公开(公告)号：US08390305B2

公开(公告)日：2013-03-05

申请号：US13046748

申请日：2011-03-13

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

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

IPC分类号： G01R27/08

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  Y10T307/766

摘要： Systems for and methods of determining at least one mid-stroke position of an active material actuated load by causing a stress induced rapid change in electrical resistance within the active material element, or modifying an ancillary circuit, when the load is at the mid-stroke position(s).

摘要翻译： 用于确定活动材料致动负载的至少一个中间行程位置的系统和方法，当负载处于中间行程时，通过使应力引起活动材料元件内电阻的快速变化或修改辅助电路 职位。

公开(公告)号：US20120109573A1

公开(公告)日：2012-05-03

申请号：US12938683

申请日：2010-11-03

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

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

IPC分类号： G06F15/00 ,  F24J3/00 ,  G01N25/00

CPC分类号： G01N25/18

摘要： A method of sensing an ambient heat transfer condition surrounding a shape memory alloy element includes heating the shape memory alloy element, sensing the resistance of the shape memory alloy element, and measuring the period of time taken to heat the shape memory alloy element to a pre-determined level of a resistance characteristic. The ambient heat transfer condition surrounding the shape memory alloy element is calculated by referencing a relationship between the period of time taken to heat the shape memory alloy to the pre-determined level of the resistance characteristic and the ambient heat transfer condition.

摘要翻译： 检测形状记忆合金元件周围的环境传热条件的方法包括加热形状记忆合金元件，感测形状记忆合金元件的电阻，以及测量将形状记忆合金元件加热到预先形成的时间 确定电阻特性的水平。 通过参照将形状记忆合金加热所需的时间与预定的电阻特性水平和环境传热条件之间的关系来计算围绕形状记忆合金元件的环境传热条件。

公开(公告)号：US20110163769A1

公开(公告)日：2011-07-07

申请号：US13046748

申请日：2011-03-13

申请人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Sloan Smith

发明人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Sloan Smith

IPC分类号： G01R27/08 ,  H02P31/00 ,  H02N99/00 ,  G01J1/44

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  Y10T307/766

摘要： Systems for and methods of determining at least one mid-stroke position of an active material actuated load by causing a stress induced rapid change in electrical resistance within the active material element, or modifying an ancillary circuit, when the load is at the mid-stroke position(s).

摘要翻译： 用于确定活动材料致动负载的至少一个中间行程位置的系统和方法，当负载处于中间行程时，通过使应力引起活动材料元件内电阻的快速变化或修改辅助电路 职位。

公开(公告)号：US20120223727A1

公开(公告)日：2012-09-06

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： G01R27/08

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：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：US20090074993A1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-19

申请号：US11856744

申请日：2007-09-18

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

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

IPC分类号： B32B3/28

CPC分类号： B60J1/2033 ,  B60J1/2016 ,  B60J1/2019 ,  B60J1/2041 ,  B60J1/2044 ,  B60J1/2055 ,  Y10T428/239

摘要： In one embodiment, a cover system can comprise: a cover and an active material component in operable communication with the cover. The active material component can comprise an active material that enables the deployment and retraction of the cover.

摘要翻译： 在一个实施例中，盖系统可以包括：盖和与盖可操作地连通的活动材料部件。 活性材料组分可以包括能够使覆盖物展开和缩回的活性材料。

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：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：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。

公开(公告)号：US08281585B2

公开(公告)日：2012-10-09

申请号：US12437768

申请日：2009-05-08

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.

摘要翻译： 致动器包括热活化的活性材料构件和外部元件，所述外部元件构造成选择性地接合所述构件并且呈现被配置为将热能传递到构件和/或从构件传递热能的预定热导率，以便减少致动周期或速率 致动后冷却，当接合时。