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: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a locking device 11 in operative communication with a piston 3, wherein the locking device 11 comprises an active material operative to resist motion of the piston 3 in response to an activation signal. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in mechanical communication with a piston 3; activating an active material in operative communication with the piston 3; and controlling the motion of the suspended body 60.

Abstract: A releasable seal assembly for selectively removing a component from an other component, wherein the component and the other component are in sealing engagement with the releasable seal assembly. The releasable seal assembly includes a seal structure comprising an active material, wherein the active material is effective to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein the change in the at least one attribute changes a shape and/or modulus property of the seal structure; an activation device adapted to provide the activation signal in operative communication with the active material; and a controller in operative communication with the activation device. Also disclosed herein are methods for the releasable seal assembly.

Abstract: A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash or impact comprising a honeycomb celled material expandable from a compact state to a expanded state and methods for operating the same.

Abstract: Force and deceleration delimiting devices and methods for operating the same in a vehicle.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat fabric, wherein at least a portion of the seat fabric comprises a yarn comprising a shape memory polymer adapted to undergo a change in a modulus of elasticity at a thermal transition temperature; a support material upon which the seat fabric is disposed; and a controller in operative communication with the shape memory polymer, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply a thermal activation signal to the shape memory polymer to effect a change in the modulus of elasticity of the shape memory polymer, wherein the change in the modulus of elasticity of the shape memory polymer results in a change in a stiffness and/or flexibility of the seat fabric.

Abstract: A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a shape memory foam disposed within an interior region, wherein the shape memory foam is adapted to expand to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. The shape memory foam is a material selected from the group consisting of shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory foam can be thermally activated to restore the original configuration of the energy absorbing assembly. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash comprising a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state; a support surface cooperatively positioned with the honeycomb celled material to cover a surface of the honeycomb celled material in the deployed and dormant states; and a means for deploying said volume-filling mechanical structure from said dormant state to said deployed state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a locking mechanism for positioning or locking an article comprising a housing 3; an optional active element 6 in operative communication with a connecting means 22, wherein the active element 6 and the connecting means 22 are disposed within the housing 3; wherein the active element 6 upon being activated is capable of exerting a force on the connecting means 22; a compression initiation element 4 located within the housing 3, wherein the compression initiation element 4 comprises a shape memory material, and wherein the compression initiation element 4 upon activation facilitates the activation of the active element 6; and a spring stack 8 disposed adjacent to the compression initiation element 4, wherein the spring stack 8 is in operative communication with the compression initiation element 4 and wherein the spring stack 8 is configured to radially expand within the housing 3.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reconfigurable tool for use in a mold comprising an active element that comprises an active material, wherein the active element upon activation is operative to permit insertion or removal of the reconfigurable tool from an opening in the mold or a molded part. Disclosed herein too is method for using a reconfigurable tool during a molding operation comprising pouring a molten polymeric resin, metal, ceramic, or a combination comprising a molten polymeric resin, metal or ceramic into a mold that comprises a reconfigurable tool, wherein the reconfigurable tool comprises an active element that is activated upon the application of an external stimulus; and activating the active element.

Abstract: Active seal assisted latching assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to effect the latching. 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: Disclosed herein is a locking device comprising a striker; and a latch in operative communication with an actuator that comprises an active material; wherein the latch is adapted to engage the striker in direct proportion to an applied activation signal. Disclosed herein too is a method for assisting a final closing motion of a suspended body with respect to a supporting body comprising moving the suspended body to within a defined distance from the supporting body; and activating a locking device, wherein the locking device comprises a striker; a latch in operative communication with an actuator that comprises an active material; wherein the latch is adapted to engage the striker in direct proportion to an applied activation signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with a housing 2; a seal 6 in operative communication with the piston 3 and/or the housing 2; wherein the seal 6 comprises an active material adapted to control the motion of the piston 3. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in mechanical communication with a piston 3; wherein the piston 3 comprises a piston head 14 and a piston rod 12; activating an active material in operative communication with the piston head 14; and controlling the motion of the suspended body 60.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications tailored for vehicles such as in a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

Abstract: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change 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: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle window application, the seal force can be selectively reduced during movement of the window and increased when the window is stationary, thereby selectively changing seal effectiveness. Active materials refers to several different classes of materials all of which exhibit a change in at least one attribute such as dimension, shape, and/or flexural modulus when subjected to at least one of many different types of applied activation signals, examples of such signals being thermal, electrical, magnetic, stress, and the like.

Abstract: Active pressure relief valves and methods of use for regulating atmospheric conditions within an interior compartment of a vehicle generally include an active material to effect movement of a flap relative to an opening. The active material has the ability to remember its original at least one attribute such as dimension, shape, and/or flexural modulus, which can subsequently be recalled by applying or removing an external stimulus, as will be discussed in detail herein. Suitable active materials include, without limitation, shape memory alloys, ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, piezoelectric materials, electroactive polymers, magnetorheological fluids and elastomers, electrorheological fluids, composites of one or more of the foregoing materials with non-active materials, combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a strut assembly 10 comprising a piston 3 in slideable communication with the housing 2; an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston 3, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material and is adapted to control the displacement of the piston. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly 10 comprising displacing a suspended body 60 in operative communication with a piston; and activating an actuator 16 in operative communication with the piston, wherein the actuator 16 comprises a shape memory material.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device includes two or more strips, wherein each of the two or more strips comprises a shape memory polymer adapted to undergo a change in a modulus of elasticity at a thermal transition temperature. A method comprises contacting two or more strips with an item, wherein each strip comprises a shape memory polymer adapted to undergo a change in a modulus of elasticity at a thermal transition temperature; equilibrating the two or more strips with the item; and determining a temperature range of the item by observing whether any of the two or more strips underwent a decrease in stiffness and/or increase in flexibility caused by the change in the modulus of elasticity of the shape memory polymer.

Abstract: A method comprises applying a thermal activation signal to a conduit comprising a shape memory polymer, causing a change in at least one property of the shape memory polymer, and regulating fluid flow through the conduit by the change in the at least one property of the shape memory polymer. A conduit comprises a shape memory polymer in an amount effective to regulate fluid flow through the conduit by a change in at least one property of the shape memory polymer caused by application of a thermal activation signal. The conduits and methods disclosed herein may find use as drinking utensils, respirator tubes, pump intake tubes, motor vehicle cooling system bypass hoses, motor vehicle engine oil filter bypass hoses, or motor vehicle powertrain fluid circulation hoses.