Abstract:
A sealing assembly includes a door and a seal. The door includes a flexible body that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The seal is movable between an engaged position in which the seal is positioned in engagement with a portion of the flexible body when the flexible body is in the closed position and a disengaged position in which the seal moves away from the portion of the flexible body as the flexible body moves from the closed position to the open position such that the flexible body is spaced from the seal to minimize frictional engagement with the seal.
Abstract:
A load-carrying active material assembly and a method of preparing such an active material assembly suitable for attachment to a movable component of a mechanism is described. The assembly includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) element, a connector adapted to engage the moveable component mechanically crimped to the SMA element, and a filler material disposed intermediate the connector and SMA element. The filler may be a solder or a polymer. Methods for appropriately distributing the filler material and for promoting good adhesion of the filler to the SMA element and the connector are described.
Abstract:
A method of joining wire includes preparing a first discrete region of a first wire at a first end of the first wire. The prepared first discrete region is welded to a component to form a joint such that material of the prepared first discrete region at least partially thickens the joint. The component is one of a second end of the first wire, an end of a second wire, or a non-wire component. The joint may be heat treated according to a three-stage heat treatment process. Mechanical stress may be induced in the joint during the heat treatment so that the joint is subjected to thermo-mechanical processing.
Abstract:
A curved sandwich impact structure for a vehicle having a micro-truss core. In one embodiment, the sandwich impact structure includes a micro-truss layer sandwiched between two facesheets, a micro-truss layer designed for energy absorption on the outside of one of the facesheets, and a fascia panel in contact with the energy absorbing micro-truss layer.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a micro-truss structure having particular application for a vehicle impact structure. The method includes providing a thin support enclosure having a plurality of walls, where at least one of the walls is transparent to ultraviolet (UV) light. The support enclosure is filled with a liquid photomonomer resin and light from at least one UV source is directed through apertures in a mask and through the at least one transparent wall into the enclosure so as to polymerize and at least partially cure columns of the resin therein to form polymerized struts defining a micro-truss core in the enclosure that is secured to the walls. The support enclosure is then inserted into an outer structural enclosure.
Abstract:
A system, method, and computer storage configured for determining period-ending positions of multiple parts movable by select actuation of corresponding active materials. The operations include receiving, from a work-source sensor, work-source input indicating a distance moved by the work source and a direction of the movement, and determining, based on the work-source input and a first and second status histories, corresponding to a first and a second part, respectively, first and second distances travelled by the parts, respectively. Operations also include calculating, based on the first and second distances determined and first and second period-starting positions, corresponding to the first and second parts, respectively, first and second period-ending positions for the first and second parts, respectively.
Abstract:
One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.
Abstract:
A vehicle airbag and restraint system includes a vehicle seat positioned in a vehicle. At least one pressure sensor is included with the vehicle seat to sense when a user is in contact with the vehicle seat. At least one airbag is opened in response to a vehicle crash event. A controller determines when the user is seated on the vehicle seat in a position different than a normally upright position thereby defining the user being out-of-position, and generates a signal applied by the controller to modify an opening sequence of the at least one airbag when the user is out-of-position.
Abstract:
A structural component for a vehicle includes a component including an interior surface defining a first hollow passage and a structural reinforcement contacting the interior surface of the component. The structural reinforcement and component define a cross-section and the structural reinforcement partially fills the cross-section. A process for forming the structural component including inserting a bladder into the first hollow passage defined by the interior surface of the component and inflating the bladder in the first hollow passage, forming a cavity between the bladder and the interior surface, filling the cavity with a polymer resin, and foaming the polymer resin. A system for forming a structural component for a vehicle includes a component including a first hollow passage defined by an interior surface of the component, a bladder insertable into the first hollow passage of the component, and a supply line connected to an interior of the bladder.
Abstract:
An anti-submarining seat cushion for a vehicle includes a main body constructed of an anisotropic material. The anisotropic material includes a primary material including a primary stiffness and a plurality of inserts that are dispersed throughout the primary material. The plurality of inserts exert an axial compressive force in response to the main body of the anti-submarining seat cushion experiencing a submarining load, where the axial compressive force is exerted in a direction that opposes the submarining load to increase an overall stiffness of the main body in a direction that aligns with the submarining load.