公开(公告)号：US07823682B2

公开(公告)日：2010-11-02

申请号：US11533422

申请日：2006-09-20

Applicant: Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Diann Brei ,  Nathan A. Wilmot ,  John Redmond

Inventor： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Diann Brei ,  Nathan A. Wilmot ,  John Redmond

IPC: B60R21/34

CPC classification number: B60R21/38 ,  B62D25/105 ,  B62D29/00 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B77/08 ,  E05F15/60 ,  E05F15/72 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/536

Abstract: 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：US07815233B2

公开(公告)日：2010-10-19

申请号：US11972560

申请日：2008-01-10

Applicant: Christopher P. Henry ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Cameron Massey ,  Nancy L. Johnson

Inventor： Christopher P. Henry ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Cameron Massey ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: E05C17/56 ,  E05C19/16

CPC classification number: E06B7/2314 ,  B60J10/15 ,  B60J10/16 ,  B60J10/244 ,  B60J10/40 ,  B60J10/50 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B15/16 ,  E05B15/1607 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B47/0011 ,  E05B81/00 ,  E05B81/20 ,  E05C19/001 ,  E05C19/166 ,  E05F1/00 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2400/614 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/531 ,  E05Y2900/55 ,  F16J15/022 ,  F16J15/025 ,  F16J15/027 ,  F16J15/028 ,  F16J15/061 ,  F16J15/064 ,  F16J15/0806 ,  Y10S277/921 ,  Y10S292/65 ,  Y10T16/56 ,  Y10T292/11

Abstract: Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.

公开(公告)号：US20100043250A1

公开(公告)日：2010-02-25

申请号：US12528011

申请日：2008-02-06

Applicant: Erik Berends ,  Martin Kornberger ,  Dirk Wegener

Inventor： Erik Berends ,  Martin Kornberger ,  Dirk Wegener

IPC: F26B7/00

CPC classification number: A47L15/483 ,  A47L15/0034 ,  A47L15/4257 ,  A47L15/4259 ,  A47L15/488 ,  A47L2401/20 ,  A47L2501/22 ,  E05Y2201/412 ,  E05Y2201/426 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2900/304

Abstract: A method for carrying out a drying step in a dishwasher that includes a housing, a washing tub, a door with a hinged lower region operable to close the washing tub, an opening device for automatically opening the door to an ajar position and a condensation drying system including a cooling-air flow generator. The method includes guiding a portion of a cooling-air flow along a portion of an underside of a countertop covering a top of the dishwasher housing both before and after the door is opened to an ajar position.

Abstract translation: 一种用于在洗碗机中进行干燥步骤的方法，该洗碗机包括壳体，洗涤桶，具有可操作以关闭洗涤桶的铰接下部区域的门，用于将门自动打开到开启位置的开启装置和冷凝干燥 系统包括冷却气流发生器。 该方法包括在门被打开到空气位置之前和之后，沿着覆盖餐具洗涤器壳体的顶部的台面的下侧的一部分引导冷却空气流的一部分。

公开(公告)号：US20090218827A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-03

申请号：US12085591

申请日：2006-11-30

Applicant: Eddy Meyer ,  Karl Erben

Inventor： Eddy Meyer ,  Karl Erben

IPC: E05C3/06

CPC classification number: B60J5/101 ,  E05B83/16 ,  E05C5/02 ,  E05D15/262 ,  E05D15/48 ,  E05D2005/067 ,  E05Y2201/22 ,  E05Y2201/246 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/00 ,  E05Y2900/531 ,  E05Y2900/546 ,  Y10T292/1047 ,  Y10T292/1078 ,  Y10T292/1082

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking unit for a first flap, a second flap and a carrier, comprising a locking element which can be housed in a displaceable manner on the first flap and which comprises a tappet, and a driveable actuation device which is used to displace the locking element. In a first position, said locking element couples the first flap to the second flap in order to form a unit, and in a second position, the first flap is released from the second flap, and in an intermediate position, the first flap and the second flap are fixed together in the carrier. An active connection between the tappet of the locking element and the actuation element can be formed in said intermediate position.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及一种用于第一挡板，第二挡板和托架的锁定单元，包括锁定元件，所述锁定元件可以可置换地容纳在第一挡板上并且包括挺杆，以及可驱动致动装置，其用于 移动锁定元件。 在第一位置，所述锁定元件将第一翼片连接到第二翼片以形成单元，并且在第二位置，第一翼片从第二翼片释放，并且在中间位置，第一翼片和 第二片固定在载体上。 可以在所述中间位置形成锁定元件的挺杆与致动元件之间的有效连接。

公开(公告)号：US07500704B2

公开(公告)日：2009-03-10

申请号：US11555288

申请日：2006-11-01

Applicant: Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Robert E. Doty

Inventor： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Robert E. Doty

IPC: B60R7/06 ,  B60K37/00

CPC classification number: 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

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 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：US20080203760A1

公开(公告)日：2008-08-28

申请号：US11678085

申请日：2007-02-23

Applicant: John A. Cafeo ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Gary L. Jones ,  Nancy L. Johnson

Inventor： John A. Cafeo ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Gary L. Jones ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC: B60J10/08 ,  E05D7/04 ,  E06B1/04 ,  E05C21/00

CPC classification number: E05D9/00 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05D7/0018 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/104 ,  E05Y2800/342 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/531 ,  E05Y2900/538 ,  Y10T16/5323 ,  Y10T16/5324 ,  Y10T16/53247 ,  Y10T16/5326 ,  Y10T29/49771 ,  Y10T29/49895 ,  Y10T292/03 ,  Y10T292/096 ,  Y10T292/1014

Abstract: An adjustable closure hinge assembly, includes a first hinge portion having a first aperture, a second hinge portion having a second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, a hinge member disposed in the first and second apertures for joining the first and second hinge portions, wherein the hinge member further comprises a spacer intermediate walls defining the first and second apertures and the hinge member, wherein the spacer comprises an active material, 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 at least one property of the active material, wherein the change in the at least one property is effective to provide up to six degrees of freedom to the hinge member and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.

Abstract translation: 可调节的闭合铰链组件包括具有第一孔的第一铰链部分，具有与第一孔同轴对准的第二孔的第二铰链部分，设置在第一和第二孔中用于接合第一和第二铰链部分的铰链部件， 其中所述铰链构件还包括限定所述第一和第二孔和所述铰链构件的间隔件中间壁，其中所述间隔件包括活性材料和与所述活性材料可操作地连通的激活装置，其中所述致动装置可操作以选择性地施加 活化材料的活化信号并且在活性材料的至少一个性质中产生可逆变化，其中至少一种性质的改变有效地为铰链构件提供高达六个自由度并且小于或等于 到没有激活信号的两个自由度。

公开(公告)号：US20070063544A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-22

申请号：US11533422

申请日：2006-09-20

Applicant: Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Diann Brei ,  Nathan Wilmot ,  John Redmond

Inventor： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  Diann Brei ,  Nathan Wilmot ,  John Redmond

IPC: B62D25/10 ,  B60J7/00

CPC classification number: B60R21/38 ,  B62D25/105 ,  B62D29/00 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B77/08 ,  E05F15/60 ,  E05F15/72 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/536

Abstract: 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.

Abstract translation: 一种用于在适当的车辆罩的能级可逆地增加能量吸收能力的罩提升机构包括车罩; 活动材料，其与所述车辆罩相连动地进行操作，其中所述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，电流变流体，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 车辆罩与底层部件之间的距离。

公开(公告)号：US20070063540A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-22

申请号：US11533430

申请日：2006-09-20

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

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

IPC: B60J1/00

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

Abstract: 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：US20050198904A1

公开(公告)日：2005-09-15

申请号：US11063652

申请日：2005-02-23

Applicant: Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Geoffrey Mc Knight ,  Andrew Keefe ,  Christopher Henry ,  Guillermo Herrera

Inventor： Alan Browne ,  Nancy Johnson ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Geoffrey Mc Knight ,  Andrew Keefe ,  Christopher Henry ,  Guillermo Herrera

IPC: B60J10/00 ,  E05B47/00 ,  E05B65/12 ,  E05C3/06 ,  E05C19/00 ,  E05F1/00 ,  E05F11/38 ,  E06B7/16 ,  E06B7/23 ,  F16J15/00 ,  F16J15/02 ,  F16J15/06 ,  F16J15/08 ,  F16J15/53

CPC classification number: E06B7/2314 ,  B60J10/15 ,  B60J10/16 ,  B60J10/244 ,  B60J10/40 ,  B60J10/50 ,  C08L2201/12 ,  E05B15/16 ,  E05B15/1607 ,  E05B47/0009 ,  E05B47/0011 ,  E05B81/00 ,  E05B81/20 ,  E05C19/001 ,  E05C19/166 ,  E05F1/00 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2400/614 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/531 ,  E05Y2900/55 ,  F16J15/022 ,  F16J15/025 ,  F16J15/027 ,  F16J15/028 ,  F16J15/061 ,  F16J15/064 ,  F16J15/0806 ,  Y10S277/921 ,  Y10S292/65 ,  Y10T16/56 ,  Y10T292/11

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle window application, the seal force can be selectively reduced during movement of the window and increased when the window is stationary, thereby selectively changing seal effectiveness. Active materials refers to several different classes of 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.

Abstract translation: 主动密封组件采用可被控制和远程改变以改变密封效能的活性材料，其中主动密封组件主动地改变诸如刚度，形状取向等的模量性质。 以这种方式，在诸如车窗应用的密封应用中，可以在窗户移动期间选择性地减小密封力，并且当窗口静止时增加密封力，从而选择性地改变密封效果。 活性材料是指当经受许多不同类型的施加的激活信号中的至少一种时，所有这些材料都表现出至少一个属性（例如尺寸，形状和/或挠曲模量）的变化，这些信号的示例 是热，电，磁，应力等。

公开(公告)号：US20050198777A1

公开(公告)日：2005-09-15

申请号：US10796806

申请日：2004-03-09

Applicant: James Mabe

Inventor： James Mabe

IPC: E05F1/08

CPC classification number: E05D7/009 ,  E05D5/10 ,  E05F15/60 ,  E05Y2201/40 ,  E05Y2201/43 ,  E05Y2800/67 ,  E05Y2900/502 ,  Y10T16/5389

Abstract: A hinge apparatus generally includes a hinge pin formed of a two-way shape memory alloy (SMA) adapted to transition, without an externally applied load, between a first trained shape and a second trained shape upon switching the two-way SMA between a first state and a second state. The hinge pin can apply two-way reversible actuation forces to a device coupled to the hinge apparatus. The hinge pin can be produced by thermal cycling a material under a sufficient load for a sufficient number of thermal cycles between about the material's austenite and martensite temperatures to complete training of the material. The thermal cycling conditions the material to transition, without an externally applied load, between an austenitic shape and a martensitic shape to perform useful work when the material is thermally cycled between the austenite and martensite temperatures.

Abstract translation: 铰链装置通常包括由双向形状记忆合金（SMA）形成的铰链销，适于在没有外部施加的负载的情况下，在第一和第二训练形状之间转换第一训练形状和第二训练形状之间切换双向SMA 状态和第二状态。 铰链销可以向耦合到铰链装置的装置施加双向可逆致动力。 铰链销可以通过在足够的负载下对材料进行热循环以在材料的奥氏体和马氏体温度之间进行足够数量的热循环以完成材料的训练来制造。 热循环使材料在奥氏体形状和马氏体形状之间没有外部施加的载荷条件下转变，以在材料在奥氏体和马氏体温度之间热循环时进行有用的工作。