Abstract: A protective device for a vehicle wiper assembly is provided. The protective device is configured to selectively at least partially cover the wiper assembly and prevent the wiper assembly from being pulled away from the vehicle. For example, the protective device may prevent entanglement of the wiper assembly with external elements such as those found in automatic car wash facilities. The device may include a member movable between first and second positions such that the member in the second position is configured to at least partially cover or encapsulate the wiper assembly. An active material actuator may be used to move the member between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the device includes a member operatively connected to and configured to stiffen a pivot point of the wiper assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade configured to wipe a surface, an armature, and an actuator. The armature has a first end spaced from a second end, and is coupled with the wiper blade at the first end, and coupled to a pivot mechanism at the second end. The pivot mechanism is configured to allow the wiper blade to articulate about the second end in a direction substantially away from the surface and between a wiping position and a parked position. The actuator is provided in mechanical communication with the armature and is configured to receive an electrical actuation signal to transition the wiper blade between a wiping position and the parked position, where the wiper blade is in contact with the surface while in the wiping position, and is separated from the surface while in the parked position.

Abstract: A defogger system includes structure defining a window or a mirror, a heating element operatively connected to the structure to selectively apply heat to the structure, and a source of electrical energy. The defogger system also includes a switch and an electrically conductive path from the source of electrical energy to the heating element. The switch includes an active material member, and is configured such that the switch interrupts the electrically conductive path when the active material member is above a predetermined temperature. The switch is also configured such that the switch does not interrupt the electrically conductive path when the active material member is below the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A device is provided that may be adapted to control or monitor the pressure level of a fluid system. The device includes a member composed of a shape memory alloy in a superelastic state. The member is configured to undergo a phase change from a high modulus Austenitic phase to a low modulus Martensitic phase and stretch in response to an activation stress. In one embodiment, the member defines two ends such that one end of the member is operatively connected to a fixed point. Another end of the member is operatively connected to a movable element. As the member stretches in response to the activation stress, the movable element is translated relative to the fixed point. In another embodiment, the member includes two plates with respective holes that are selectively aligned when the first and second plates stretch or deform in response to the activation stress.

Abstract: A vehicle wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length, and an active material disposed along the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material includes a shape memory alloy material with a crystallographic phase that is changeable between austenite and martensite, and is elastically deformable and operatively applies a spring force against a portion of the wiper blade when the crystallographic phase is martensite.

Abstract: A wiper assembly includes a wiper blade having a length and an active material actuator provided along a portion of the length of the wiper blade and coupled thereto. The active material actuator is configured to impart a degree of motion to a portion of the wiper blade in response to an electrical actuation signal.

Abstract: A circuit protector includes first and second conductive members. An active material alters at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material is operatively connected to the first and second conductive members to alter the electrical resistance between the first and second members.

Abstract: A mechanical system for selectively moving a load a motive distance comprises an actuator operable for applying a force to the load. The actuator includes an active material element having a variable property. A controller is connected to the actuator and operable for sending a first stimulus to the actuator to shift the actuator from a first state to a second state. The second state is associated with detecting the onset of actuation for the actuator. The controller is operable to send the priming stimulus level to the actuator to shift it to the primed state. The actuator includes a priming device operable for determining the onset of actuation of the first active material element.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes an SMA element and a flexible outer coating or layer. The element is respectively activated by a heating source. The layer surrounds the element, and enhances the heat transfer characteristics of the element to increase the speed of the actuation cycle. The nominal geometry and/or thermal conductivity may be altered during an activation phase, and may include discrete elements oriented with respect to the element, and partially embedded in the layer. An end gripper assembly may be used to cause the layer to move in concert with the element during a phase transformation. An electro-mechanical system includes the cooling source and the actuator. A method includes connecting the actuator to a load, activating the element using the heating source, and deactivating the element using a cooling source or free/ambient air.

Abstract: An assembly for and method of reinforcing interconnection between an active material wire actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, and structure, includes the generation and engagement of an enlarged formation affixed to or integrally formed with the actuator.

Abstract: A charging regulator assembly for an energy storing device includes an active material actuator configured to move a contact from a connected position permitting current transfer between the contact and a power bus into a disconnected position preventing current transfer between the contact and the power bus. The active material actuator is engaged in response to a temperature of the active material actuator rising above a pre-determined value. Moving the contact into the disconnected position prevents further current transfer into or out of the energy storing device, thereby preventing further heating of the energy storing device and preventing potential damage to the energy storing device form overheating.

Abstract: An electronics system includes an electronic device, a power source and a temperature control switch. An actuator having a shape memory alloy is attached to the temperature control switch and moves the temperature control switch between an open position preventing a current flow between the power source and the electronic device, and a closed position permitting current flow between the power source and the electronic device. The shape memory alloy transforms shapes upon the ambient temperature falling below a low critical temperature or rising above a high critical temperature to move the temperature control switch into one of the closed position to permit current flow to the electronic device or the open position to prevent current flow to the electronics device respectively.

Abstract: Actuation assemblies for and methods of activating a thermally actuated active material actuator utilizing wireless transmissions of energy.

Abstract: A method of and actuator/device for passively actuating or protecting a system, body or circuit during a lightning strike or other high voltage/current generation event, utilizing an active material element activated by the spike in current or voltage potential, and preferably a barrier connected in series to the element and configured to be overcome by the voltage/current event, so that the element is activated only during the event.

Abstract: A cooling assembly adapted for use with an exothermic system, includes a manipulable cooling member and/or source, and an active material element operable to selectively inter-engage or further engage the member or source and the system through displacement or formation of a thermal link.

Abstract: A charging regulator assembly for an energy storing device includes an active material actuator configured to move a contact from a connected position permitting current transfer between the contact and a power bus into a disconnected position preventing current transfer between the contact and the power bus. The active material actuator is engaged in response to a temperature of the active material actuator rising above a pre-determined value. Moving the contact into the disconnected position prevents further current transfer into or out of the energy storing device, thereby preventing further heating of the energy storing device and preventing potential damage to the energy storing device form overheating.

Abstract: An electronics system includes an electronic device, a power source and a temperature control switch. An actuator having a shape memory alloy is attached to the temperature control switch and moves the temperature control switch between an open position preventing a current flow between the power source and the electronic device, and a closed position permitting current flow between the power source and the electronic device. The shape memory alloy transforms shapes upon the ambient temperature falling below a low critical temperature or rising above a high critical temperature to move the temperature control switch into one of the closed position to permit current flow to the electronic device or the open position to prevent current flow to the electronics device respectively.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A plurality of heat engines are located proximate to the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engines each include a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy driven to rotate by heat exchange contact with each of the first region and the second region. At least one pulley for each of the plurality of heat engines is driven by the rotation of the respective shape memory alloy, and each of the at least one pulleys is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

Abstract: A circuit protector includes first and second conductive members. An active material alters at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material is operatively connected to the first and second conductive members to alter the electrical resistance between the first and second members.