公开(公告)号：US20120046791A1

公开(公告)日：2012-02-23

申请号：US12860937

申请日：2010-08-23

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Robert B. Gorbet ,  Hien K. Goi ,  Eric Gregory Kubica ,  Mohamed El Dib ,  Vidyashankar R. Buravalla ,  Ashish Khandelwal

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Robert B. Gorbet ,  Hien K. Goi ,  Eric Gregory Kubica ,  Mohamed El Dib ,  Vidyashankar R. Buravalla ,  Ashish Khandelwal

IPC分类号： G05B15/02

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： A method of improving the speed and consistency of response of a shape memory alloy actuator under varying ambient and operating conditions. The method includes probing the shape memory alloy by periodically determining an electric signal strength at which it will undergo forward or reverse phase transformation, while avoiding actual phase transformation; priming the shape memory alloy by bringing it close to phase transformation; initiating phase transformation; and maintaining the shape memory alloy in the phase transformed state. The electric signal strength at which the shape memory alloy will undergo phase transformation is determined by identifying a cusp feature in the electric resistance of the shape memory alloy which closely precedes phase transformation.

摘要翻译： 一种改善形状记忆合金致动器在不同环境和操作条件下的响应速度和响应一致性的方法。 该方法包括通过周期性地确定其将进行正向或反向相变的电信号强度来探测形状记忆合金，同时避免实际的相变; 通过使形状记忆合金接近相变来启动; 引发相变; 并将形状记忆合金保持在相变状态。 形状记忆合金将进行相变的电信号强度通过识别紧密相变之前的形状记忆合金的电阻中的尖点特征来确定。

公开(公告)号：US20090277169A1

公开(公告)日：2009-11-12

申请号：US12437867

申请日：2009-05-08

申请人： Patrick B. Usoro ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Kenneth A. Strom

发明人： Patrick B. Usoro ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Kenneth A. Strom

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element.

摘要翻译： 适合与形状记忆合金致动器元件一起使用的过热保护系统包括至少一个开关形状记忆合金元件，其具有比致动器元件的启动周期更慢的启动周期，并且构造成当致动器致动器 元素实际上或预计会经历过热; 以及包括所述系统的电路，其中所述开关元件和/或电路工具用于修改所述致动器元件的启动。

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：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：US20090267339A1

公开(公告)日：2009-10-29

申请号：US12427868

申请日：2009-04-22

申请人： Patrick B. Usoro ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Steven G. Corrion ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Lawrence C. Maugh ,  William B. Carter ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight

发明人： Patrick B. Usoro ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Steven G. Corrion ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Lawrence C. Maugh ,  William B. Carter ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight

IPC分类号： B60R22/34

CPC分类号： B60R22/4676 ,  B60R2022/4685

摘要： A seat belt retractor utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tension in a seat belt.

摘要翻译： 一种安全带卷收器，利用活性材料致动来选择性地改变安全带中的张力。

公开(公告)号：US20130081933A1

公开(公告)日：2013-04-04

申请号：US13250317

申请日：2011-09-30

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

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

IPC分类号： H01H5/18 ,  H01L41/04 ,  H01L41/09 ,  F03G7/06

CPC分类号： H01L41/09 ,  F03G7/06 ,  G05G1/02 ,  G05G5/06 ,  H01H5/30 ,  H01L41/04 ,  H01L41/0926

摘要： A reconfigurable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable panel laterally disposed between and connected to one or more mounting members directly or indirectly connected to opposing ends of the panel, with the panel maintained under compressive force along at least one vector extending between the opposing ends. The compressive force deforms the panel into a one of two stable deformed positions, with the device disposed such that the panel may be moved between each of the two stable deformed positions by application of manual force to one of two opposing faces of the panel. A first shape memory alloy (SMA) or piezo actuator member is connected to the panel, the actuator member being capable of moving the panel from a first one of the two stable deformed positions to a second one of the two stable deformed positions.

摘要翻译： 可重构双稳态装置包括横向设置在直接或间接连接到面板的相对端的一个或多个安装构件之间并且连接到面板的相对端部之间并连接到面板的相对端部的弹性变形板，其中面板沿着在相对端之间延伸的至少一个矢量保持在压缩力 。 压缩力使面板变形为两个稳定的变形位置之一，其中该装置设置成使得面板可以通过对面板的两个相对面之一施加手动力而在两个稳定的变形位置中的每一个之间移动。 第一形状记忆合金（SMA）或压电致动器构件连接到面板，致动器构件能够将面板从两个稳定变形位置中的第一个移动到两个稳定变形位置中的第二个。

公开(公告)号：US20090047197A1

公开(公告)日：2009-02-19

申请号：US11839764

申请日：2007-08-16

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Norman K. Bucknor ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  William Barvosa-Carter ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Guillermo A. Herrera

IPC分类号： B01J19/08 ,  B01J19/00

CPC分类号： F16D69/00 ,  F16D28/00 ,  F16D65/0031 ,  F16D2069/004 ,  F16D2069/005

摘要： A device for selectively controlling and varying surface texture includes a body having at least one surface, and an active material in operative communication with the at least one surface, 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 a texture of the at least one surface.

摘要翻译： 用于选择性地控制和改变表面纹理的装置包括具有至少一个表面的主体和与所述至少一个表面可操作地连通的活动材料，其中所述活性材料被配置为在接收到激活时经历属性变化 信号，其中属性的变化对于改变至少一个表面的纹理是有效的。

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：US20120216527A1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-30

申请号：US13340964

申请日：2011-12-30

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Chirstopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keffe ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Jeffrey W. Brown ,  James Ryan Yates

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  John Andrew Shaw ,  Chirstopher Burton Churchill ,  Andrew C. Keffe ,  Geoffrey P. Mc Knight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Jeffrey W. Brown ,  James Ryan Yates

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065 ,  Y10S420/902

摘要： A heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley and a second rotatable pulley spaced from the first rotatable pulley. A shape memory alloy (SMA) element is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at an SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element includes a first wire, a second wire, and a matrix joining the first wire and the second wire. The first wire and the second wire are in contact with the pulleys, but the matrix is not in contact with the pulleys. A timing cable is disposed about respective portions of the pulleys at a timing pulley ratio, which is different than the SMA pulley ratio. The SMA element converts a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region into mechanical energy.

摘要翻译： 热引擎包括与第一可旋转滑轮间隔开的第一可旋转滑轮和第二可旋转滑轮。 形状记忆合金（SMA）元件以SMA滑轮比围绕滑轮的各个部分设置。 SMA元件包括第一线，第二线和连接第一线和第二线的矩阵。 第一线和第二线与滑轮接触，但是矩阵不与滑轮接触。 定时电缆以与SMA滑轮比不同的正时皮带轮比例布置在滑轮的各个部分周围。 SMA元件将热区域和冷区域之间的热能梯度转换为机械能。