Active material based closure hinge and alignment process
US7677639B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T292/1014
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An adjustable closure hinge assembly, includes a first hinge portion having a first aperture, a second hinge portion having a second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, a hinge member disposed in the first and second apertures for joining the first and second hinge portions, wherein the hinge member further comprises a spacer intermediate walls defining the first and second apertures and the hinge member, wherein the spacer comprises an active material, and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in at least one property of the active material, wherein the change in the at least one property is effective to provide up to six degrees of freedom to the hinge member and less than or equal to two degrees of freedom in the absence of the activation signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.