Monitoring a state of a shape memory material member
AssigneesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsMichael Paul Rowe, Brian J. Pinkelman, Yufei Zhu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A state of a shape memory material member in an actuator can be monitored and controlled to protect the shape memory material member. When activated, the actuator can be configured to morph into an activated configuration in which a dimension (e.g., the height) of the actuator increases. A sensor configured to acquire sensor data. A portion of the shape memory material member can operatively engaging the sensor. One or more processors can be operatively connected to monitor a state of the shape memory material member based on the sensor data.
Claims18
A system, comprising:
- an actuator configured to morph, when activated, into an activated configuration in which a dimension of the actuator increases, the actuator including a shape memory material member;
- a sensor configured to acquire sensor data, a portion of the shape memory material member operatively engaging the sensor, the shape memory material member including an external portion that extends external to the actuator;
- and
- one or more processors operatively connected to monitor a state of the shape memory material member based on the sensor data.
A system, comprising:
- an actuator configured to morph, when activated, into an activated configuration in which a dimension of the actuator increases, the actuator including a shape memory material member;
- a sensor configured to acquire sensor data, a portion of the shape memory material member operatively engaging the sensor;
- and
- one or more processors operatively connected to monitor a state of the shape memory material member based on the sensor data by monitoring changes in a resistance of the sensor.
A system, comprising:
- an actuator configured to morph, when activated, into an activated configuration in which a dimension of the actuator increases, the actuator including a shape memory material member;
- a sensor configured to acquire sensor data, a portion of the shape memory material member operatively engaging the sensor;
- and
- one or more processors operatively connected to monitor a state of the shape memory material member based on the sensor data,
- when at least one metric is fulfilled based on the sensor data, the one or more processors being configured to discontinue a supply of energy to the shape memory material member.
A system, comprising:
- an actuator configured to morph, when activated, into an activated configuration in which a dimension of the actuator increases, the actuator including a shape memory material member;
- a sensor configured to acquire sensor data, a portion of the shape memory material member operatively engaging the sensor;
- and
- one or more processors operatively connected to monitor a state of the shape memory material member based on the sensor data,
- when at least one metric is fulfilled based on the sensor data, the one or more processors being configured to substantially maintain a supply of energy to the shape memory material member at a current level.
A system, comprising:
- an actuator configured to morph, when activated, into an activated configuration in which a dimension of the actuator increases, the actuator including a shape memory material member, the shape memory material member includes including a plurality of mechanically isolated zones defined by a plurality of isolation points along the shape memory material member;
- a sensor configured to acquire sensor data, a portion of the shape memory material member operatively engaging the sensor in one of the plurality of mechanically isolated zones that is external to the actuator;
- and
- one or more processors operatively connected to monitor a state of the shape memory material member based on the sensor data.
A method of monitoring a state of a shape memory material member used in an actuator, a portion of the shape memory material member being wrapped around a sensor to operatively engage the sensor, the method comprising:
- causing the actuator to morph into an activated configuration;
- monitoring a state of the shape memory material member using sensor data from the sensor;
- and
- controlling an activated state of the actuator based on the sensor data.
A method of monitoring a state of a shape memory material member used in an actuator, a portion of the shape memory material member operatively engaging a force sensitive resistive sensor, the method comprising:
- causing the actuator to morph into an activated configuration;
- monitoring a state of the shape memory material member using sensor data from the force sensitive resistive sensor, the monitoring including monitoring changes in a resistance of the force sensitive resistive sensor;
- and
- controlling an activated state of the actuator based on the sensor data.
A method of monitoring a state of a shape memory material member used in an actuator, a portion of the shape memory material member operatively engaging a sensor, the method comprising:
- causing the actuator to morph into an activated configuration by activating the shape memory material member;
- monitoring a state of the shape memory material member using sensor data from the sensor;
- and
- when at least one metric is fulfilled based on the sensor data, one of:
- discontinuing a supply of energy to the shape memory material member;
- or
- maintaining a supply of energy to the shape memory material member at a current level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.