Abstract:
Vehicular radiators and other heat exchangers containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are provided, as are methods for manufacturing nanotube heat exchangers. In one embodiment, the nanotube heat exchanger includes a coolant flow passage, an airflow path, a heat exchanger core bounding at least a portion of the coolant flow passage and the airflow path. The heat exchanger core contains a plurality of CNTs configured to enhance heat transfer from a coolant conducted through the coolant flow passage to airflow directed along the airflow path during operation of the nanotube heat exchanger. The CNTs can be, for example, single walled CNTs or other CNTs incorporated into one or more regions of the heat exchanger core by applying a nanotube coating to selected surfaces of the heat exchanger core or by producing the heat exchanger core to include one or more sintered, CNT-containing components.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a beam pattern of a sensor array. The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors, wherein a distance is defined between at least two of the sensors. A shape memory alloy (“SMA”) is coupled to at least one of the sensors. The SMA is controllably deformable to vary the distance between the sensors.
Abstract:
A suspension assembly between a sprung element and an unsprung element includes a load-carrying spring element arranged in parallel with a negative stiffness element between the sprung element and the unsprung element. The negative stiffness element includes first and second opposed mutually-repelling elements.
Abstract:
A suspension assembly between a sprung element and an unsprung element includes an active suspension system having a controllable load-carrying spring element arranged with a negative stiffness element between the sprung element and the unsprung element. The negative stiffness element has a negative stiffness constant that opposes a positive spring rate of the active suspension system to achieve a zero total spring stiffness of the suspension assembly under static conditions.
Abstract:
A suspension assembly between a sprung element and an unsprung element includes a load-carrying spring and a negative stiffness element between the sprung element and the unsprung element. The load-carrying spring element is configured with a positive spring rate to support a static load of the sprung element. The negative stiffness element is configured with a negative spring rate and is configured to exert a force opposing the spring rate of the spring, the negative spring rate has a magnitude that cancels the positive spring rate at a zero deflection point of the suspension assembly. The suspension assembly also includes an active trimming mechanism which is configured to move a plurality of pivot points of the negative stiffness element to achieve a trimmed position of the negative stiffness element.
Abstract:
A suspension assembly between a sprung element and an unsprung element includes load-carrying spring arranged in parallel with a negative stiffness element between the sprung element and the unsprung element. The spring is configured with a positive spring rate to support a static load of the sprung element. The negative stiffness element is configured with a negative spring rate and to exert a force opposing the spring rate of the spring. The negative spring rate has a magnitude that cancels the positive spring rate at a zero deflection point of the suspension assembly.
Abstract:
A vehicle braking system integrates information regarding relative distance and velocity of both a preceding vehicle/obstacle and a proceeding vehicle in order to execute a braking scheme that optimizes the operating distance between the host vehicle to both the preceding vehicle/obstacle and the proceeding vehicle.
Abstract:
A negative stiffness apparatus includes a fluid filled bellows interposed between a first surface and a second surface wherein the bellows and the first and second surfaces have an orientation of substantial equilibrium between the first and second surfaces. The bellows and the first and second surfaces include other orientations wherein the first and second surfaces are displaced from the orientation of substantial equilibrium and the bellows exerts a displacement force to urge the first and second surfaces further away from the orientation of substantial equilibrium