公开(公告)号：US20070063540A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-22

申请号：US11533430

申请日：2006-09-20

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Kenneth Strom ,  Diann Brei ,  Jonathan Luntz ,  John Redmond ,  Brian Barnes

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Kenneth Strom ,  Diann Brei ,  Jonathan Luntz ,  John Redmond ,  Brian Barnes

IPC分类号： B60J1/00

CPC分类号： B60R21/38 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B77/08 ,  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：US20060214469A1

公开(公告)日：2006-09-28

申请号：US11436314

申请日：2006-05-18

申请人： Jan Aase ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  John Ulicny

发明人： Jan Aase ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  John Ulicny

IPC分类号： B62D35/00

CPC分类号： B60K11/085 ,  B60H2001/00092 ,  B62D35/00 ,  B64C23/00 ,  B64C2027/7288 ,  F15D1/10 ,  Y02T10/88 ,  Y02T50/34

摘要： An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as a shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as the need for increased airflow through the radiator due to increases in engine coolant temperature. As such, the device improves vehicle fuel economy while maintaining proper engine cooling. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

摘要翻译： 气流控制装置包括与主体可操作地连通的主体和活动材料。 诸如形状记忆材料的活性材料可操作以响应于激活信号改变至少一个属性。 活性材料可以改变其形状，尺寸和/或刚度，从而产生气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度，以控制车辆气流，以更好地适应驾驶中的变化 因为由于发动机冷却液温度升高，需要增加通过散热器的气流。 因此，该装置在保持适当的发动机冷却的同时提高了车辆燃料经济性。 可以使用激活装置，控制器和传感器来进一步控制气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如装置的形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度。 用于控制车辆气流的方法选择性地引入激活信号以启动在停止激活信号时可以反转的装置的至少一个特征的改变。

公开(公告)号：US20060186706A1

公开(公告)日：2006-08-24

申请号：US11357916

申请日：2006-02-17

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Michael Leslie

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Michael Leslie

IPC分类号： B60K37/00

CPC分类号： B60K37/06

摘要： Control mechanisms and methods of use include the use of active materials as a blocking element. The control mechanisms generally include a tactile control in operative communication with an electrical circuit, wherein actuation of the tactile control closes the electrical circuit to activate a function. The blocking element includes an active material that is intermediate to the electrical circuit and the tactile control. The active material is adapted to change at least one attribute such as a modulus property in response to an activation signal. The change in the at least one attribute selectively changes a force level for actuating the tactile control.

摘要翻译： 控制机制和使用方法包括使用活性材料作为阻挡元件。 控制机构通常包括与电路操作性通信的触觉控制，其中触觉控制器的操作关闭电路以激活功能。 阻挡元件包括位于电路中间的活性材料和触觉控制。 活性材料适于响应于激活信号改变至少一个属性，例如模量特性。 至少一个属性的变化选择性地改变用于启动触觉控制的力水平。

公开(公告)号：US20060170243A1

公开(公告)日：2006-08-03

申请号：US11357919

申请日：2006-02-17

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Ivan Sears

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Ivan Sears

IPC分类号： B60J10/08

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：US20050234139A1

公开(公告)日：2005-10-20

申请号：US11093271

申请日：2005-03-29

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Ching-Shan Cheng ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Gary Jones ,  Scott Webb ,  Francis Wood ,  Ruth Gusko ,  Chin-Hsu Lin

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Ching-Shan Cheng ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Gary Jones ,  Scott Webb ,  Francis Wood ,  Ruth Gusko ,  Chin-Hsu Lin

IPC分类号： B60R19/00 ,  B60R19/18 ,  B60R19/26 ,  B60R21/04 ,  C08J9/00

CPC分类号： B60R21/04 ,  B60R19/00

摘要： A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash or impact comprising a honeycomb celled material expandable from a compact state to a expanded state and methods for operating the same.

摘要翻译： 一种用于改变碰撞或撞击的体积填充机械结构，包括从紧凑状态扩展到膨胀状态的蜂窝状细胞材料及其操作方法。

公开(公告)号：US20050087408A1

公开(公告)日：2005-04-28

申请号：US10691091

申请日：2003-10-22

申请人： Chandra Namuduri ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson

发明人： Chandra Namuduri ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson

IPC分类号： F16D57/00 ,  F16F9/53

CPC分类号： F16F9/535

摘要： A magnetorheological damper device is provided having an increased shear interface area per unit volume of device, which enhances the stroking force of the damper. The damper generally includes a thrust shaft comprising an external threaded surface in threaded communication with a sealed housing, wherein at least one end of the thrust shaft extends from the housing; a plurality of rotors and stators alternatingly arranged in the housing, wherein the plurality of rotors comprise a planar surface with a centrally located aperture that is rotatably engaged with the threaded surface of the thrust shaft, wherein the plurality of stators is fixedly attached to the housing and comprises a centrally located aperture dimensioned to accommodate vertical movement of the thrust shaft and a planar surface substantially parallel to the planar surface of the at least one rotor, and wherein alternating stators comprises a permanent magnet or an electromagnet; and a magnetorheological fluid disposed in a space defined by the plurality of rotors and stators.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种磁流变阻尼器装置，其具有每单位体积装置增加的剪切界面面积，这增强了阻尼器的抚摸力。 阻尼器通常包括推力轴，其包括与密封壳体螺纹连通的外螺纹表面，其中推力轴的至少一端从壳体延伸; 多个转子和定子，其交替地布置在壳体中，其中多个转子包括具有中心定位的孔的平坦表面，其可旋转地与推力轴的螺纹表面接合，其中多个定子固定地附接到壳体 并且包括中心定位的孔，其尺寸适于容纳推力轴的垂直运动和基本上平行于至少一个转子的平坦表面的平面，并且其中交替定子包括永磁体或电磁体; 以及设置在由所述多个转子和定子限定的空间中的磁流变流体。

公开(公告)号：US20080100092A1

公开(公告)日：2008-05-01

申请号：US11929226

申请日：2007-10-30

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  James Shoemaker ,  Paul Alexander ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Nilesh Mankame ,  Louise Stauffer ,  Robert Vitale ,  Jack Bailey

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  James Shoemaker ,  Paul Alexander ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Nilesh Mankame ,  Louise Stauffer ,  Robert Vitale ,  Jack Bailey

IPC分类号： B60J5/00 ,  E05F11/54

CPC分类号： E05F15/60 ,  E05F15/627 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/531 ,  E05Y2900/548 ,  Y10S292/72 ,  Y10T16/53835

摘要： A door system includes a structural member and a door that is movably mounted with respect to the structural member for movement between an open position and a closed position. A spring is mounted with respect to the structural member or the door and being sufficiently positioned to bias the door toward its open position when the door is in its closed position. Active material based actuators may selectively compress the spring prior to door closure to minimize door closing effort.

摘要翻译： 门系统包括结构构件和门，其相对于结构构件可移动地安装以在打开位置和关闭位置之间移动。 相对于结构构件或门安装弹簧，并且当门处于其关闭位置时，弹簧被充分地定位成将门偏向其打开位置。 基于活性材料的致动器可以在门关闭之前选择性地压缩弹簧，以最小化门关闭力。

公开(公告)号：US20070102962A1

公开(公告)日：2007-05-10

申请号：US11554744

申请日：2006-10-31

申请人： Paul Alexander ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Nilesh Mankame ,  Hanif Muhammad ,  Thomas Wanke

发明人： Paul Alexander ,  Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Nilesh Mankame ,  Hanif Muhammad ,  Thomas Wanke

IPC分类号： B60R27/00

CPC分类号： B60R19/24 ,  B60R19/26 ,  B62D21/15

摘要： A tunable property bracket for a vehicle body, includes a support member comprising a first active material configured to provide support for static and dynamic loads during normal operation of the vehicle body, wherein the first active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition during a loading event or a sensed loading event, wherein the change in the property is effective to provide a load bearing capacity change to the support member.

摘要翻译： 一种用于车体的可调谐属性支架，包括支撑构件，该支撑构件包括构造成在车身正常操作期间为静态和动态载荷提供支撑的第一活性材料，其中第一活性材料暴露于 在加载事件或检测到的负载事件期间的启动状态，其中，所述属性的变化对提供对所述支撑构件的承载能力的改变是有效的。

公开(公告)号：US20070068721A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-29

申请号：US11533417

申请日：2006-09-20

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Kenneth Strom ,  Diann Brei ,  Jonathan Luntz ,  Brian Barnes

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Kenneth Strom ,  Diann Brei ,  Jonathan Luntz ,  Brian Barnes

IPC分类号： B60K28/10

CPC分类号： B60R21/38

摘要： Hood lift mechanisms for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle closure includes a vehicle closure; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle closure, 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 closure and an underlying component.

摘要翻译： 用于在适当的车辆关闭力水平下可逆地增加能量吸收能力的罩升降机构包括车辆关闭件; 与车辆闭合件可操作地连通的活性材料，其中活性材料包括形状记忆合金，铁磁形状记忆合金，形状记忆聚合物，磁流变流体，电活性聚合物，磁流变弹性体，电粘滞性流体，压电 材料，离子聚合物金属复合材料或包含至少一种前述活性材料的组合; 以及与所述活性材料可操作地连通的激活装置，其中所述激活装置可操作以选择性地将活化信号施加到所述活性材料并且实现所述活性材料的性质的可逆变化，其中所述可逆变化导致增加的间隙 车辆关闭和底层部件之间的距离。

公开(公告)号：US20070063541A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-22

申请号：US11533883

申请日：2006-09-21

申请人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Kevin Rober ,  Mark Voss ,  Tadge Juechter ,  Edward Moss

发明人： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Kevin Rober ,  Mark Voss ,  Tadge Juechter ,  Edward Moss

IPC分类号： B62D35/00

CPC分类号： B62D35/00

摘要： A reversibly deployable spoiler for a vehicle comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow and downforce to better suit changes in driving conditions such as speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

摘要翻译： 用于车辆的可逆展开扰流器包括与身体可操作地连通的主体和活动材料。 诸如形状记忆材料的活性材料可操作以响应于激活信号改变至少一个属性。 活性材料可以改变其形状，尺寸和/或刚度，从而产生主动扰流器气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度，以控制车辆气流和下压力 适应速度等行驶条件的变化，同时降低维护和故障模式的水平。 激活装置，控制器和传感器可用于进一步控制主动扰流器气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度。 用于控制车辆气流的方法选择性地引入激活信号以启动在停止激活信号时可以反转的装置的至少一个特征的改变。