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.

公开(公告)号：US20090045042A1

公开(公告)日：2009-02-19

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： C25B5/00 ,  B32B3/10 ,  H01L41/18 ,  C09K3/00

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.

摘要翻译： 一种用于选择性地控制和改变两个体之间的界面处的摩擦力水平的装置，包括具有至少一个表面的第一接触体，具有与第一接触体物理连通的至少一个表面的第二接触体， 与所述第一接触体和所述第二接触体中的所选择的一个或两者操作性地连通的材料，其中所述活性材料被配置为在接收到激活信号时经历属性变化，其中所述性质的变化有效地改变 在第一接触体的至少一个表面与第二接触体的至少一个表面之间的界面处的摩擦力水平。

公开(公告)号：US08109042B2

公开(公告)日：2012-02-07

申请号：US11076434

申请日：2005-03-09

申请人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

发明人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron Massey ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC分类号： E06B3/00

CPC分类号： 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

摘要： Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors employ active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active materials actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, or a combination of modulus and shape in response to an activation signal. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

摘要翻译： 用于在门的主动密封组件中改变密封力的方法采用可被控制和远程改变以改变密封效果的活性材料，其中活性材料主动地改变模量特性，例如硬度，或响应于 激活信号。 以这种方式，在诸如车门应用的密封应用中，可以最小化门打开和关闭的努力，从而可以最大化密封效果。

公开(公告)号：US20120216522A1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-30

申请号：US13340886

申请日：2011-12-30

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Christopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Wayne Brown

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Christopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Wayne Brown

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A thermal conduction element may be in direct contact with the SMA material, where the thermal conduction element is configured to receive thermal energy from the hot region and to transfer a portion of the received thermal energy to the SMA material through conduction.

摘要翻译： 用于将热能转换为机械能的能量收集系统包括使用形状记忆合金活性材料操作的热机。 形状记忆合金构件可以在第一温度的热区域和低于第一温度的第二温度的冷区域热连通。 形状记忆合金材料可以被配置为选择性地改变马氏体与奥氏体之间的结晶相，从而响应于第一和第二温度而收缩和膨胀。 导热元件可以与SMA材料直接接触，其中导热元件被配置为从热区域接收热能并且通过传导将接收的热能的一部分转移到SMA材料。

公开(公告)号：US09003789B2

公开(公告)日：2015-04-14

申请号：US13340886

申请日：2011-12-30

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Christopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Wayne Brown

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Christopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Wayne Brown

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

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A thermal conduction element may be in direct contact with the SMA material, where the thermal conduction element is configured to receive thermal energy from the hot region and to transfer a portion of the received thermal energy to the SMA material through conduction.

摘要翻译： 用于将热能转换为机械能的能量收集系统包括使用形状记忆合金活性材料操作的热机。 形状记忆合金构件可以在第一温度的热区域和低于第一温度的第二温度的冷区域热连通。 形状记忆合金材料可以被配置为选择性地改变马氏体与奥氏体之间的结晶相，从而响应于第一和第二温度而收缩和膨胀。 导热元件可以与SMA材料直接接触，其中导热元件被配置为从热区域接收热能并且通过传导将接收的热能的一部分转移到SMA材料。

公开(公告)号：US08707693B2

公开(公告)日：2014-04-29

申请号：US12947868

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Nicholas W Pinto, IV

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Nicholas W Pinto, IV

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04 ,  F01N5/02 ,  F02G3/00 ,  F01N3/02

CPC分类号： F16H7/02 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A plurality of heat engines are located proximate to the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engines each include a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy driven to rotate by heat exchange contact with each of the first region and the second region. At least one pulley for each of the plurality of heat engines is driven by the rotation of the respective shape memory alloy, and each of the at least one pulleys is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括第一区域和第二区域之间的温差。 多个热引擎位于导管附近并且被配置用于将热能转换成机械能。 热引擎各自包括形成至少一个大体上连续的环的形状记忆合金。 所述形状记忆合金被驱动以通过与所述第一区域和所述第二区域中的每一个热交换接触而旋转。 多个发动机中的每一个的至少一个滑轮由相应形状记忆合金的旋转驱动，并且至少一个滑轮中的每一个可操作地连接到部件，从而驱动部件。

公开(公告)号：US20110165981A1

公开(公告)日：2011-07-07

申请号：US12947860

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Patrick B. Usoro

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Patrick B. Usoro

IPC分类号： F16G1/22

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component. The heat engine includes a belt, a first member, and a second member. The belt includes a strip of material and at least one wire at least partially embedded longitudinally in the strip of material. The wire includes a shape memory alloy material. A localized region of the at least one wire is configured to change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and either contract or expand longitudinally in response to exposure to a first temperature or a second temperature such that the strip of material corresponding to the localized region also contracts or expands. The first member is operatively connected to the belt and moves with the belt in response to the expansion or contraction of the belt. The component is operatively connected to the first member such that movement of the first member drives the component.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热机和部件。 热机包括皮带，第一部件和第二部件。 带包括一条材料条和至少部分地沿纵向地嵌入材料条中的线。 导线包括形状记忆合金材料。 所述至少一根导线的局部区域被配置为改变马氏体和奥氏体之间的结晶相，并且响应于暴露于第一温度或第二温度而纵向收缩或膨胀，使得对应于局部区域的材料条也收缩 或扩展。 第一构件可操作地连接到带并响应于带的膨胀或收缩而与带一起移动。 组件可操作地连接到第一构件，使得第一构件的移动驱动构件。

公开(公告)号：US20110124452A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947868

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Nicholas W. Pinto, IV

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Nicholas W. Pinto, IV

IPC分类号： F03G7/06 ,  F16H7/02

CPC分类号： F16H7/02 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A plurality of heat engines are located proximate to the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engines each include a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy driven to rotate by heat exchange contact with each of the first region and the second region. At least one pulley for each of the plurality of heat engines is driven by the rotation of the respective shape memory alloy, and each of the at least one pulleys is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括第一区域和第二区域之间的温差。 多个热引擎位于导管附近并且被配置用于将热能转换成机械能。 热引擎各自包括形成至少一个大体上连续的环的形状记忆合金。 所述形状记忆合金被驱动以通过与所述第一区域和所述第二区域中的每一个热交换接触而旋转。 多个发动机中的每一个的至少一个滑轮由相应形状记忆合金的旋转驱动，并且至少一个滑轮中的每一个可操作地连接到部件，从而驱动部件。

公开(公告)号：US20110120115A1

公开(公告)日：2011-05-26

申请号：US12947914

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F02G1/04 ,  F16H7/08 ,  F16H7/12

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component configured to be driven by operation of the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first member, a second member, a shape memory alloy material, and a tensioner. The second member is spaced from the first member. The shape memory alloy material operatively interconnects the first member and the second member. The shape memory alloy material is configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and thereby contract in response to exposure to a first temperature. The shape memory alloy material is also configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and thereby expand in response to exposure to a second temperature. The tensioner is configured to apply tension to the shape memory alloy material as the shape memory alloy material selectively expands and contracts such that the shape memory alloy material is taut.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热引擎和构造成由热机的操作驱动的部件。 热机包括第一构件，第二构件，形状记忆合金材料和张紧器。 第二构件与第一构件间隔开。 形状记忆合金材料可操作地将第一构件和第二构件相互连接。 形状记忆合金材料构造成选择性地将结晶相从马氏体转变为奥氏体，从而响应于暴露于第一温度而收缩。 形状记忆合金材料还被配置为选择性地将结晶相从奥氏体转变为马氏体，从而响应于暴露于第二温度而膨胀。 张紧器构造成当形状记忆合金材料选择性地膨胀和收缩使得形状记忆合金材料拉紧时，向形状记忆合金材料施加张力。

公开(公告)号：US08793993B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-05

申请号：US12947914

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component configured to be driven by operation of the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first member, a second member, a shape memory alloy material, and a tensioner. The second member is spaced from the first member. The shape memory alloy material operatively interconnects the first member and the second member. The shape memory alloy material is configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and thereby contract in response to exposure to a first temperature. The shape memory alloy material is also configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and thereby expand in response to exposure to a second temperature. The tensioner is configured to apply tension to the shape memory alloy material as the shape memory alloy material selectively expands and contracts such that the shape memory alloy material is taut.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热引擎和构造成由热机的操作驱动的部件。 热机包括第一构件，第二构件，形状记忆合金材料和张紧器。 第二构件与第一构件间隔开。 形状记忆合金材料可操作地将第一构件和第二构件相互连接。 形状记忆合金材料构造成选择性地将结晶相从马氏体转变为奥氏体，从而响应于暴露于第一温度而收缩。 形状记忆合金材料还被配置为选择性地将结晶相从奥氏体转变为马氏体，从而响应于暴露于第二温度而膨胀。 张紧器构造成当形状记忆合金材料选择性地膨胀和收缩使得形状记忆合金材料拉紧时，向形状记忆合金材料施加张力。