Abstract: A device for concealing a seam between a first surface and a second surface includes a moveable body fixedly attached to a selected one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the moveable body is configured to transition between a first position and a second position to conceal and expose the seam, and an active material in operative communication with the moveable body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the moveable body from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device comprises an active material. Activation of the active material causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain an object without engaging the object below a surface of the object. In another embodiment, contact with an object causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain the object. In yet another embodiment, an object holder can comprise: a recess, a cover disposed over the recess, and a switch configured to cause the active material to retain a deformed shape in the recess. The cover comprises an active material. The active material is configured to deform into the recess when contacted with an object.

Abstract: A hood elevation system for a vehicle includes an actuator configured to selectively move at least a portion of a vehicle hood between an elevated and a retracted position. The hood elevation system also includes a motor and a spring. The spring biases the hood toward its elevated position, and the motor is configured to retract the hood, thereby compressing the spring.

Abstract: A hood elevation system for a vehicle includes an actuator configured to selectively move at least a portion of a vehicle hood between an elevated and a retracted position. The hood elevation system also includes a self-locking mechanism configured to allow movement of the hood between the elevated and retracted positions initiated by the actuator, but to resist retraction of the hood as a result of certain loads applied to the hood. The self-locking mechanism thus enables repeated elevation and retraction of the hood. In a preferred embodiment, the self-locking mechanism is configured to deform, thereby absorbing energy from an impact to the hood.

Abstract: A vehicle member generally comprises a thermally activated shape memory material in operative communication with a pyrotechnic device. The pyrotechnic device is effective to thermally change a dimension, a shape, an orientation change, an elastic modulus property change or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing properties of the shape memory material, which results in a structural and/or mechanical change to the vehicle member.

Abstract: An engine valve actuator assembly is provided that includes a movable roller finger follower operatively engaged with a displaceable engine valve. A rotatable camshaft with a plurality of different cam lobes having different profiles rotates about the roller finger follower. A plurality of intermediate finger followers contact different ones of the cam lobes and pivot about a common axis. One of the intermediate finger followers is in continuous contact with the roller finger follower. One or more additional intermediate finger followers are separately selectively engageable for common pivoting with the intermediate finger follower that remains in continuous contact with the roller finger follower, thereby varying displacement of the engine valve depending upon the various cam profiles.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a lower seat portion and a seatback portion. The seatback portion is selectively movable to vary the reclination angle of the seatback portion. The seat assembly is configured so that a first part of the lower seat portion rises relative to a second part of the lower seat portion so that the lower seat portion acts as an occupant restraint when a predetermined condition exists. Exemplary predetermined conditions include the reclination angle changing, the reclination angle exceeding a predetermined amount, and conditions indicative of an elevated risk of vehicle impact.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device for a vehicle uses a shape memory material that can be heated to repair deformation from a relatively low speed, low energy impact and its stroking force and energy absorption can be tuned by heating. The shape memory material is suitably used in a crash box having an inserted impact absorbing ram, the box being placed, for example, between a bumper and strong body member. The shape memory material is attached to the box and ram for absorbing energy as the ram is driven into the box. Electric resistance heating may be used to repair or tune the shape memory material.

Abstract: A pick-and-place tool releasably retains a part during a pick-and-place operation by an automated device. The pick-and-place tool includes a front structure having a first bore disposed therein for receiving a shaft extending from the part. A plurality of locking mechanisms is disposed within the front structure. The plurality of locking mechanisms are evenly spaced around the inner surface and are in fluid communication with a common fluid source. Each locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms includes a bearing disposed proximate an aperture in the inner surface, and a piston in mechanical communication with the bearing. Movement of the piston in response to a fluid pressure at the common fluid source forces the bearing to extend through the aperture and retain the shaft within the first bore. In one aspect, a resilient member is disposed between the front structure and a tool holder coupled to the automated device.

Abstract: A hood elevation system for a vehicle includes an actuator configured to selectively move at least a portion of a vehicle hood between an elevated and a retracted position. The hood elevation system also includes a self-locking mechanism configured to allow movement of the hood between the elevated and retracted positions initiated by the actuator, but to resist retraction of the hood as a result of certain loads applied to the hood. The self-locking mechanism thus enables repeated elevation and retraction of the hood. In a preferred embodiment, the self-locking mechanism is configured to deform, thereby absorbing energy from an impact to the hood.

Abstract: An impact absorbing device for a vehicle uses a shape memory material that can be heated to repair deformation from a relatively low speed, low energy impact and its stroking force and energy absorption can be tuned by heating. The shape memory material is suitably used in a crash box having an inserted impact absorbing ram, the box being placed, for example, between a bumper and strong body member. The shape memory material is attached to the box and ram for absorbing energy as the ram is driven into the box. Heating means is provided to repair or tune the shape memory material.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture for workpieces is disclosed. It utilizes a flat surface magnetic chuck with modular workpiece supporting, locating and clamping elements that are carefully located on it and held by magnetic attraction to it. These elements are precisely located to hold the workpiece in spaced relation to the chuck surface. Some locating elements are mechanically fixed to the chuck for securing the workpiece from transverse movement on the chuck surface. Preferably, each of the supporting, locating and clamping members are fixed to separate steel bases for magnetic attraction to the chuck. Each base may also carry its own hydraulic actuator for height adjustment of a support element or for height adjustment and closure of a clamping element. These modular elements have locating slots or grooves or the like so that they can be selected from a storage magazine and located on a chuck by numerically controlled mechanisms.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture for workpieces is disclosed. It utilizes a flat surface magnetic chuck with modular workpiece supporting, locating and clamping elements that are carefully located on it and held by magnetic attraction to it. These elements are precisely located to hold the workpiece in spaced relation to the chuck surface. Some locating elements are mechanically fixed to the chuck for securing the workpiece from transverse movement on the chuck surface. Preferably, each of the supporting, locating and clamping members are fixed to separate steel bases for magnetic attraction to the chuck. Each base may also carry its own hydraulic actuator for height adjustment of a support element or for height adjustment and closure of a clamping element. These modular elements have locating slots or grooves or the like so that they can be selected from a storage magazine and located on a chuck by numerically controlled mechanisms.

Abstract: An adapter for picking up and placing a fixture element on a fixture body using a controlled tool handling device having a tool translating and rotating spindle. The spindle has a tool receiving end and an axis of rotation. The adapter receives a cylindrical post member of a fixture element on a fixture body. The adapter has a first end having a receptacle for receiving the end of the spindle. The second end of the adapter is displaced from the first end and includes a cylindrical socket formed on the end. The socket is co-axial with the spindle and receives the cylindrical post member of the fixture element. A fluid passage is formed in the adapter from the receptacle to the cylindrical socket. The cylindrical socket has an upstream end and a down stream end. A piston is disposed in the upstream end of the socket. The piston is moveable longitudinally within the socket in response to fluid pressure delivered from the spindle through the fluid passage.

Abstract: A pick-and-place tool releasably retains a part during a pick-and-place operation by an automated device. The pick-and-place tool includes a front structure having a first bore disposed therein for receiving a shaft extending from the part. A plurality of locking mechanisms is disposed within the front structure. The plurality of locking mechanisms are evenly spaced around the inner surface and are in fluid communication with a common fluid source. Each locking mechanism in the plurality of locking mechanisms includes a bearing disposed proximate a hole in the inner surface, and a piston in mechanical communication with the bearing. Movement of the piston in response to a fluid pressure at the common fluid source forces the bearing to extend through the aperture and retain the shaft within the first bore. In one aspect, a resilient member is disposed between the front structure and a tool holder coupled to the automated device.

Abstract: An adapter for picking up and placing a fixture element on a fixture body using a controlled tool handling device having a tool translating and rotating spindle. The spindle has a tool receiving end and an axis of rotation. The adapter receives a cylindrical post member of a fixture element on a fixture body. The adapter has a first end having a receptacle for receiving the end of the spindle. The second end of the adapter is displaced from the first end and includes a cylindrical socket formed on the end. The socket is co-axial with the spindle and receives the cylindrical post member of the fixture element. A fluid passage is formed in the adapter from the receptacle to the cylindrical socket. The cylindrical socket has an upstream end and a down stream end. A piston is disposed in the upstream end of the socket. The piston is moveable longitudinally within the socket in response to fluid pressure delivered from the spindle through the fluid passage.