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:
Nov. 04, 2014
Filed:
Oct. 05, 2011
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Michael E. Nishek, Ortonville, MI (US);
James Holbrook Brown, Temecula, CA (US);
Xiujie Gao, Troy, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Michael E. Nishek, Ortonville, MI (US);
James Holbrook Brown, Temecula, CA (US);
Xiujie Gao, Troy, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Dynalloy, Inc., Costa Mesa, CA (US);
Abstract
A baffle controller for moving a baffle disposed within an HVAC outlet housing between an open position and a closed position to control airflow through an HVAC outlet in a vehicle includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator that is controlled and actuated by an electrical signal. The SMA actuator rotates a main lever that rotates a valve plate. The valve plate is attached to the baffle such that the baffle rotates with the valve plate. The baffle controller may include a position biasing device that increases a position holding ability of the baffle controller, and a cut-off switch that interrupts the electrical signal to the SMA actuator to prevent over-rotating the baffle.