Closure lockdown assemblies and methods utilizing active materials
US7029056B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T70/5903
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
In combination with a vehicle and a closure, one or more lockdown regions disposed between the closure and the vehicle body, the one or more lockdown includes a device including an active material disposed in operative communication with the closure and the vehicle body, wherein the active material includes a shape memory alloy, a magnetic shape memory material, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device coupled to the active material, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the active material and effectuate a change in a dimension, a shape, and/or a flexural modulus property of the active material, wherein the change in the dimension, a shape, and/or flexural modulus of the active material locks down or releases the closure from the vehicle. Such active materials include shape memory alloys, magnetic shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, shape memory polymers, magnetorheological fluids, magnetorheological elasto…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.