System and method for activated interlocking fasteners and seals
AssigneeDelphini, LLC
InventorDavid Ronsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An active interlocking fastener system is adapted to control an interlock in response to an external stimulus. The interlocking fastener system includes a first element including a plurality of first interlocking fasteners. The interlocking fastener system also includes a second element including a plurality of second interlocking fasteners configured to couple to the first plurality of interlocking fasteners. The plurality of first interlocking fasteners or the plurality of second interlocking fasteners includes a reactive material configured to vary a mechanical engagement between the plurality of first interlocking fasteners and the plurality of second interlocking fasteners as a function of the external stimulus.
Claims13
An interlocking fastener system comprising:
- a first element including a plurality of first interlocking fasteners and a carrier structure configured to communicate a stimulus signal to the plurality of first interlocking fasteners:
- and a second element including a plurality of second interlocking fasteners configured to couple to and decouple from the plurality of first interlocking fasteners, wherein the plurality of first interlocking fasteners comprises a reactive material configured to alter a shape or orientation of the first interlocking fasteners between;
- a mechanical dis-engagement shape or orientation when the stimulus signal is being communicated to the reactive material via the carrier structure and a mechanical engagement shape or orientation when the stimulus signal is not being communicated to the reactive material via the carrier structure;
- and wherein the carrier structure of the first element comprises an activation structure that includes a tube configured to communicate the stimulus signal to the reactive material of each one of the plurality of first interlocking fasteners.
An interlocking apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of first interlocking fasteners configured to couple to a plurality of second interlocking fasteners and a transmission conduit connected to the plurality of first interlocking fasteners to apply a stimulus signal to the plurality of first interlocking fasteners, the plurality of first interlocking fasteners comprises a reactive material configured to vary a shape or orientation of the plurality of first interlocking fasteners from a first shape or orientation to a second shape or orientation when the stimulus signal is applied from the transmission conduit,
- wherein the first shape or orientation is a mechanical dis-engagement shape or orientation and the second shape or orientation is a mechanical engagement shape or orientation with respect to the plurality of second interlocking fasteners, or
- wherein the first shape or orientation is a mechanical engagement shape or orientation and the second shape or orientation is a mechanical dis-engagement shape or orientation with respect to the plurality of second interlocking fasteners;
- wherein the transmission conduit comprises an activation structure that includes a tube connected to the plurality of first interlocking fasteners;
- and
- wherein the stimulus signal comprises at least one of an electric signal a temperature signal a fluid, or a chemical.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.