Abstract:
A mold for molding a composite preform that has an outer edge thereabout and a plurality of tethers each attached at respective opposed ends thereof to the outer edge. The mold includes first and second mold halves defining a mold body and being configured to transition between an open position and a generally closed position, and a plurality of moveable members each having a moveable gage pin configured for being wrapped thereabout by a respective one of the tethers and a respective actuator configured for moving the moveable gage pin between a respective first position in which the respective moveable gage pin is disposed at a respective first distance from a center of the mold body and a respective second position in which the respective moveable gage pin is disposed at a respective second distance from the center of the mold body that is less than the first distance.
Abstract:
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 opened 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.
Abstract:
A vehicle includes an apparatus for performing a method of controlling a pressure within a battery. The battery is disclosed between a support plate at a first side of the battery and a pressure plate disposed at a second side of the battery opposite the first side. The pressure plate is movable with respect to the support plate to control the pressure of the battery and including a first plate wedge. The first actuator wedge is moved parallel to the pressure plate with the first actuator wedge in contact with the first plate wedge to control a force applied by the first actuator wedge to the first plate wedge to move the pressure plate with respect to the support plate. Moving the pressure plate controls the pressure within the battery.
Abstract:
A robotic system includes a tendon-driven end effector, a linear actuator, a flexible tendon, and a plate assembly. The linear actuator assembly has a servo motor and a drive mechanism, the latter of which translates linearly with respect to a drive axis of the servo motor in response to output torque from the servo motor. The tendon connects to the end effector and drive mechanism. The plate assembly is disposed between the linear actuator assembly and the tendon-driven end effector and includes first and second plates. The first plate has a first side that defines a boss with a center opening. The second plate defines an arcuate through-slot having tendon guide channels. The first plate defines a through passage for the tendon between the center opening and a second side of the first plate. A looped end of the flexible tendon is received within the tendon guide channels.
Abstract:
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 opened 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.
Abstract:
A robotic system includes a tendon-driven end effector, a linear actuator, a flexible tendon, and a plate assembly. The linear actuator assembly has a servo motor and a drive mechanism, the latter of which translates linearly with respect to a drive axis of the servo motor in response to output torque from the servo motor. The tendon connects to the end effector and drive mechanism. The plate assembly is disposed between the linear actuator assembly and the tendon-driven end effector and includes first and second plates. The first plate has a first side that defines a boss with a center opening. The second plate defines an arcuate through-slot having tendon guide channels. The first plate defines a through passage for the tendon between the center opening and a second side of the first plate. A looped end of the flexible tendon is received within the tendon guide channels.
Abstract:
A battery pack having a plurality of battery modules is provided. Each of the plurality of battery modules includes a thermally conductive frame having a plurality of apertures and a plurality of battery cells, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells is disposed in one of the plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of battery modules also includes a heating element disposed on a top of the thermally conductive frame and a cooling plate disposed on a bottom of the thermally conductive frame. The thermally conductive frame includes a plurality of cooling ribbons disposed between at least two of the plurality of apertures, wherein each of the plurality of cooling ribbons extend from top of the thermally conductive frame to the bottom of the thermally conductive frame.
Abstract:
A vehicle, a pressure control device and method for controlling a pressure within a battery of the vehicle. The pressure control device includes a support plate, a pressure plate and an actuator. The pressure plate is configured to move with respect to the support plate. The battery is disposed between the support plate and the pressure plate. The actuator changes between a first shape and a second shape to move the pressure plate with respect to the support plate to control the pressure within the battery.