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:
Jun. 03, 2014
Filed:
Jul. 07, 2011
Xiujie Gao, Troy, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Paul W. Alexander, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Wayne Brown, Costa Mesa, CA (US);
Xiujie Gao, Troy, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Paul W. Alexander, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Wayne Brown, Costa Mesa, CA (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Dynalloy, Inc, Costa Mesa, CA (US);
Abstract
A device and method for controlling a phase transformation temperature of a shape memory alloy is provided. The device includes a primary wire composed of the shape memory alloy. The primary wire defines first and second ends, the first end being attached to a fixed structure and the second end being able to displace. An activation source is thermally coupled to the wire and is operable to selectively cause the primary wire to reversibly transform from a Martensitic phase to an Austenitic phase during a cycle. A loading element is operatively connected to the primary wire and configured to selectively increase a tensile load on the primary wire when an ambient temperature is at or above a threshold temperature, thereby increasing the phase transformation temperature of the primary wire.