Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080272259 | Active material adaptive object holders - In an embodiment, a device comprises an active material. Activation of the active material causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain an object without engaging the object below a surface of the object. In another embodiment, contact with an object causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain the object. In yet another embodiment, an object holder can comprise: a recess, a cover disposed over the recess, and a switch configured to cause the active material to retain a deformed shape in the recess. The cover comprises an active material. The active material is configured to deform into the recess when contacted with an object. | 11-06-2008 |
20090058130 | Active material based concealment devices for seams - A device for concealing a seam between a first surface and a second surface includes a moveable body fixedly attached to a selected one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the moveable body is configured to transition between a first position and a second position to conceal and expose the seam, and an active material in operative communication with the moveable body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the moveable body from the first position to the second position. | 03-05-2009 |
20090058132 | Active material based concealment assemblies - A concealment assembly includes a component, a member configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to conceal the component and the second form is configured to expose the component, thereby making the component accessible for use, appearance, or function, and an active material in operable communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form. | 03-05-2009 |
20090061188 | Active Material Based Seam Concealment Devices and Methods of Use Thereof - A device for concealing a seam between a first surface and a second surface, the device includes a seam concealment body fixedly attached to a selected one or both of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the seam concealment body comprises an active material, wherein the active material is configured to transition between a first stiffness and a second stiffness upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the transition permits movement of a selected one or both of the first surface and the second surface such that the seam concealment body deforms with the movement of the surface to maintain concealment of the seam. | 03-05-2009 |
20110083921 | SYSTEMS FOR AND METHODS OF FACILITATING A LATERAL MANEUVER BY A VEHICLE - A system for and method of facilitating or enabling a lateral maneuver by a vehicle, including and utilizing a plurality of selectively engaged low friction components, such as rollers, bearings, balls, or high durometer high abrasion resistant low loss modulus rubber treads, and an actuator, such as at least one inflatable bladder, pivotal support strut, or active material element, drivenly coupled to the components. | 04-14-2011 |
20110121607 | METHOD OF USING AN ACTIVE MATERIAL BASED CONCEALMENT ASSEMBLY - A method of concealing a component is disclosed. The method includes positioning a member in operable communication with the component, wherein the member is configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to conceal the component and the second form is configured to expose the component. The method also includes activating an active material in operative communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in a property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form. | 05-26-2011 |
20120086151 | MOLD INSERT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - Embodiments of a mold insert assembly and methods of use are disclosed herein. A mold insert assembly includes, but is not limited to a driving member that moves between a retracting position and an extending position, a plurality of first-segment members engaging the driving member and moving between a first retracted position and a first extended position and a plurality of second-segment members proximate the plurality of first-segment members and configured to move between a second retracted position and a second extended position as the driving member moves to the extending position. The plurality of first-segment members and second-segment members cooperate to form a substantially liquid-tight periphery when the driving member is in the extending position. The plurality of first-segment members second-segment members are configured to move towards the first and second retracted positions, respectively when the driving member moves towards the retracting position. | 04-12-2012 |
20120261943 | ACTIVE MATERIAL BASED SEAM CONCEALMENT DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - A device for concealing a seam between a first abutting surface of a first article and a second abutting surface of a second article, the device includes a seam concealment body fixedly attached to a selected one or both of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface, wherein the seam concealment body comprises an active material, wherein the active material is configured to transition between a first stiffness and a second stiffness upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the transition permits movement of a selected one or both of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface such that the seam concealment body deforms with the movement of the surface to maintain concealment of the seam. | 10-18-2012 |
20120297763 | QUICK-RETURN ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATOR - A quick-return active material actuator adapted for more rapidly returning a load, so as to reduce the de-actuation time of a system, includes in a first aspect a thermally activated active material actuation element drivenly coupled to the load, an active material de-actuation element drivenly coupled to the load non-antagonistic to the actuation element, and a reconfigurable mechanism interconnecting the elements and load, wherein the de-actuation element and mechanism are cooperatively configured to return the load while the actuation element is still activated, and, in a second aspect a thermally activated active material actuation element drivenly coupled to a biased load and operable to autonomously release, so that the load is caused to be returned while the actuation element is still activated, and subsequently re-engage the load. | 11-29-2012 |