公开(公告)号：US20110120116A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947917

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC分类号： F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： A heat engine system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy and includes an element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the heat source and the heat sink. The heat engine system also includes a start-up mechanism configured for inducing initial movement of the element in a desired operational direction to thereby start the heat engine.

摘要翻译： 构造成将热能转换为机械能的热引擎系统包括由具有第一温度的热源和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的散热器之间的温度差提供的热能源。 热机被配置为将热能转换为机械能，并且包括由第一形状记忆合金形成的元件，该第一形状记忆合金具有响应于热源和热源之间的温度差在第一相变温度下在奥氏体和马氏体之间变化的结晶相 水槽。 热机系统还包括启动机构，其被构造成用于引导元件在期望的操作方向上的初始移动，从而起动热机。

公开(公告)号：US08631652B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-21

申请号：US12947917

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC分类号： F01B29/10

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： A heat engine system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy and includes an element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the heat source and the heat sink. The heat engine system also includes a start-up mechanism configured for inducing initial movement of the element in a desired operational direction to thereby start the heat engine.

摘要翻译： 构造成将热能转换为机械能的热引擎系统包括由具有第一温度的热源和具有低于第一温度的第二温度的散热器之间的温度差提供的热能源。 热机被配置为将热能转换为机械能，并且包括由第一形状记忆合金形成的元件，该第一形状记忆合金具有响应于热源和热源之间的温度差在第一相变温度下在奥氏体和马氏体之间变化的结晶相 水槽。 热机系统还包括启动机构，其被构造成用于引导元件在期望的操作方向上的初始移动，从而起动热机。

公开(公告)号：US07797933B2

公开(公告)日：2010-09-21

申请号：US12014945

申请日：2008-01-16

申请人： Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Brian W. Whitmarsh ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Stephen W. Powell ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Xiujie Gao

发明人： Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Brian W. Whitmarsh ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Stephen W. Powell ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Xiujie Gao

IPC分类号： F15B21/00 ,  F01L1/00 ,  B60T8/17

CPC分类号： F16D41/14 ,  F15B21/045 ,  F15B21/065 ,  F16D63/006 ,  F16D2121/02 ,  F16D2121/28 ,  F16D2121/32 ,  F16H63/3483 ,  F16H63/48 ,  F16H63/483

摘要： A servo system includes pressurized fluid, and one or more fluid control devices (FCD) such as a valve or actuator, with at least one FCD having an element with a variable property that varies in response to a stimulus. The FCD controls a flow rate or pressure transmission of the fluid within the servo system. The element may include an active return spring having a variable stiffness. The servo system may operate as an interlock system for a transmission. A method for moving an output load using a servo system includes providing a first FCD with an active element, connecting an output load to a second FCD, activating the active element with a stimulus to vary a property of the active element, transmitting a force from the pressurized fluid to the second FCD, and moving the output load from a first position to a second position in response to the force.

摘要翻译： 伺服系统包括加压流体和一个或多个流体控制装置（FCD），例如阀或致动器，其中至少一个FCD具有响应于刺激而变化的具有可变特性的元件。 FCD控制伺服系统内流体的流量或压力传递。 元件可以包括具有可变刚度的主动复位弹簧。 伺服系统可以作为变速器的联锁系统运行。 使用伺服系统移动输出负载的方法包括：向第一FCD提供有源元件，将输出负载连接到第二FCD，用激励来激活有源元件以改变有源元件的特性， 加压流体到第二FCD，并且响应于该力将输出负载从第一位置移动到第二位置。

公开(公告)号：US20100176581A1

公开(公告)日：2010-07-15

申请号：US12353253

申请日：2009-01-13

申请人： Patrick B. Usoro ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Steven G. Corrion ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Lawrence C. Maugh ,  Mark Kramarczyk

发明人： Patrick B. Usoro ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Steven G. Corrion ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Lawrence C. Maugh ,  Mark Kramarczyk

IPC分类号： B60R22/20

CPC分类号： B60R22/03 ,  B60R22/48

摘要： A safety belt buckle presenter adapted for use with a translatable buckle includes an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to an activation signal, wherein the element is drivenly coupled to the buckle, and configured to cause the buckle to translate between deployed and stowed positions as a result of the change.

摘要翻译： 适于与可平移的带扣一起使用的安全带带扣呈现器包括活动材料元件，其可操作以在暴露于激活信号时经历可逆变化，其中所述元件被驱动地联接到所述带扣，并且被配置为使所述带扣部署 并由于变更而收起职位。

公开(公告)号：US20120198835A1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-09

申请号：US13443989

申请日：2012-04-11

申请人： Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Robin Stevenson ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

发明人： Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nicholas W. Pinto, IV ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Robin Stevenson ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  B23P11/00

CPC分类号： F16G11/02 ,  F03G7/065 ,  Y10T29/49826 ,  Y10T403/21 ,  Y10T403/217

摘要： An assembly for and method of reinforcing interconnection between an active material wire actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, and structure, includes the generation and engagement of an enlarged formation affixed to or integrally formed with the actuator.

摘要翻译： 活性材料丝丝致动器（例如形状记忆合金线）和结构之间的加强组合和加强方法包括固定到致动器上或与致动器一体形成的放大形状的产生和接合。

公开(公告)号：US09022682B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-05

申请号：US13443989

申请日：2012-04-11

申请人： Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nicholas W Pinto, IV ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Robin Stevenson ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

发明人： Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Nicholas W Pinto, IV ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Robin Stevenson ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

IPC分类号： F16C9/00 ,  F16G11/02 ,  F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F16G11/02 ,  F03G7/065 ,  Y10T29/49826 ,  Y10T403/21 ,  Y10T403/217

摘要： An assembly for and method of reinforcing interconnection between an active material wire actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, and structure, includes the generation and engagement of an enlarged formation affixed to or integrally formed with the actuator.

摘要翻译： 活性材料丝丝致动器（例如形状记忆合金线）和结构之间的加强组合和加强方法包括固定到致动器上或与致动器一体形成的放大形状的产生和接合。

公开(公告)号：US20140060036A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-06

申请号：US13600337

申请日：2012-08-31

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F01P7/10 ,  F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating elements are commonly simpler and of lower mass than alternative actuator designs and may find particular application in the transportation industry. Such SMA-powered devices are usually reliable and long-lived but the phase transformations which occur in the SMA alloy and are responsible for its utility are not totally reversible. This irreversibility, a consequence of irrecoverable strain, may progressively degrade the long-term actuator performance as the irrecoverable strain accumulates over many operating cycles. Methods and devices for compensating for these effects and extending the useful cycle life of SMA actuators are described.

摘要翻译： 形状记忆合金（SMA）致动元件通常比替代致动器设计更简单并且质量更低，并且可以在运输行业中找到特定应用。 这种SMA供电的设备通常是可靠的和长寿命的，但SMA合金中发生的并且对其效用负责的相变不是完全可逆的。 这种不可逆转性是不可恢复的应变的结果，随着不可恢复的应变在许多操作循环中积累，可能逐渐降低长期致动器性能。 描述了用于补偿这些影响并延长SMA致动器的有用循环寿命的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US09021801B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-05

申请号：US13600337

申请日：2012-08-31

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04 ,  F01P7/10 ,  F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F01P7/10 ,  F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating elements are commonly simpler and of lower mass than alternative actuator designs and may find particular application in the transportation industry. Such SMA-powered devices are usually reliable and long-lived but the phase transformations which occur in the SMA alloy and are responsible for its utility are not totally reversible. This irreversibility, a consequence of irrecoverable strain, may progressively degrade the long-term actuator performance as the irrecoverable strain accumulates over many operating cycles. Methods and devices for compensating for these effects and extending the useful cycle life of SMA actuators are described.

摘要翻译： 形状记忆合金（SMA）致动元件通常比替代致动器设计更简单并且质量更低，并且可以在运输行业中找到特定应用。 这种SMA供电的设备通常是可靠的和长寿命的，但SMA合金中发生的并且对其效用负责的相变不是完全可逆的。 这种不可逆转性是不可恢复的应变的结果，随着不可恢复的应变在许多操作循环中积累，可能逐渐降低长期致动器性能。 描述了用于补偿这些影响并延长SMA致动器的有用循环寿命的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US08766564B2

公开(公告)日：2014-07-01

申请号：US13251415

申请日：2011-10-03

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Lei Hao ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Alan L. Browne

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Lei Hao ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Alan L. Browne

IPC分类号： H02N10/00 ,  H02P3/00

CPC分类号： G05B19/404 ,  G05B2219/41032 ,  G05B2219/49206

摘要： A system for and method of reducing the effects of preheat period variation in shape memory alloy actuation, include sensing the removal of motion delay due to slack, backlash, and/or compliance in the actuator and drive-train of the system, and determining actuator activation, as a result thereof.

摘要翻译： 减小形状记忆合金致动中预热周期变化的影响的系统和方法包括感测由于系统的致动器和传动系中的松弛，间隙和/或顺应性而导致的运动延迟的消除，以及确定致动器 作为其结果的激活。

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.