Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical joining of Nickel Titanium tubes, also known as Nitinol, to other tubular components. Such mechanical joining may be achieved by interpenetration of lobe features between the respective tubes by translating the tubes together on a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, by a combination of translation and rotational motion or by a hinging motion. The Nitinol superelasticity is used to accommodate the lobe deformation required for assembly and to snap the lobe back into its original shape to complete the mechanical joint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mechanical joining of Nickel Titanium tubes, also known as Nitinol, to other tubular components. Such mechanical joining may be achieved by interpenetration of lobe features between the respective tubes by translating the tubes together on a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, by a combination of translation and rotational motion or by a hinging motion, or by use of the shape-memory effect. The Nitinol superelasticity is used to accommodate the lobe deformation required for assembly and to snap the lobe back into its original shape to complete the mechanical joint.

Abstract: This invention builds up on technical features and on the industry experience with the use of Merlin™ family connectors. In addition to friction, structural means utilized to transfer high torsional loads include interlocked thread systems and may also include: dog-clutch teeth, shear pins, keys and splines, all used in isolation or in arbitrary combinations. Static and fatigue bending load capacities of the connectors remain high, while the axial load capacities may or may not be high, depending on the design requirements. Connectors according to this invention can be built as new, carefully optimized designs. In some cases upgrading existing Merlin™ family connector designs to increase they torque transfer capacities may be also feasible.

Abstract: An expanding needle is provided that includes a tubular body having a proximal end, a needle-tipped distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The expanding needle also includes a longitudinal seam formed on the tubular body. The tubular body is configured to uncurl radially, along the longitudinal seam, thereby transitioning the tubular body from a contracted state to an expanded state to increase an inner diameter of the lumen. In certain embodiments, the tubular body is formed by, for example, a continuous flexible sheet rolled in a lengthwise direction. In that case, the longitudinal seam is defined by a portion of a side of the flexible sheet overlapping an opposing side of the flexible sheet. An expanding needle device, including an expanding needle seated to a needle hub, and a method of increasing an inner diameter of an expanding needle are also provided herein.

Abstract: A device including a first member joined to a second member, the joining being carried out via a compliant material having an alloy with at least two materials selected from silver, gold, and palladium, the second member being a shrink ring of the first member.

Abstract: An engine exhaust system comprises duct pieces and a thermally expandable sealing joint for interconnecting their adjoining ends. The sealing joint comprises a tubular body including a first axial end portion, a second axial end portion, and a bridge portion extending therebetween. The first end portion is at least partially positioned within a female recess of the first duct piece and the second end portion is at least partially positioned with a female recess of the second duct piece. The bridge portion can extend across a gap and/or it can be positioned partially within female recesses. Upon thermal activation, the sealing joint radially expands permanently to engage the inner radial surfaces of the duct pieces.

Abstract: In a mold, at least a first half includes an insert member forming a cavity surface on one end side; a body member having an insertion part into which the insert member is inserted; and an insert member fixer interposed between the insert member and the insertion part, for holding the insert member. The insert member fixer is made of a shape memory alloy, and presses and holds the insert member when the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, to make a center axis alignment of the insert member with respect to the body member.

Abstract: Reinforced hoses and clamps generally include a shape memory alloy material configured to provide tangential forces to the generally circular hoses and clamps. The shape memory alloy can be in the form of a ring embedded within the hose or may be in operative communication with the clamp such that a phase change in the shape memory alloy upon thermal activation provides the tangential forces.

Abstract: A rod formed from a shape memory alloy is stretched under load to reduce its diameter. The rod is positioned in a boss formed in a head gimbal assembly and actuator comb assembly. The rod is heated above its transition temperature such that the diameter of the rod expands to plastically deform and swage the assembly and form a joint. The rod is then cooled to return to its nominal diameter and removed from the swaged assembly.

Abstract: An element includes a tube, at least in part including a shape memory material; and a swellable material disposed adjacent the tube.

Abstract: A fitting for a pipe, in particular a plastic pipe or a plastic-metal composite pipe, is provided with a fitting body (12) for receiving an end (24) of a pipe (26) to be connected and a fixing element (32) for fixing said end (24) of said pipe (26) to be connected to said fitting body (12), wherein said fixing element (32) comprises a shape memory metal alloy, and said fixing element (32) is deformable by thermal activation from a non-fixing state in which said end (24) of said pipe (26) to be connected, is received by said fitting body (12) without being fixed, into a fixing state in which said end (24) of said pipe (26) to be connected is fixed to said fitting body (12).

Abstract: A device for sealing off an opening through the wall of a well tubular, which device comprises a tubular spacer having an outer diameter allowing the spacer to be arranged in the well tubular, a first seal collar assembly and a second seal collar assembly arranged opposite ends of the tubular spacer, each seal collar assembly comprising an activator ring and an annular seal collar, the activator rings being interconnected by a cylindrical system of shape memory alloy which system contracts when the temperature of the cylindrical system reaches the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy, and wherein each annular seal collar is arranged so as to be compressed against the inner surface of the well tubular upon contraction of the cylindrical system of shape memory alloy.

Abstract: For a pipe joining method using shape memory alloy capable of preventing a shape memory capacity loss due to a pipe's tolerance, a shape memory alloy joint having an inner diameter greater/less than an outer diameter of pipes to be joined is installed at the outer/inner circumference of a pipe joining portion, and the pipes and the shape memory alloy joint are simultaneously enlarged/reduced. In addition, a general metal joint having an inner diameter greater/less than an outer diameter of shape memory alloy pipes to be joined is installed at the outer/inner circumference of a shape memory alloy pipe joining portion, and the shape memory alloy pipes and the general metal joint are simultaneously enlarged/reduced.