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：US06991280B2

公开(公告)日：2006-01-31

申请号：US10983330

申请日：2004-11-05

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

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

IPC分类号： B60J1/00

CPC分类号： B60K11/085 ,  B60H2001/00092 ,  B62D35/00 ,  B64C23/00 ,  B64C2027/7288 ,  F15D1/10 ,  Y02T10/88 ,  Y02T50/34

摘要： An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

公开(公告)号：US07703839B2

公开(公告)日：2010-04-27

申请号：US11086470

申请日：2004-11-05

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

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

IPC分类号： B62D35/00

CPC分类号： B60K11/085 ,  B60H2001/00092 ,  B62D35/00 ,  B64C23/00 ,  B64C2027/7288 ,  F15D1/10 ,  Y02T10/88 ,  Y02T50/34

摘要： An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

摘要翻译： 气流控制装置包括与主体可操作地连通的主体和活动材料。 诸如形状记忆材料的活性材料可操作以响应于激活信号改变至少一个属性。 活性材料可以改变其形状，尺寸和/或刚度，从而产生气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度，以控制车辆气流，以更好地适应驾驶中的变化 条件如天气，离地间隙和速度，同时减少维护和故障模式的水平。 因此，该装置由于不足的离地间隙而减少车辆损坏，同时提高车辆稳定性和燃料经济性。 可以使用激活装置，控制器和传感器来进一步控制气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如装置的形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度。 用于控制车辆气流的方法选择性地引入激活信号以启动在停止激活信号时可以反转的装置的至少一个特征的改变。

公开(公告)号：US20080272615A1

公开(公告)日：2008-11-06

申请号：US12174035

申请日：2008-07-16

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

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

IPC分类号： B62D37/02

CPC分类号： B64C23/00 ,  B64C2027/7288 ,  F15D1/10 ,  Y02T50/34

摘要： An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

摘要翻译： 气流控制装置包括与主体可操作地连通的主体和活动材料。 诸如形状记忆材料的活性材料可操作以响应于激活信号改变至少一个属性。 活性材料可以改变其形状，尺寸和/或刚度，从而产生气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度，以控制车辆气流，以更好地适应驾驶中的变化 条件如天气，离地间隙和速度，同时减少维护和故障模式的水平。 因此，该装置由于不足的离地间隙而减少车辆损坏，同时提高车辆稳定性和燃料经济性。 可以使用激活装置，控制器和传感器来进一步控制气流控制装置的至少一个特征的变化，例如装置的形状，尺寸，位置，取向和/或刚度。 用于控制车辆气流的方法选择性地引入激活信号以启动在停止激活信号时可以反转的装置的至少一个特征的改变。

公开(公告)号：US07854467B2

公开(公告)日：2010-12-21

申请号：US12174035

申请日：2008-07-16

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

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

IPC分类号： B60J9/00

CPC分类号： B64C23/00 ,  B64C2027/7288 ,  F15D1/10 ,  Y02T50/34

摘要： An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

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：US20100314860A1

公开(公告)日：2010-12-16

申请号：US12862278

申请日：2010-08-24

申请人： William Barvosa Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron G. Massey ,  Alan J. Jacobsen

发明人： William Barvosa Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron G. Massey ,  Alan J. Jacobsen

IPC分类号： B60R21/04

CPC分类号： B60R21/04 ,  B60R2021/0407

摘要： A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

摘要翻译： 可逆展开的能量吸收组件包括具有至少一个入口和至少一个出口的刚性支撑结构; 与所述刚性支撑结构密封地接合以限定可充气内部区域的柔性盖; 与所述至少一个入口流体连通的气源; 位于所述气体源和所述至少一个入口之间的入口控制阀; 以及与所述至少一个出口流体连通的主动控制的压力释放阀。 入口控制阀和减压阀适于提供适用于车辆碰撞管理的响应。

公开(公告)号：US08047572B2

公开(公告)日：2011-11-01

申请号：US12862278

申请日：2010-08-24

申请人： William Barvosa Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron G. Massey ,  Alan J. Jacobsen

发明人： William Barvosa Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Cameron G. Massey ,  Alan J. Jacobsen

IPC分类号： B60R21/04

CPC分类号： B60R21/04 ,  B60R2021/0407

摘要： A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

摘要翻译： 可逆展开的能量吸收组件包括具有至少一个入口和至少一个出口的刚性支撑结构; 与所述刚性支撑结构密封地接合以限定可充气内部区域的柔性盖; 与所述至少一个入口流体连通的气源; 位于所述气体源和所述至少一个入口之间的入口控制阀; 以及与所述至少一个出口流体连通的主动控制的压力释放阀。 入口控制阀和减压阀适于提供适用于车辆碰撞管理的响应。

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：US07267367B2

公开(公告)日：2007-09-11

申请号：US10815332

申请日：2004-04-01

申请人： William Barvosa-Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Cameron Massey

发明人： William Barvosa-Carter ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Cameron Massey

IPC分类号： B60R21/04

CPC分类号： B60R21/04 ,  B60R21/045

摘要： A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a shape memory foam disposed within an interior region, wherein the shape memory foam is adapted to expand to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. The shape memory foam is a material selected from the group consisting of shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory foam can be thermally activated to restore the original configuration of the energy absorbing assembly. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assembly are also disclosed.

摘要翻译： 一种可逆能量吸收组件，包括设置在内部区域内的形状记忆泡沫，其中所述形状记忆泡沫适于响应于与流体源的流体连通而扩展到扩展构型。 形状记忆泡沫是选自形状记忆合金和形状记忆聚合物的材料。 一旦膨胀，组件在与组件碰撞时有效地吸收物体的动能。 形状记忆泡沫可以被热激活以恢复能量吸收组件的原始构造。 还公开了操作能量吸收组件的方法。