Seal assembly including shape memory stiffening members

A device, comprising:

• a seal depressor defining a surface;
• and
• a moveable member that is configured to actuate between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the moveable member includes a seal assembly configured to seal against the surface of the seal depressor when the moveable member is in the closed position, the seal assembly comprising:
• a body member configured to elastically deform in at least a first direction of motion from an original state into a compressed state in response to experiencing a load, wherein the body member exerts a sealing pressure against the surface of the seal depressor when in the compressed state;
• and
• one or more shape memory stiffening members constructed from a shape memory material having a high energy state and a low energy state, the one or more shape memory stiffening members oriented perpendicular to the first direction of motion of the seal assembly and configured to stiffen the body member of the seal assembly when the shape memory material is in the high energy state.

A method, comprising:

• exerting, by a seal depressor, a load upon a body member of a seal assembly;
• in response to experiencing the load, elastically deforming the body member of the seal assembly in a first direction of motion from an original state into a compressed state, wherein the body member exerts a sealing load against a surface of a seal depressor when in the compressed state;
• heating one or more shape memory stiffening members to an activation temperature of a shape memory material, wherein the one or more shape memory stiffening members are constructed from the shape memory material;
• in response to heating the seal assembly to the activation temperature, transitioning, by the shape memory stiffening members, from a low energy state to a high energy state;
• and
• stiffening the body member of the seal assembly as the shape memory material transitions from the low energy state to the high energy state.