The Boeing Company

Thomas H Martig

John Ralph Hull

Michael Strasik

Frederick Theodore Calkins

Tony Koung

Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

Motion-damping systems and methods including the same

Ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators include a ratcheting assembly that is operatively coupled to a first bracket and a shape memory alloy element that is operatively coupled to the ratcheting assembly and to a second bracket. The first bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a first structure, while the second bracket is configured to be operatively coupled to a second structure. The shape memory alloy element is configured to apply a motive force to the ratcheting assembly upon deformation between a first conformation and a second conformation. The ratcheting assembly is configured to utilize the motive force to selectively adjust an orientation of the first structure relative to the second structure.

Ratcheting shape memory alloy actuators and systems and methods including the same

Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems include a flexible body that is configured to extend within a gap that is defined between a base structure and an attached component. The motion-damping systems further include a magnetic assembly and a ferromagnetic body. One of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is located within the flexible body and the other of the magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body is operatively affixed to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly and the ferromagnetic body are oriented such that a magnetic force therebetween retains the flexible body in physical contact with the selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The methods include methods of installing and/or operating the motion-dampening systems.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Thomas H Martig