Patents abstracts

Citation

(2012), "Patents abstracts", Assembly Automation, Vol. 32 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2012.03332aaa.007

Patents abstracts

Article Type: Patents abstracts From: Assembly Automation, Volume 32, Issue 1

Title: Shape-changing structure with superelastic foam materialApplicant: Raytheon Co (USA)Publication number: EP 2296963 (A1)Publication date: 23 March 2011

Abstract: A shape-changing structure has a superelastic metal foam structural member that changes shape (morphs) to change configuration of the structure. The superelastic metal foam structural member changes shape while maintaining a continuous outer surface, with the continuous metal foam material inside the outer surface expanding, contracting, or otherwise changing shape. The superelastic metal foam material may be heated above a transition temperature to allow it to change shape, and then cooled to cause it to increase in strength, more easily maintaining its new shape. The superelastic metal foam material may be a suitable alloy, for example, a nickel titanium alloy, that exhibits superelastic (pseudo-elastic) behavior. The superelastic metal foam material may be a shape memory alloy material that returns to a set shape upon moderate heating. The superelastic metal elastic foam structural member may be heated either by an internal heat source or by external heating.

Title: Magnetoelectric surgical tools for minimally invasive surgeryInventor: Sundaresan Vishnu-Baba (USA), Atulasimha Jayasimha (USA), Clarke Joshua (USA)Publication number: US 2011077663 (A1)Publication date: 31 March 2011

Abstract: A magnetoelectric element of a surgical tool positioned in the body of a subject is controllably bent or elongated under the influence of an applied magnetic field. A piezoelectric layer in the magnetoelectric element provides output that can be used to determine the actual amount of bending or elongation of the magnetoelectric element, and this actual amount is compared to a theoretical amount of bending or elongation which would result from the applied magnetic field. Any differences between the actual and theoretical amounts provide feedback to the surgeon for performing the surgical procedure. Preferably, tactile feedback is provided to the surgeon.

Title: Haptic device using electroactive polymerApplicant: Immersion Corp.Publication number: JP 2010182315 (A)Publication date: 19 August 2010

Problem to be solved. To provide a haptic feedback interface device using an electroactive polymer (EAP) to provide a haptic sensation and/or a sensing capability.

Solution. The haptic feedback interface device is in communication with a host computer and includes a sensor device that detects the manipulation of the interface device by a user and an EAP actuator responsive to input signals and operative to output a force to the user caused by motion of the actuator. The output force provides a haptic sensation to the user. Various embodiments of interface devices employing EAP actuators are described, including embodiments providing direct forces, inertial forces, and braking forces. The haptic feedback interface device further includes a button to output the haptic feedback force through the bottom.

Title: Magnetorheological actuator with multiple functionsApplicant: Univ. Hong Kong Chinese (CN); Liao Wei Hsin (CN); Guo Hongtao (CN)Publication number: WO 2010102575 (A1)Publication date: 16 September 2010

An actuator comprises a motor/generator element and a clutch/brake element. The motor/generator element comprises a stator made of a high magnetic permeable material, an outer coil wound around the stator, a rotor made of a high magnetic permeable material and with a plurality of permanent magnets fixed thereon, and a cavity configured to accommodate a fluid. The clutch/brake element is provided in the cavity. An inner coil, is wound around the clutch/brake element. The fluid is capable of producing a shear stress in response to an electromagnetic field induced by the inner coil.

Title: Magnetic shape memory alloy material comprising nickel, manganese, gallium and cobalt in a composition, useful, e.g. to implement a control and/or sensor device for automotive engineering, industrial or medical and/or measurement technologyApplicant: ETO Magnetic GmbH (DE)Publication number: DE 102010032689 (A1)Publication date: 16 June 2011

Abstract: Magnetic shape memory alloy material with a Curie temperature and a phase transition temperature of a martensitic to an austenitic phase comprising nickel, manganese, gallium and cobalt in a composition, is claimed. Magnetic shape memory alloy material with a Curie temperature and a phase transition temperature of a martensitic to an austenitic phase comprising nickel, manganese, gallium and cobalt in a composition of formula (Ni aMn bGa cCo dFe eCu f) (I), is claimed, where: the value of a-f is given in atom percent; the value of d is adjusted so that the Curie temperature and the phase transition temperature is greater than 65°C; and a molded body produced from the material exhibits a free magnetic-field-induced strain of greater than 0.1 per cent to achieve a magnetic field-induced strain at a magnetic field impact of at most 2T at 65°C. a: 44-51; b: 19-30; c: 18-24; d: 0.1-15; and e, f: 0-14.9, where d+e + f is=15, and a+b + c + d + e + f is 100. An independent claim is included for a shape memory element, made from the material for use as an actuator element in an actuator and/or as a sensor element in a sensor.

Title: Process for preparing self-healing composite materials of high efficiency for structural applicationsApplicant: Alenia Aeronautica S.p.A (IT)Publication number: EP2325254 (A1)Publication date: 25 May 2011

Abstract: The process is intended for preparing a self-healing composite material comprising a matrix of epoxy polymer in which a catalyst of ring-opening metathesis reaction and vessels containing at least one monomer able to polymerize due to a ring-opening metathesis reaction are dispersed. The process comprises the preliminary step of dispersing at molecular level the catalyst in a mixture containing at least one precursor of the epoxy polymer, and then the steps of dispersing, in the mixture, the vessels and a tertiary amine acting as curing agent of the precursor, and the step of curing the mixture by at least a first-heating stage performed at a temperature between 70 and 90°C for a time between 1 and 5 h, and a second-heating stage performed at a temperature between 90 and 170°C for a time between 2 and 3 h.

Title: Mountable arm smart material actuator and energy harvesting apparatusApplicant: Viking AT LLC (US); Moler Jeffery B. (USA)Publication number: WO 2011006164 (A2)Publication date: 13 January 2011

Abstract: A smart material actuator comprising a mechanical amplifier with a fixed supporting member, at least one mountable actuating arm, and mechanical web having at least one compliant member attached to the mountable arm and a movable supporting member. A piezoelectric stack is affixed between a first-mounting surface on the fixed supporting member and a second-mounting surface on the movable supporting member. With the fixed supporting member being substantially rigid, and the piezoelectric stack being affixed between the first-mounting surface and the second-mounting surface, which are substantially parallel, applying an appropriate electric potential to the piezoelectric stack will cause it to expand substantially without angular movement. The expansion urges the second-mounting surface away from the first, thereby causing the compliant members of the mechanical web to flex, thereby moving the mountable actuating arm. The configuration of the web and the length of the mountable arm cause the actuating end of the arm to move across a distance greater than the expansion of the piezoelectric stack. In this way, the expansion of the stack is effectively amplified by the mechanical amplifier. Actuators of this type may be used both to create mechanical motion from electrical energy and to harvest electrical energy from mechanical motion, or sense the degree of such motion. A number of arm designs and means of attachment to external components are disclosed, in addition to methods of generating electricity from mechanical motion and generating vibration using such actuators and methods of tuning the resonant frequency and increasing the efficiency of energy harvesting through resonant operation.

Title: Three-dimensional electroactive polymer actuated devicesApplicant: Artificial Muscle Inc. (USA)Publication number: US 2010164329 (A1)Publication date: 1 July 2010

Abstract: Devices employing electroactive polymer actuators are disclosed. Acrylic dielectric material-based actuators are optionally provided in which architectures are presented that allow for improved power output as compared with other known acrylic dielectric material-based transducers. Such technology may be applied in motor-driven applications, lightweight flight applications and lighting applications among others.

Title: Methods and systems for processing materials, including shape memory materialsApplicant: Khan Mohammad Ibrahem (CA); Zhou Yunhong Norman (CA)Publication number: WO 2011014962 (A1)Publication date: 10 February 2011

A method for treating a material comprising: applying energy to a predetermined portion of the material in a controlled manner such that the local chemistry of the predetermined portion is altered to provide a predetermined result. When the material is a shape memory material, the predetermined result may be to provide an additional memory to the predetermined portion or to alter the pseudo-elastic properties of the shape memory material. In other examples, which are not necessarily restricted to shape memory materials, the process may be used to adjust the concentration of components at the surface to allow the formation of an oxide layer at the surface of the material to provide corrosion resistance, to remove contaminants from the material, to adjust surface texture, or to generate at least one additional phase particle in the material to provide a nucleation site for grain growth, which in turn, can strengthen the material.