公开(公告)号：US20140060036A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-06

申请号：US13600337

申请日：2012-08-31

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B. Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F01P7/10 ,  F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating elements are commonly simpler and of lower mass than alternative actuator designs and may find particular application in the transportation industry. Such SMA-powered devices are usually reliable and long-lived but the phase transformations which occur in the SMA alloy and are responsible for its utility are not totally reversible. This irreversibility, a consequence of irrecoverable strain, may progressively degrade the long-term actuator performance as the irrecoverable strain accumulates over many operating cycles. Methods and devices for compensating for these effects and extending the useful cycle life of SMA actuators are described.

摘要翻译： 形状记忆合金（SMA）致动元件通常比替代致动器设计更简单并且质量更低，并且可以在运输行业中找到特定应用。 这种SMA供电的设备通常是可靠的和长寿命的，但SMA合金中发生的并且对其效用负责的相变不是完全可逆的。 这种不可逆转性是不可恢复的应变的结果，随着不可恢复的应变在许多操作循环中积累，可能逐渐降低长期致动器性能。 描述了用于补偿这些影响并延长SMA致动器的有用循环寿命的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US09021801B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-05

申请号：US13600337

申请日：2012-08-31

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B Churchill ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04 ,  F01P7/10 ,  F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F01P7/10 ,  F03G7/06 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating elements are commonly simpler and of lower mass than alternative actuator designs and may find particular application in the transportation industry. Such SMA-powered devices are usually reliable and long-lived but the phase transformations which occur in the SMA alloy and are responsible for its utility are not totally reversible. This irreversibility, a consequence of irrecoverable strain, may progressively degrade the long-term actuator performance as the irrecoverable strain accumulates over many operating cycles. Methods and devices for compensating for these effects and extending the useful cycle life of SMA actuators are described.

摘要翻译： 形状记忆合金（SMA）致动元件通常比替代致动器设计更简单并且质量更低，并且可以在运输行业中找到特定应用。 这种SMA供电的设备通常是可靠的和长寿命的，但SMA合金中发生的并且对其效用负责的相变不是完全可逆的。 这种不可逆转性是不可恢复的应变的结果，随着不可恢复的应变在许多操作循环中积累，可能逐渐降低长期致动器性能。 描述了用于补偿这些影响并延长SMA致动器的有用循环寿命的方法和装置。

公开(公告)号：US09067526B2

公开(公告)日：2015-06-30

申请号：US13616531

申请日：2012-09-14

申请人： Alan L. Browne ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B Churchill ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight

发明人： Alan L. Browne ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher B Churchill ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight

IPC分类号： G08B21/00 ,  B60Q9/00

CPC分类号： B60Q9/00 ,  F03G7/065

摘要： Mechanical devices powered by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires or other linear elements offer advantages in automotive applications. Such SMA-powered devices are commonly reliable and long-lived but have a finite lifetime. Measurements of the electrical resistivity of an SMA element during operation of the element may be related to the remaining lifetime of the element. Because operation of SMA elements is promoted by heating the element, usually by passage of an electric current, the resistivity measurements, and hence assessment of SMA element operation, may be made without interruption to the operation of the SMA-powered device and without addition of dedicated sensors.

摘要翻译： 由形状记忆合金（SMA）电线或其他线性元件供电的机械设备在汽车应用中提供了优势。 这种SMA功率器件通常是可靠且寿命长的，但具有有限的寿命。 在元件操作期间测量SMA元件的电阻率可能与元件的剩余寿命有关。 由于通常通过电流加热元件来促进SMA元件的操作，可以在不中断SMA功率器件的操作的情况下进行电阻率测量，从而评估SMA元件操作，并且不添加 专用传感器

公开(公告)号：US20110165981A1

公开(公告)日：2011-07-07

申请号：US12947860

申请日：2010-11-17

申请人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Patrick B. Usoro

发明人： Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Peter Maxwell Sarosi ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Patrick B. Usoro

IPC分类号： F16G1/22

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  F02G5/04 ,  F16G1/26 ,  F16H7/02 ,  Y02T10/166

摘要： An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component. The heat engine includes a belt, a first member, and a second member. The belt includes a strip of material and at least one wire at least partially embedded longitudinally in the strip of material. The wire includes a shape memory alloy material. A localized region of the at least one wire is configured to change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and either contract or expand longitudinally in response to exposure to a first temperature or a second temperature such that the strip of material corresponding to the localized region also contracts or expands. The first member is operatively connected to the belt and moves with the belt in response to the expansion or contraction of the belt. The component is operatively connected to the first member such that movement of the first member drives the component.

摘要翻译： 能量收集系统包括热机和部件。 热机包括皮带，第一部件和第二部件。 带包括一条材料条和至少部分地沿纵向地嵌入材料条中的线。 导线包括形状记忆合金材料。 所述至少一根导线的局部区域被配置为改变马氏体和奥氏体之间的结晶相，并且响应于暴露于第一温度或第二温度而纵向收缩或膨胀，使得对应于局部区域的材料条也收缩 或扩展。 第一构件可操作地连接到带并响应于带的膨胀或收缩而与带一起移动。 组件可操作地连接到第一构件，使得第一构件的移动驱动构件。

公开(公告)号：US08281585B2

公开(公告)日：2012-10-09

申请号：US12437768

申请日：2009-05-08

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.

摘要翻译： 致动器包括热活化的活性材料构件和外部元件，所述外部元件构造成选择性地接合所述构件并且呈现被配置为将热能传递到构件和/或从构件传递热能的预定热导率，以便减少致动周期或速率 致动后冷却，当接合时。

公开(公告)号：US08109087B2

公开(公告)日：2012-02-07

申请号：US12437867

申请日：2009-05-08

申请人： Patrick B. Usoro ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Kenneth A. Strom

发明人： Patrick B. Usoro ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Kenneth A. Strom

IPC分类号： F01B29/10 ,  F02G1/04

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element.

摘要翻译： 适合与形状记忆合金致动器元件一起使用的过热保护系统包括至少一个开关形状记忆合金元件，其具有比致动器元件的启动周期更慢的启动周期，并且构造成当致动器致动器 元素实际上或预计会经历过热; 以及包括所述系统的电路，其中所述开关元件和/或电路工具用于修改所述致动器元件的启动。

公开(公告)号：US20090277170A1

公开(公告)日：2009-11-12

申请号：US12437768

申请日：2009-05-08

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Nilesh D. Mankame ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Patrick B. Usoro ,  Nicholas William Pinto ,  Richard J. Skurkis ,  Paul W. Alexander

IPC分类号： F03G7/06

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.

摘要翻译： 致动器包括热活化的活性材料构件和外部元件，所述外部元件被配置为选择性地接合所述构件并且呈现被配置为将热能传递到构件和/或从构件传递热能的预定热导率，以便减少致动周期或速率 致动后冷却，当接合时。

公开(公告)号：US08766564B2

公开(公告)日：2014-07-01

申请号：US13251415

申请日：2011-10-03

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Lei Hao ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Alan L. Browne

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Lei Hao ,  Paul W. Alexander ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Alan L. Browne

IPC分类号： H02N10/00 ,  H02P3/00

CPC分类号： G05B19/404 ,  G05B2219/41032 ,  G05B2219/49206

摘要： A system for and method of reducing the effects of preheat period variation in shape memory alloy actuation, include sensing the removal of motion delay due to slack, backlash, and/or compliance in the actuator and drive-train of the system, and determining actuator activation, as a result thereof.

摘要翻译： 减小形状记忆合金致动中预热周期变化的影响的系统和方法包括感测由于系统的致动器和传动系中的松弛，间隙和/或顺应性而导致的运动延迟的消除，以及确定致动器 作为其结果的激活。

公开(公告)号：US08390305B2

公开(公告)日：2013-03-05

申请号：US13046748

申请日：2011-03-13

申请人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Sloan Smith

发明人： Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Xiujie Gao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Andrew C. Keefe ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Sloan Smith

IPC分类号： G01R27/08

CPC分类号： F03G7/065 ,  Y10T307/766

摘要： Systems for and methods of determining at least one mid-stroke position of an active material actuated load by causing a stress induced rapid change in electrical resistance within the active material element, or modifying an ancillary circuit, when the load is at the mid-stroke position(s).

摘要翻译： 用于确定活动材料致动负载的至少一个中间行程位置的系统和方法，当负载处于中间行程时，通过使应力引起活动材料元件内电阻的快速变化或修改辅助电路 职位。

公开(公告)号：US20120223727A1

公开(公告)日：2012-09-06

申请号：US13452597

申请日：2012-04-20

申请人： Xiujie Gao ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Lei Hao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

发明人： Xiujie Gao ,  Guillermo A. Herrera ,  Christopher P. Henry ,  Geoffrey P. McKnight ,  Lei Hao ,  Nancy L. Johnson ,  Alan L. Browne

IPC分类号： G01R27/08

CPC分类号： F03G7/065

摘要： A method of controlling and/or predicting the remaining useful life of an active material actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, includes obtaining historical actuation data of an inherent system variable, such as electrical resistance, over a secondary variable, such as time, determining a normal operating envelope having upper and lower bounds based on the data, determining a current profile for a given actuation cycle, and comparing the shape of the current profile to the envelope to determine an out-of-bounds event.

摘要翻译： 控制和/或预测诸如形状记忆合金线的活性材料致动器的剩余使用寿命的方法包括获得诸如电阻的固有系统变量的历史致动数据，例如次级变量，例如时间 ，基于所述数据确定具有上限和下限的正常操作包络，确定给定致动周期的当前轮廓，以及将所述当前轮廓的形状与所述包络进行比较以确定超出范围的事件。