公开(公告)号：US07350851B2

公开(公告)日：2008-04-01

申请号：US11075384

申请日：2005-03-08

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

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

IPC分类号： B60R27/00

CPC分类号： B60R19/20 ,  B60N2/42709 ,  B60N2/914 ,  B60R21/04 ,  B60R2021/0407 ,  B60R2021/0421 ,  F16F7/121 ,  F16F2224/0258

摘要： A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a cellular lattice comprising a shape memory material disposed within an expandable interior region of the assembly, wherein the shape memory material is adapted to expand from a first configuration to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory material can be thermally activated to restore the first 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，包括包括设置在所述组件的可扩展内部区域内的形状记忆材料的蜂窝格子，其中所述形状记忆材料适于响应于与流体源的流体连通而从第一构型扩展到扩张构型 。 一旦膨胀，组件在与组件碰撞时有效地吸收物体的动能。 形状记忆材料可被热激活以恢复能量吸收组件的第一构型。 还公开了操作能量吸收组件的方法。

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。

公开(公告)号：US07118652B2

公开(公告)日：2006-10-10

申请号：US10983329

申请日：2004-11-05

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

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

IPC分类号： B60J1/00

CPC分类号： B62D35/00 ,  B62D35/005 ,  B62D35/007

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：US07429074B2

公开(公告)日：2008-09-30

申请号：US11086469

申请日：2004-11-05

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

发明人： Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  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.

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：US07108316B2

公开(公告)日：2006-09-19

申请号：US10918740

申请日：2004-08-13

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

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

IPC分类号： B60R21/04

CPC分类号： B60R21/04

摘要： Reversibly deployable energy absorbing assemblies for impact management generally include a translatable first element, a rigid support structure and a second element having one end fixedly attached to the rigid support structure and an other end fixedly attached to the translatable first element. The second elements are adapted to plastically deform along a predefined buckling path. The predefined buckling path may be uni-modal or multi-modal depending on the desired application and/or impact conditions. Also disclosed herein are methods for operating the energy absorbing assemblies.

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：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：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：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。