Adjustable shims and washers
US7655170B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16J15/068
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer upon a first surface; wherein the active device is operative to change at least one physical attribute in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to substantially decrease its modulus, contacting and compressing the active device with a second surface, and cooling the device to set a compressed geometry. In another embodiment, a method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer in a gap between two opposing surfaces; wherein the active device is operative to exhibit a memorized shape in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to increase a dimension of the active device; filling the gap between the opposing surfaces, and cooling the device to set a new gap filling dimension.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.