Abstract: A control system for selectively lighting and/or highlighting a control interface for a specific individual function generally includes at least one sensor for detecting at least one condition; a controller in operative communication with the at least one sensor and the control interface; wherein the controller sends an output signal to the control interface in response to detecting the at least one condition, wherein the output signal is effective to light and/or highlight the control interface for the specific individual function. Methods for operating the control system are also discussed.

Abstract: A voice activated control interface system for selectively lighting and/or highlighting a control interface for a function generally includes a microphone for receiving a voice command; at least one control interface in operative communication with a function; and a controller in operative communication with the at least one microphone and the at least one control interface, wherein the controller is adapted to process a voice command to provide a signal to a specific one of the at least one control interface to light and/or highlight the at least one control interface. Methods for operating the voice activated control system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuator adapted to incrementally translate and/or rotate an object, the actuator comprising a body comprising a first portion, a second portion, and an opening coaxially extending from the first portion and the second portion, wherein the opening is dimensioned to accommodate a diameter or cross section of an object; a first element disposed in the first portion, and a second element disposed in the second portion, wherein the first and second elements are adapted to selectively clamp the object; a spring in operative communication with the first and second portions; and a third element fixedly attached to the first and second portions, wherein at least one of the first, second, or third elements or spring is formed of an active material.

Abstract: A reconfigurable tool and/or die geometry and methods of use generally comprise forming at least a portion of a shape defining surface with a shape memory material. In response to an activation signal, the shape memory material changes geometry of the shape defining surface to provide a means for forming parts with different geometries from the same tool and/or die. In an alternative embodiment, an insert for a tool and/or die can be used, wherein the insert has at least a portion of its shape defining surface formed of a shape memory material. Also disclosed are processes for forming a first part with a defined geometry and a second part with a defined geometry different from the first part defined geometry using a reconfigurable tool and/or die as well as a reconfigurable insert with a standard tool and/or die.

Abstract: Seal assemblies employing reversible thermally expandable and/or contractible material that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the seal assemblies actively change dimensional and/or modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

Abstract: Tunable structural member for a vehicle generally comprises an active material adapted to selectively undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The change in the at least one attribute results in a change in the mechanical properties of the tunable structural member. Active materials generally include shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, magnetorheological fluids and elastomers, piezoelectrics, electroactive polymers, and the like.

Abstract: A method of predicting severity of a potential collision of a vehicle and an object. The method includes determining a probability of the potential collision. An elicitation signal is directed and transmitted to the object from the vehicle when the probability of the potential collision is greater than a threshold value. A response signal is received onboard the vehicle from a device situated on the object in response to the elicitation signal. The response signal includes a type associated with the object. A severity level of the potential collision is predicted based on the type.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow about a vehicle. The system comprises a fluid flow control device, an obstacle sensor for detecting obstacles, and a controller. The fluid flow control device has a body with at least one surface and an actuation means in operative communication with the surface. The actuation means is operative to alter at least one attribute of the fluid flow control device in response to a control signal. The controller has control logic for generating the control signal in response to the obstacle sensor.

Abstract: A system for controlling a fluid flow control device positioned on a surface of a vehicle. The system includes a fluid flow control device, a ground clearance sensor and a controller. The fluid flow control device has a body with at least one surface and an actuation means in operative communication with the at least one surface. The actuation means is operative to alter at least one attribute of the fluid flow control device in response to a control signal. The ground clearance sensor detects a clearance between the surface of the vehicle and a road. The controller has control logic for generating the control signal in response to the ground clearance sensor. The clearance may be a current clearance between the surface of the vehicle and the road and/or a predicted imminent clearance between the surface of the vehicle and the road.

Abstract: Turn signal assemblies for motor vehicles that employ shape memory alloy actuators to provide automatic cancellation of turn signals. A controller is in operative communication with the shape memory alloy actuator and is programmed to provide an activation signal to the shape memory alloy.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: Reversibly deployable energy absorbing assemblies for impact management generally include a translatable first element, a rigid support structure and a second element having one end fixedly attached to the rigid support structure and an other end fixedly attached to the translatable first element. The second elements are adapted to plastically deform along a predefined buckling path. The predefined buckling path may be uni-modal or multi-modal depending on the desired application and/or impact conditions. Also disclosed herein are methods for operating the energy absorbing assemblies.

Abstract: A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

Abstract: Reversibly expandable energy absorbing assemblies that utilize an actively controlled and engineering material to reversibly change a shear stress or a flexural modulus property. The actively controlled and engineering materials include magnetorheological fluids, electrorheological fluids, magnetorheological elastomers, and electrorheological elastomers. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component.

Abstract: A latch for engaging and disengaging two opposing surfaces includes a pin disposed on one surface and a gate disposed on an opposite surface; an active material in operative communication with the pin or the gate, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an engagement or a disengagement of the pin or the gate from the other of the pin or the gate, wherein the disengagement without the activation signal is opposed by a lifting force.

Abstract: In combination with a vehicle and a closure, one or more lockdown regions disposed between the closure and the vehicle body, the one or more lockdown regions comprising a device comprising an active material disposed in operative communication with the closure and the vehicle body, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a magnetic shape memory material, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device coupled to the active material, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the active material and effectuate a change in a dimension, a shape, and/or a flexural modulus property of the active material, wherein the change in the dimension, a shape, and/or flexural modulus of the active material locks down or releases the closure from the v

Abstract: An active material hood impact mitigation mechanism is activated in response to a signal generated from an impact sensor or pre-impact sensor or manually. The mitigation mechanism is capable of changing either reversibly or irreversibly the stiffness, shape, location, orientation, or displacement force of the hood either globally or locally, before an impact against the hood. The active material mitigation mechanism is held in a device designed to be installed in operative communication with the hood surface. The active material is characterized by a first shape or stiffness and is operative to change to a second shape or stiffness in response to the activation signal. Such active materials include shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers, shape memory polymers, magnetic shape memory alloys, magnetorheological fluids, magnetorheological elastomers, electrorheological fluids, and piezoelectric materials.

Abstract: A method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer upon a first surface; wherein the active device is operative to change at least one physical attribute in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to substantially decrease its modulus, contacting and compressing the active device with a second surface, and cooling the device to set a compressed geometry. In another embodiment, a method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer in a gap between two opposing surfaces; wherein the active device is operative to exhibit a memorized shape in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to increase a dimension of the active device; filling the gap between the opposing surfaces, and cooling the device to set a new gap filling dimension.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a housing 2; a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3 and/or the housing 2; wherein the actuator 16 is adapted to change the location of the housing 2 from a first position to a second position and/or change in a stroke length of the piston 3. Disclosed herein too is a method for changing the strut length of a strut assembly 10 comprising activating an actuator 16 that is in operative communication with a housing 2 or a piston of the strut assembly 10; and changing in the location of the housing 2 from a first position to a second position and/or changing a stroke length of the piston 3.