Door actuation systems

US7971393B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Xiujie Gao · Troy, US
• James H. Shoemaker · White Lake, US
• Paul W. Alexander · Ypsilanti, US
• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• Nilesh D. Mankame · Ann Arbor, US
• Louise E. Stauffer · Bloomfield Hills, US
• Robert Louis Vitale · Macomb Township, US
• Jack L. Bailey · Center Line, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 30, 2007
• Grant date: Jul 5, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 5, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S292/72
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A door system includes a structural member and a door that is movably mounted with respect to the structural member for movement between an open position and a closed position. A spring is mounted with respect to the structural member or the door and being sufficiently positioned to bias the door toward its open position when the door is in its closed position. Active material based actuators may selectively compress the spring prior to door closure to minimize door closing effort.