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:
Dec. 07, 2010
Filed:
Mar. 12, 2008
Yueh-se J. Huang, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Houng Yue Chang, Canton, MI (US);
Phillip M. Turner, Montrose, MI (US);
Pei-chung Wang, Troy, MI (US);
Yueh-Se J. Huang, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Houng Yue Chang, Canton, MI (US);
Phillip M. Turner, Montrose, MI (US);
Pei-Chung Wang, Troy, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A closure assembly with a shape memory polymer seal is provided for use with a vehicle. The closure assembly includes a frame member configured for attachment to the vehicle body to selectively transition from a closed position to an open position. The seal structure includes a base portion elongated along and attached to a peripheral edge of the frame member or the vehicle body, and a flexible contact portion extending integrally from the base portion and configured for sealing communication with an opposing surface. A thermally-activated smart material (TASM), namely a shape memory polymer member, is disposed inside a cavity within the contact portion. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the TASM, and is characterized by a thermal differential when current flows therethrough. The TASM is activated in response to the thermal differential of the thermoelectric device, thereby altering at least one physical property of the TASM.