Patents by Inventor Richard J. Skurkis
Richard J. Skurkis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20120239183Abstract: A mechanical system for selectively moving a load a motive distance comprises an actuator operable for applying a force to the load. The actuator includes an active material element having a variable property. A controller is connected to the actuator and operable for sending a first stimulus to the actuator to shift the actuator from a first state to a second state. The second state is associated with detecting the onset of actuation for the actuator. The controller is operable to send the priming stimulus level to the actuator to shift it to the primed state. The actuator includes a priming device operable for determining the onset of actuation of the first active material element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Richard J. Skurkis, Nicholas W. Pinto, IV
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Publication number: 20120216522Abstract: An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A thermal conduction element may be in direct contact with the SMA material, where the thermal conduction element is configured to receive thermal energy from the hot region and to transfer a portion of the received thermal energy to the SMA material through conduction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan, DYNALLOY, INC.Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Paul W. Alexander, John Andrew Shaw, Christopher Burton Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Guillermo A. Herrera, Nilesh D. Mankame, Richard J. Skurkis, Wayne Brown
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Publication number: 20120216523Abstract: An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A driven component, such as an electric generator, may be selectively coupled with the heat engine through a coupling device, which may be controlled via a controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, John Andrew Shaw, Christopher Burton Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Geoffrey P. Mc Knight, Guillermo A. Herrera, Jeffrey W. Brown, Peter Maxwell Sarosi, Richard J. Skurkis
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Publication number: 20120216526Abstract: An energy harvesting system in thermal communication with a hot region and a cold region includes a hot end heat engine in thermal communication with the hot region, a cold end heat engine in thermal communication with the cold region, and an intermediate heat engine disposed between the hot end heat engine and the cold end heat engine. The hot end heat engine includes a hot end shape memory alloy (SMA) element, the cold end heat engine includes a cold end SMA element disposed, and the intermediate heat engine includes an intermediate SMA element. A hot side of the intermediate SMA element is in thermal communication with a cold side of the hot end SMA element. A cold side of the intermediate SMA element is in thermal communication with a hot side of the cold end SMA element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, John Andrew Shaw, Christopher Burton Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Geoffrey P. Mc Knight, Paul W. Alexander, Peter Maxwell Sarosi, Nilesh D. Mankame, Wayne Brown, Guillermo A. Herrera, Richard J. Skurkis
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Publication number: 20120216525Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) heat engine includes a first rotatable pulley, a second rotatable pulley, and an SMA material disposed about the first and second rotatable pulleys and between a hot region and a cold region. A method of starting and operating the SMA heat engine includes detecting a thermal energy gradient between the hot region and the cold region using a controller, decoupling an electrical generator from one of the first and second rotatable pulleys, monitoring a speed of the SMA material about the first and second rotatable pulleys, and re-engaging the driven component if the monitored speed of the SMA material exceeds a threshold. The SMA material may selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and between the hot region and the cold region to convert the thermal gradient into mechanical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, John Andrew Shaw, Christopher Burton Churchill, Andrew C. Keefe, Guillermo A. Herrera, Jeffrey W. Brown, Richard J. Skurkis
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Publication number: 20120198835Abstract: An assembly for and method of reinforcing interconnection between an active material wire actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, and structure, includes the generation and engagement of an enlarged formation affixed to or integrally formed with the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Richard J. Skurkis, Paul W. Alexander, Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Xiujie Gao, Nilesh D. Mankame, Peter Maxwell Sarosi, Robin Stevenson, Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne
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Publication number: 20120174573Abstract: A multi-segmented active material actuator producing a variable, tailored, or staged/staggered stroke in response to an activation signal, including a plurality of segments joined in series, having differing constituencies and geometric configurations, and presenting differing activation thresholds, activation periods/rates, and/or strokes as a result.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Richard J. Skurkis, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Xiujie Gao, Peter Maxwell Sarosi
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Patent number: 8176616Abstract: A method for error-proofing clamping operation performed with a reconfigurable clamp having a body, a locking member, a plurality of moveable pins for contacting an object, and a plunger is provided. The method includes applying a force to the plunger and sensing whether the plunger achieves a fully-depressed position, and releasing the force to the plunger and sensing whether the plunger achieves a fully-extended position. The method may additionally include applying the force to the plunger, contacting the object with the plurality of pins and sensing whether the clamp body achieves a predetermined position relative to a clamping device.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Robin Stevenson, Ivan G. Sears, Richard J. Skurkis, Jeff Dellach, Mike Vainstein
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Patent number: 8109087Abstract: An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick B. Usoro, Xiujie Gao, Richard J. Skurkis, Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Guillermo A. Herrera, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Nancy L. Johnson, Nicholas William Pinto, Kenneth A. Strom
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Publication number: 20110247779Abstract: A shutter system includes a first louver element having a first pivot axis and a second louver element having a second pivot axis. The first louver element is configured to rotate about the first pivot axis, and the second louver element is configured to rotate about the second pivot axis. The shutter system additionally having a flexible drive element connecting the first louver element and the second louver element to thereby substantially synchronize the rotation of the first and second louver elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Brain D. Van Buren, Richard J. Skurkis
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Publication number: 20110101590Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James W. Wells, Christopher P. Henry, Ivan G. Sears, Douglas M. Linn, Alan L. Browne, Richard J. Skurkis
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Patent number: 7891075Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James W. Wells, Christopher P. Henry, Ivan G. Sears, Douglas M. Linn, Alan L. Browne, Richard J. Skurkis
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Publication number: 20100326070Abstract: A linear actuator associated with an actuator system for a device includes a wire cable fabricated from an active material. The linear actuator couples to the device and to the moveable element. The active material induces strain in the linear actuator in response to an activation signal. The linear actuator translates the moveable element relative to the device in response to the induced strain. An activation controller electrically connects to the linear actuator and generates the activation signal. A position feedback sensor monitors a position of the moveable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik, Xiujie Gao, Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, Tony J. Deschutter
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Publication number: 20100236236Abstract: An actuator includes a thermally activated active material element, such as at least one shape memory alloy wire, and a heat sink configured to operatively engage the element and accelerate cooling after activation, so as to improve bandwidth.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Patrick B. Usoro, Alan L. Browne, Richard J. Skurkis, Nancy L. Johnson, Xiujie Gao
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Publication number: 20100164160Abstract: A method for error-proofing clamping operation performed with a reconfigurable clamp having a body, a locking member, a plurality of moveable pins for contacting an object, and a plunger is provided. The method includes applying a force to the plunger and sensing whether the plunger achieves a fully-depressed position, and releasing the force to the plunger and sensing whether the plunger achieves a fully-extended position. The method may additionally include applying the force to the plunger, contacting the object with the plurality of pins and sensing whether the clamp body achieves a predetermined position relative to a clamping device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: ROBIN STEVENSON, IVAN G. SEARS, RICHARD J. SKURKIS, JEFF DELLACH, MIKE VAINSTEIN
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Patent number: 7726637Abstract: A reconfigurable clamp is provided, where the clamp includes: a clamp body including a plurality of through holes formed within the clamp body; a plurality of movable pins which slidably fit within the through holes in the clamp body; wherein the movable pins incorporate a tapered section to facilitate locking of the movable pins; and wherein the clamp is reconfigurable by movement of the pins to conform to a surface geometry of an object of arbitrary shape through contact with that object. The clamped surface is represented as a series of discrete points corresponding to the ends of the plurality of pins.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Robin Stevenson, Ivan G. Sears, Richard J. Skurkis, Jeff Dellach, Mike Vainstein
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Publication number: 20090277169Abstract: An overheating protection system adapted for use with a shape memory alloy actuator element, includes at least one switching shape memory alloy element presenting a slower activation period than that of the actuator element, and configured to selectively prevent activation of the actuator element, when the actuator element is actually or predicted to be experiencing overheating; and a circuit comprising the system, wherein the switching element and/or a circuit implement functions to modify activation of the actuator element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Patrick B. Usoro, Xiujie Gao, Richard J. Skurkis, Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Guillermo A. Herrera, Geoffrey P. Mc Knight, Nancy L. Johnson, Nicholas William Pinto, Kenneth A. Strom
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Publication number: 20090277170Abstract: An actuator includes a thermally activated active material member, and an external element configured to selectively engage the member and presenting a predetermined rate of thermal conductivity configured to transfer heat energy to and/or from the member, so as to reduce the actuation period or rate of cooling after actuation, when engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Guillermo A. Herrera, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Patrick B. Usoro, Nicholas William Pinto, Richard J. Skurkis, Paul W. Alexander
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Publication number: 20090173305Abstract: An active air intake adapted for selectively regulating fluid flow into an engine generally includes a housing defining an opening, a covering member disposed relative to the opening and translatable between opened and closed conditions, an actuator including an active material element operable to effect movement of the member, a load limit protector configured to present a secondary output path for the element, an overheat protection mechanism for preventing unintentional activation and stress loads in the element, a biasing mechanism for returning the member to the original condition, and a latching mechanism for retaining the member in the closed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Xiujie Gao, Thomas H. Froling, Richard J. Skurkis, Matthew D. Scrase, Clifford Jason Yee, Evan P. Joranlien, Mark D. Dickens, Arnold G. Warner, Laurence M. Lemaire
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Publication number: 20090065994Abstract: A reconfigurable clamp is provided, where the clamp includes: a clamp body including a plurality of through holes formed within the clamp body; a plurality of movable pins which slidably fit within the through holes in the clamp body; wherein the movable pins incorporate a tapered section to facilitate locking of the movable pins; and wherein the clamp is reconfigurable by movement of the pins to conform to a surface geometry of an object of arbitrary shape through contact with that object. The clamped surface is represented as a series of discrete points corresponding to the ends of the plurality of pins.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Robin Stevenson, Ivan G. Sears, Richard J. Skurkis, Jeff Dellach, Mike Vainstein