公开(公告)号：US08810234B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-19

申请号：US13452597

申请日：2012-04-20

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

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

IPC分类号： G01N27/92

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： A method of controlling and/or predicting the remaining useful life of an active material actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, includes obtaining historical actuation data of an inherent system variable, such as electrical resistance, over a secondary variable, such as time, determining a normal operating envelope having upper and lower bounds based on the data, determining a current profile for a given actuation cycle, and comparing the shape of the current profile to the envelope to determine an out-of-bounds event.

摘要翻译： 控制和/或预测诸如形状记忆合金线的活性材料致动器的剩余使用寿命的方法包括获得诸如电阻的固有系统变量的历史致动数据，例如次级变量，例如时间 ，基于所述数据确定具有上限和下限的正常操作包络，确定给定致动周期的当前轮廓，以及将所述当前轮廓的形状与所述包络进行比较以确定超出范围的事件。

公开(公告)号：US08590303B2

公开(公告)日：2013-11-26

申请号：US12947872

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry

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

CPC分类号： F02G5/04 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region having a second temperature. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. A carrier surrounds the conduit such that the carrier is driven to rotate around the conduit by the shape memory alloy in response to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括具有第一温度的第一区域和具有第二温度的第二区域。 管道至少部分地位于第一区域内。 构造成将热能转换为机械能的热引擎包括形成至少一个大体上连续的环的形状记忆合金。 形状记忆合金配置成与第一区域和第二区域热交换接触。 载体围绕导管，使得载体被驱动以响应于第一区域和第二区域之间的温度差由形状记忆合金围绕导管旋转。

公开(公告)号：US20120091744A1

公开(公告)日：2012-04-19

申请号：US12904429

申请日：2010-10-14

申请人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

发明人： Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC分类号： B60R13/00

CPC分类号： B60R11/00 ,  B60R11/0241 ,  B60R2011/0077

摘要： A holding fixture operable to secure differing pluralities of positioned objects having differing geometric shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions, including an active material element configured to selectively enable, cause, or retain the securing engagement and/or return the fixture to a ready state when not in use.

摘要翻译： 一种保持夹具，其可操作以固定具有不同几何形状，尺寸和/或尺寸的不同多个定位物体，包括被配置为选择性地启用，引起或保持固定接合和/或使夹具返回就绪状态的活性材料元件 不用时。

公开(公告)号：US09205593B2

公开(公告)日：2015-12-08

申请号：US13348653

申请日：2012-01-12

申请人： Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

发明人： Andrew C. Keefe ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson

IPC分类号： B32B3/24 ,  B29C59/02 ,  B29C59/18 ,  B44C1/00

CPC分类号： B29C59/02 ,  B29C59/18 ,  B44C1/00 ,  Y10T428/24446

摘要： Active texturing systems adapted for selectively and reversibly modifying the texture of a surface utilizing a variably foldable structure in communication with the surface, and active material actuation to enable and/or cause folding.

摘要翻译： 主动纹理系统适于利用与表面连通的可变折叠结构选择性地和可逆地修改表面纹理，以及活动材料致动以使得和/或引起折叠。

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：US08240677B2

公开(公告)日：2012-08-14

申请号：US11077493

申请日：2005-03-09

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

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

IPC分类号： F16J15/02

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： 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 tailored for vehicles such as in a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

摘要翻译： 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，在诸如在车门应用中的车辆的密封应用中，可以最小化门打开和关闭努力，从而可以最大限度地发挥密封效果。

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：US09038379B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-26

申请号：US12908191

申请日：2010-10-20

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

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

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： A method of controlling an energy harvesting system that converts excess thermal energy into mechanical energy and includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) member, includes obtaining current operational parameters of the energy harvesting system, such as a maximum temperature, a minimum temperature and a cycle frequency of the SMA member. The current operational parameters are compared to a target operating condition of the energy harvesting system to determine if the current operational parameters are within a pre-defined range of the target operating condition. If the current operational parameters are not within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition, then a heat transfer rate to, a heat transfer rate from or a cycle frequency of the SMA member is adjusted to maintain operation of the energy harvesting system within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition to maximize efficiency of the energy harvesting system.

摘要翻译： 一种控制能量收集系统的方法，其将过剩的热能转换成机械能并且包括形状记忆合金（SMA）构件，包括获得能量收集系统的当前操作参数，例如最高温度，最低温度和循环 SMA部件的频率。 将当前操作参数与能量收集系统的目标操作条件进行比较，以确定当前操作参数是否在目标操作条件的预定义范围内。 如果当前的操作参数不在目标操作条件的预定范围内，则调整传热速率，从SMA构件的传热速率或循环频率，以维持能量收集系统的运行 目标操作条件的预定义范围，以最大限度地提高能量收集系统的效率。

公开(公告)号：US09003788B2

公开(公告)日：2015-04-14

申请号：US12947866

申请日：2010-11-17

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

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

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04 ,  F02G5/04

CPC分类号： F02G5/04 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. The shape memory alloy is driven to rotate around at least a portion of the conduit by the response of the shape memory alloy to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. At least one pulley is driven by the rotation of the shape memory alloy, and the at least one pulley is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括具有第一温度和第二区域的第一区域。 管道至少部分地位于第一区域内。 构造成将热能转换为机械能的热引擎包括形成至少一个大体上连续的环的形状记忆合金。 形状记忆合金配置成与第一区域和第二区域热交换接触。 通过形状记忆合金对第一区域和第二区域之间的温度差的响应，形状记忆合金被驱动以围绕导管的至少一部分旋转。 至少一个滑轮由形状记忆合金的旋转驱动，并且至少一个皮带轮可操作地连接到部件，从而驱动部件。