Abstract: An actuator includes a sliding body moveable along a guide between a rest position and a retracted position, a spring resting on a support body and acting to exert a bias force urging the sliding body to the rest position, and a SMA wire having opposite ends being mechanically and electrically connected to a respective one of two stationary contacts and forming a loop between the opposite ends which is connected to the sliding body, wherein the SMA wire is arranged to, when activated by electric energy supply, pull the sliding body away from the rest position to the retracted position, wherein the guide is fixed to a first end portion, the support body is fixed to an intermediate portion, and a contact holding body, in which the two contacts are incorporated, is fixed to a second end portion of a mounting bar.

Abstract: An actuator includes a sliding body moveable along a guide between a rest position and a retracted position, a spring resting on a support body and acting to exert a bias force urging the sliding body to the rest position, and a SMA wire having opposite ends being mechanically and electrically connected to a respective one of two stationary contacts and forming a loop between the opposite ends which is connected to the sliding body, wherein the SMA wire is arranged to, when activated by electric energy supply, pull the sliding body away from the rest position to the retracted position, wherein the guide is fixed to a first end portion, the support body is fixed to an intermediate portion, and a contact holding body, in which the two contacts are incorporated, is fixed to a second end portion of a mounting bar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a SMA valve for controlling pressurized air supply to an air cell in a vehicle seat comprising: a valve housing, a valve element (4) which is moveably suspended in the housing to be moveable between a closed position and an open position, a spring element adapted to exert a bias force on the valve element urging it to the closed position, and a SMA wire (1) extending between a part fixed in the housing and the valve element and arranged such that shortening of the SMA wire upon exceeding its threshold temperature exerts a force on the valve element which pulls the valve element away from the closed position against the bias force of the spring element, characterized in that the valve element (4) is suspended by a connecting link (10, 10?) connected with one of its ends to the valve element (4) and with its opposite end to a stationary component (8) in the housing by a hinge (12, 12?) enabling pivotal movement of the connecting link (10, 10?) between a first and second position o

Abstract: The subject invention provides a fluid flow apparatus for transporting a fluid to inflate and deflate a device including a pumping device and a housing defining a chamber, an inlet port, a fill port, and an exhaust port. A seal member is movable between a seated position closing the exhaust port and an unseated position. A motor has a shaft rotating in each of a first and second rotational direction. A clutch is disengaged from the shaft as the shaft rotates in the first rotational direction and is engaged with and rotates with the shaft as the shaft rotates in the second rotational direction. A centrifugal member is mounted and rotates with the clutch when the shaft rotates in the second rotational direction and engages the seal member to move the seal member to the unseated position for permitting the fluid within the chamber to escape through the exhaust port.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a fluid routing device for directing the transportation of a fluid including a housing defining first and second corridors selectively fluidly coupled to one another, and a valve assembly capable of alternating between an open configuration fluidly coupling the first and second corridors and a closed configuration fluidly separating the first and second corridors. A shape memory alloy member alternates between a de-energized state and an energized state. A link is pivotably mounted to the housing and is coupled between the valve assembly and the shape memory alloy member. The link pivots between a first position when the shape memory alloy member is in the de-energized state and a second position when the shape memory alloy member is in the energized state which alternates the valve assembly between the closed configuration and the open configuration for selectively fluidly coupling the first and second corridors.

Abstract: SMA valve for controlling pressurized air supply to an air cell in a vehicle seat comprising: a valve housing; a valve element (4) moveable between a closed position in which it is in sealing abutment with a valve seat, and an open position; a spring element urging the valve element to the closed position; a SMA wire (1) extending between a fixed point and the valve element (4), and which is arranged such that shortening of the SMA wire upon exceeding its threshold temperature exerts a force on the valve element (4) pulling it from the closed to the open position; a conductor (20) arranged to close an electrical circuit when the valve element reaches its open position; a control unit for supplying electrical power to the SMA wire for opening the valve and to detect closure of the electrical circuit, and arranged to reduce the electrical power supply to the SMA wire when detecting closure of the electrical circuit, wherein the suspension (8, 10, 10?, 12, 12?, 14, 14?) of the valve element is arranged such that

Abstract: SMA valve for controlling pressurized air supply to an air cell in comprising: a valve housing; a valve element (4) which is moveably suspended with respect to a mounting plate (30) in the housing between a closed position and an open position of the valve; a spring element adapted to exert a bias force on the valve element (4) to the closed position; a SMA wire (1) arranged such that shortening of the SMA wire upon exceeding its threshold temperature pulls the valve element to the closed position; a conductor (20) arranged on the valve element (4) in contact with the SMA wire (1) and arranged such that it comes into contact with a conducting surface (34) on the mounting plate (30) to close an electrical circuit when the valve element reaches its open position; a control unit arranged to supply electrical power to the SMA wire and to detect closure of the electrical circuit, and arranged to reduce the electrical power supply to the SMA wire when detecting closure of the electrical circuit, characterized in th

Abstract: SMA valve for controlling pressurized air supply to an air cell in a vehicle seat comprising: a valve housing; a valve element (4) moveable between a closed position in which it is in sealing abutment with a valve seat, and an open position; a spring element urging the valve element to the closed position; a SMA wire (1) extending between a fixed point and the valve element (4), and which is arranged such that shortening of the SMA wire upon exceeding its threshold temperature exerts a force on the valve element (4) pulling it from the closed to the open position; a conductor (20) arranged to close an electrical circuit when the valve element reaches its open position; a control unit for supplying electrical power to the SMA wire for opening the valve and to detect closure of the electrical circuit, and arranged to reduce the electrical power supply to the SMA wire when detecting closure of the electrical circuit, wherein the suspension (8, 10, 10?, 12, 12?, 14, 14?) of the valve element is arranged such that

Abstract: The present invention provides a SMA valve for controlling pressurized air supply to an air cell in a vehicle seat comprising: a valve housing, a valve element (4) which is moveably suspended in the housing to be moveable between a closed position and an open position, a spring element adapted to exert a bias force on the valve element urging it to the closed position, and a SMA wire (1) extending between a part fixed in the housing and the valve element and arranged such that shortening of the SMA wire upon exceeding its threshold temperature exerts a force on the valve element which pulls the valve element away from the closed position against the bias force of the spring element, characterized in that the valve element (4) is suspended by a connecting link (10, 10?) connected with one of its ends to the valve element (4) and with its opposite end to a stationary component (8) in the housing by a hinge (12, 12?) enabling pivotal movement of the connecting link (10, 10?) between a first and second position o

Abstract: A device for receiving or providing a fluid and a method of selectively coupling a tube (22) to the device with the tube receiving or providing the fluid. The device includes a housing (24) and a female port (26) extending from the housing. The female port has an engagement surface (28) and defines an interior chamber (30) with a retainer (62) disposed in the interior chamber. The retainer has a base (64), a finger (66) extending from the base to selectively engage the engagement surface, and a barb (88) proximate to the finger for selectively engaging the tube. A seal (52) is disposed in the interior chamber of the female port adjacent the retainer. The retainer (90) has a stud extending from the base beyond the barb to engage the seal for biasing the retainer away from the housing to facilitate movement of the finger against the engagement surface and engagement of the tube with the barb.

Abstract: SMA valve for controlling pressurized air supply to an air cell in comprising: a valve housing; a valve element (4) which is moveably suspended with respect to a mounting plate (30) in the housing between a closed position and an open position of the valve; a spring element adapted to exert a bias force on the valve element (4) to the closed position; a SMA wire (1) arranged such that shortening of the SMA wire upon exceeding its threshold temperature pulls the valve element to the closed position; a conductor (20) arranged on the valve element (4) in contact with the SMA wire (1) and arranged such that it comes into contact with a conducting surface (34) on the mounting plate (30) to close an electrical circuit when the valve element reaches its open position; a control unit arranged to supply electrical power to the SMA wire and to detect closure of the electrical circuit, and arranged to reduce the electrical power supply to the SMA wire when detecting closure of the electrical circuit, characterized in th

Abstract: The subject invention provides a fluid routing device for directing the transportation of a fluid including a housing defining first and second corridors selectively fluidly coupled to one another, and a valve assembly capable of alternating between an open configuration fluidly coupling the first and second corridors and a closed configuration fluidly separating the first and second corridors. A shape memory alloy member alternates between a de-energized state and an energized state. A link is pivotably mounted to the housing and is coupled between the valve assembly and the shape memory alloy member. The link pivots between a first position when the shape memory alloy member is in the de-energized state and a second position when the shape memory alloy member is in the energized state which alternates the valve assembly between the closed configuration and the open configuration for selectively fluidly coupling the first and second corridors.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a fluid flow apparatus for transporting a fluid to inflate and deflate a device including a pumping device and a housing defining a chamber, an inlet port, a fill port, and an exhaust port. A seal member is movable between a seated position closing the exhaust port and an unseated position. A motor has a shaft rotating in each of a first and second rotational direction. A clutch is disengaged from the shaft as the shaft rotates in the first rotational direction and is engaged with and rotates with the shaft as the shaft rotates in the second rotational direction. A centrifugal member is mounted and rotates with the clutch when the shaft rotates in the second rotational direction and engages the seal member to move the seal member to the unseated position for permitting the fluid within the chamber to escape through the exhaust port.

Abstract: A device for receiving or providing a fluid and a method of selectively coupling a tube (22) to the device with the tube receiving or providing the fluid. The device includes a housing (24) and a female port (26) extending from the housing. The female port has an engagement surface (28) and defines an interior chamber (30) with a retainer (62) disposed in the interior chamber. The retainer has a base (64), a finger (66) extending from the base to selectively engage the engagement surface, and a barb (88) proximate to the finger for selectively engaging the tube. A seal (52) is disposed in the interior chamber of the female port adjacent the retainer. The retainer (90) has a stud extending from the base beyond the barb to engage the seal for biasing the retainer away from the housing to facilitate movement of the finger against the engagement surface and engagement of the tube with the barb.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operational states of motor vehicle gears including a console, a lever mounted in the console whereby the lever can be articulated between a plurality of maneuverable positions corresponding to the operational states of the motor vehicle gears, the console comprising a housing and including a first groove and at least one track on at least one of the inner surfaces of the housing, a first support defining a first pivot hinge for the lever including a ball and socket joint whereby the first support permits the lever to pivot about an unlimited number of spatial pivot axes with respect to the housing, a second support defining a second pivot hinge, the first pivot hinge and the second pivot hinge defining a first pivot axis, whereby the lever can be maneuvered about the first pivot axis, and a third support having a longitudinal axis, the second support including a first pin mounted along the first pivot axis and prestressed toward the first groove, and the third support including