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:
Feb. 07, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2005
Geoffrey P. Mcknight, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Cameron Massey, Hawthorne, CA (US);
William Barvosa-carter, Ventura, CA (US);
Christopher P. Henry, Newbury Park, CA (US);
Guillermo A. Herrera, Winnetka, CA (US);
Andrew C. Keefe, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Geoffrey P. McKnight, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Cameron Massey, Hawthorne, CA (US);
William Barvosa-Carter, Ventura, CA (US);
Christopher P. Henry, Newbury Park, CA (US);
Guillermo A. Herrera, Winnetka, CA (US);
Andrew C. Keefe, Santa Monica, CA (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors employ active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active materials actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, or a combination of modulus and shape in response to an activation signal. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.