The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 27, 2009
Filed:
Jan. 19, 2006
Mark W. Verbrugge, Troy, MI (US);
Jihui Yang, Lakeshore, CA;
Yang T. Cheng, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Michael J. Lukitsch, Marysville, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nilesh D. Mankame, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Mark W. Verbrugge, Troy, MI (US);
Jihui Yang, Lakeshore, CA;
Yang T. Cheng, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Michael J. Lukitsch, Marysville, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nilesh D. Mankame, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A fixture device generally includes a base member, a reconfigurable pad comprising a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece, and a thermoelectric unit in operative communication with the shape memory material of the reconfigurable pad. A process for operating a fixture device includes passing a current in a first direction through a thermoelectric unit in operative communication with a reconfigurable pad in an amount effective to heat a shape memory material therein to or above a shape setting temperature, contacting a surface of a workpiece with the reconfigurable pad, cooling the shape memory material below the shape setting temperature, and fixturing the workpiece with the fixture device.