Patents by Inventor Ukpai I. Ukpai

Ukpai I. Ukpai 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).

  • Publication number: 20080034750
    Abstract: Active material actuator assemblies are provided that enable simplified control systems and faster actuator cycle times. A movable member is provided that has multiple active material components operatively connected to it. The active material components are separately selectively activatable for moving the movable member. Movement of the movable member via activation of a first of the active material components triggers activation of the second active material component to further move the movable member. Alternatively or in addition, previously activated active material components are protected from undesired stretching during activation of another active material component or, when desired, an active material component may be reset via activation of another of the active material components in order to prepare it for subsequent activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Ukpai I. Ukpai