| DYNALLOY, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120126551 | CLOSURE LATCH AND RELEASE MECHANISM - A latch assembly includes a forkbolt movable between a released position, allowing opening of a closure, and a restrained position, preventing opening of the closure. A forkbolt spring is configured to bias the forkbolt toward the released position. A primary detent is mounted with respect to the forkbolt and movable between an open position, allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position, and a closed position, not allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position. A secondary detent is movable between an unlocked position, allowing the primary detent to move into the open position, and a locked position, preventing the primary detent from moving into the open position. An actuator selectively moves the secondary detent from the locked position to the unlocked position. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20110175474 | COMPACT ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATED TRANSMISSIONS FOR DRIVING MULTIPLE OUTPUT LOADS FROM A SINGLE PRIMARY ACTUATOR - Power is selectively transferred from a primary actuator to one of a plurality of output shafts with a transmission including a plurality of output members coupled to an input member, the input member being coupled to the primary actuator. A first active material actuator includes a mechanical coupling feature coupling one of the plurality of output shafts to one of the plurality of output members when the active material actuator is activated. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110140456 | Shape-Memory Alloy-Driven Power Plant and Method - A power plant configured for converting thermal energy to electricity includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a primary fluid having a first temperature and a secondary fluid having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The plant also includes a collector configured for enhancing the temperature difference between the primary and secondary fluids, and a heat engine configured for converting at least some thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a pseudoplastically pre-strained shape-memory alloy disposed in heat exchange relationship with each of the primary and secondary fluids. Further, the plant includes a generator driven by the heat engine and configured for converting mechanical energy to electricity. A method of utilizing a naturally-occurring temperature difference between air and/or water to change a crystallographic phase of the shape-memory alloy to convert the temperature difference into mechanical energy is disclosed. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110138800 | Electricity-Generating Heat Conversion Device and System - A heat conversion device configured for generating electricity and converting thermal energy includes a heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a pseudoplastically pre-strained shape-memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite in response to thermal energy from a temperature difference between fluids of less than or equal to about 300° C. The heat engine also includes a generator driven by the heat engine and configured for converting mechanical energy to electricity. A heat conversion system configured for generating electricity and converting thermal energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference of less than or equal to about 300° C. between a primary fluid having a first temperature and a secondary fluid having a second temperature that is different from the first temperature, and the heat conversion device. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20100330894 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTIVE HATCH VENT - A vent assembly is disposed within an interior space of a vehicle for opening and closing fluid communication between the interior space and an exterior of the vehicle. The vent assembly includes a housing defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of vanes disposed in the openings. An actuator mechanism moves the vanes between an open position and a closed position, and includes a shaped memory alloy (SMA) member for actuating the vanes between the open and closed positions. The SMA member is activated when a hatch of the vehicle is open to move the vanes into the open position and thereby open fluid communication between the interior space and the exterior to alleviate excessive air pressure buildup during closure of the hatch. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100253124 | ACTIVE MATERIAL HEAD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY - A head restraint assembly is provided that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The head restraint assembly includes a support member and a deployable member. A link is rotatably mounted with respect to the support member and the deployable member. A shaft is mounted to the link for rotation therewith. The active material is actuatable to rotate the shaft and thereby cause the deployable member to move from its retracted position to its deployed position. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100237632 | ELECTRICALLY-ACTIVATED HOOD LATCH AND RELEASE MECHANISM - A latch assembly includes a latch movable between released and restrained positions and a latch spring biasing toward the released position. A first lever is movable between open and closed positions, corresponding to the released and restrained positions, respectively. A first lever spring biases toward the closed position. A second lever is movable between unlocked and locked positions, corresponding to the first lever open and closed positions, respectively. A second lever spring biases toward the locked position. An active material based actuator selectively moves the second lever from the locked to unlocked position in response to an activation signal. A primary activation mechanism selectively produces the activation signal without a mechanical connection to the passenger compartment. An auxiliary activation mechanism does not rely on the vehicle power system. A key or portable energy storage device may cause the activation signal from the primary or auxiliary activation mechanism. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100140976 | PIVOTALLY DEPLOYABLE AIR DAM UTILIZING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATION - An active air dam adapted for use with a vehicle, includes a deflector pivotally translatable relative to the vehicle, so as to be caused to achieve stowed and deployed conditions, wherein the deflector, when in the deployed condition, is configured to occlude air flow beneath the vehicle, and further includes an active material actuator comprising an active material drivenly coupled to the deflector, and configured to cause the deflector to pivot to one of the stowed and deployed conditions as a result of activating the material, and the vehicle is preferably configured to cause the actuator to pivot the deflector when a pre-determined vehicle or external condition is detected. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100112924 | ACTIVE MATERIAL ENABLED PRESSURE RELEASE VALVES AND METHODS OF USE - A pressure relief valve includes a housing and vane that is movable to one of an open position and a closed position. A linear actuator mechanically couples between the movable vane and the housing. The linear actuator is a wire device fabricated from a shape memory alloy. An actuable latching system is configured to retain the movable vane in one of the open position and the closed position for an indeterminate time period. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20080252112 | ACTIVE MATERIAL HEAD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY - A head restraint assembly is provided that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The head restraint assembly includes a support member and a deployable member. A link is rotatably mounted with respect to the support member and the deployable member. A shaft is mounted to the link for rotation therewith. The active material is actuatable to rotate the shaft and thereby cause the deployable member to move from its retracted position to its deployed position. | 10-16-2008 |
