Servo system augmented with an active material component

US7797933B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Nilesh D. Mankame · Ann Arbor, US
• Norman K. Bucknor · Troy, US
• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Paul W. Alexander · Ypsilanti, US
• Brian W. Whitmarsh · Commerce, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• Stephen W. Powell · South Lyon, US
• Patrick B. Usoro · Troy, US
• Xiujie Gao · Troy, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 16, 2008
• Grant date: Sep 21, 2010
• Expiry date: Feb 20, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16H63/48
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A servo system includes pressurized fluid, and one or more fluid control devices (FCD) such as a valve or actuator, with at least one FCD having an element with a variable property that varies in response to a stimulus. The FCD controls a flow rate or pressure transmission of the fluid within the servo system. The element may include an active return spring having a variable stiffness. The servo system may operate as an interlock system for a transmission. A method for moving an output load using a servo system includes providing a first FCD with an active element, connecting an output load to a second FCD, activating the active element with a stimulus to vary a property of the active element, transmitting a force from the pressurized fluid to the second FCD, and moving the output load from a first position to a second position in response to the force.