可操作以选择性地将热激活信号施加到所述形状记忆聚合物以实现所述形状记忆聚合物的弹性模量的变化，其中所述模量 形状记忆聚合物的弹性导致座椅织物的刚度和/或柔性变化。

公开(公告)号：US20050211870A1

公开(公告)日：2005-09-29

申请号：US11075837

申请日：2005-03-09

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson

IPC分类号： B29C33/30 ,  B29C33/40 ,  B29C33/44

CPC分类号： B29C33/308 ,  B29C33/44

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.

摘要翻译： 本文公开了一种用于模具中的可重构工具，其包括活性元件，活性元件包括活性材料，其中活化元件在活化时可操作以允许从模具或模制部件中的开口插入或移除可重构工具。 本文还公开了在模制操作期间使用可重构工具的方法，包括将熔融聚合物树脂，金属，陶瓷或包含熔融聚合物树脂，金属或陶瓷的组合倒入包括可重构工具的模具中，其中可重构工具 包括在施加外部刺激时被激活的有源元件; 并激活有源元件。

公开(公告)号：US20050202248A1

公开(公告)日：2005-09-15

申请号：US11077497

申请日：2005-03-10

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson

IPC分类号： B29C43/02 ,  B60R13/04 ,  B60R19/42

CPC分类号： B60R13/043 ,  B29L2031/3005 ,  B29L2031/7232 ,  B60R13/04 ,  E05Y2900/531 ,  Y10T428/31504

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.

摘要翻译： 本文公开了一种变形模制品，其包括与模制品的表面可操作连通的活性材料，其中通过外部刺激物活化活性材料可改变模制品的形状。 这里也公开了一种改变模制件的形状的方法，包括激活与模制件有效连通的活性材料; 改变活性材料的形状，尺寸和/或硬度; 并改变模制件的形状，尺寸和/或硬度。

公开(公告)号：US20070267876A1

公开(公告)日：2007-11-22

申请号：US11759322

申请日：2007-06-07

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Ivan Sears

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Ivan Sears

IPC分类号： B60R19/02

CPC分类号： B60R19/03 ,  B29C33/308 ,  B29C33/44 ,  B60R13/04 ,  B60R13/043 ,  B60R19/50 ,  B62D35/00 ,  B62D39/00 ,  Y10T428/31507

摘要： A morphable vehicle member utilizing at least one active material to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The change in at least one attribute is a change in a shape dimension, a shape orientation, an expansion, a contraction, a morphing, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus or a combination. Preferably, the change in at least one attribute in the morphable vehicle member is reversible. Also disclosed herein are methods for the morphable vehicle member utilizing at least one active material to change at least one attribute on demand in response to an activation signal.

摘要翻译： 使用至少一种活性材料的变形车辆构件响应于激活信号而改变至少一个属性。 至少一个属性的变化是形状尺寸，形状取向，膨胀，收缩，变形，屈服强度特性，弯曲模量或组合的变化。 优选地，变形车辆构件中的至少一个属性的变化是可逆的。 本文还公开了用于响应于激活信号利用至少一种活性材料改变至少一个属性的变形车辆构件的方法。

公开(公告)号：US20070188004A1

公开(公告)日：2007-08-16

申请号：US11554753

申请日：2006-10-31

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  James Khoury ,  Paul Alexander ,  Michael Carpenter

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  James Khoury ,  Paul Alexander ,  Michael Carpenter

IPC分类号： A47C7/36

CPC分类号： A47C7/38 ,  B60N2/888

摘要： A headrest assembly for a seat includes a body portion having at least one padded surface positioned in substantial alignment with a seated occupant's head; and an active material in operative communication with the at least one padded surface of the body portion, the active material being operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein a space between the occupant's head and the at least one padded surface decreases with the change in the at least one attribute of the active material.

摘要翻译： 用于座椅的头枕组件包括主体部分，其具有至少一个填充表面，其被定位成与就座乘客的头部基本对齐; 以及与所述主体部分的所述至少一个填充表面可操作地通信的活性材料，所述活性材料可操作以响应于激活信号而改变至少一个属性，其中所述乘客的头部和所述至少一个填充物之间的空间 表面随活性材料的至少一个属性的变化而减小。

公开(公告)号：US20070063566A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-22

申请号：US11221005

申请日：2005-09-07

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Chandra Namuduri ,  John Ulicny ,  Nancy Johnson

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Chandra Namuduri ,  John Ulicny ,  Nancy Johnson

IPC分类号： A47C1/023 ,  F16M13/00

CPC分类号： B60N2/42736 ,  B60N2/4221 ,  B60N2/4228

摘要： A seat assembly including a seat stroking device for a vehicle and methods of use include a seat adjustment mechanism comprising a stationary rail fixedly attached to a vehicle floor and a movable rail slidably engaged with the stationary rail, wherein the seat adjustment mechanism is adapted to position a seat; an active material based stroking device having one end fixedly attached to a non-movable portion and an other end in operative communication with the movable rail; and a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.

摘要翻译： 一种座椅组合件，包括用于车辆的座椅抚摸装置和使用方法，包括座椅调节机构，其包括固定地连接到车辆地板的固定轨道和与所述静止轨道可滑动地接合的活动轨道，其中所述座椅调节机构适于定位 座位; 基于活动材料的划线装置，其一端固定地附接到不可移动部分，另一端与所述活动导轨可操作地连通; 以及控制器，其与所述活性材料可操作地通信，其中所述控制器可操作以选择性地向所述活性材料施加激活信号并且影响所述活性材料的属性的变化，其中所述属性的变化导致强制和加速度调节 能量吸收。