Patents by Inventor Clover Thebolt

Clover Thebolt 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).

  • System with damper-controlled switch for shape memory alloy actuator motion control
    Patent number: 9394888
    Abstract: A system for controlling motion of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a damper operatively connectable to the SMA actuator and having a movable portion that moves with the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator contracts during electrical activation. An electronic switch is operatively connectable to the SMA actuator and to the damper. The electronic switch has an open position preventing electrical power flow to the SMA actuator, and a closed position permitting electrical power flow to the SMA actuator. A biasing element applies a biasing force that urges the electronic switch to the closed position. The damper overcomes the biasing element to move the switch to the open position only when velocity of the movable portion equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, and to return to the closed position when the velocity of the movable portion falls below the predetermined threshold velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Jonathan E. Luntz, Diann Brei, Clover Thebolt, Brent Utter
  • SYSTEM WITH DAMPER-CONTROLLED SWITCH FOR SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATOR MOTION CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150260170
    Abstract: A system for controlling motion of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a damper operatively connectable to the SMA actuator and having a movable portion that moves with the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator contracts during electrical activation. An electronic switch is operatively connectable to the SMA actuator and to the damper. The electronic switch has an open position preventing electrical power flow to the SMA actuator, and a closed position permitting electrical power flow to the SMA actuator. A biasing element applies a biasing force that urges the electronic switch to the closed position. The damper overcomes the biasing element to move the switch to the open position only when velocity of the movable portion equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, and to return to the closed position when the velocity of the movable portion falls below the predetermined threshold velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Jonathan E. Luntz, Diann Brei, Clover Thebolt, Brent Utter