IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0893119
(2004-07-15)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Browne, Alan L.
- Johnson, Nancy L.
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출원인 / 주소 |
- General Motors Corporation
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
38 인용 특허 :
27 |
초록
▼
An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/
An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.
대표청구항
▼
1. An air deflector for a vehicle comprising:a body portion having at least one surface; andan active material in operative communication with the at least one surface of the body portion, the active material being operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, where
1. An air deflector for a vehicle comprising:a body portion having at least one surface; andan active material in operative communication with the at least one surface of the body portion, the active material being operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein an airflow across the air deflector changes with the change in the at least on attribute of the active material.2. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein said body portion comprises an active material.3. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory material.4. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, an electroactive polymer, magnetorheological elastomer, piezoelectric material or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.5. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the active material is applied to the at least one surface of the body.6. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the active material comprises a plurality of strips and/or wires of the active material embedded into the at least one surface.7. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the active material comprises a plurality of strips and/or wires of the active material embedded within the body portion.8. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the active material changes at least one attribute in response to the activation signal.9. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the active material changes from a substantially straight shape to a curvilinear shape in response to the activation signal.10. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the activation signal comprises a thermal activation signal, a magnetic activation signal, an electrical activation signal, chemical activation signal or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing signals.11. The air deflector of claim 1, further comprising an activation device adapted to provide an activation signal to the air deflector.12. The air deflector of claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor and a controller in operative communication with the active material.13. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a vehicle air dam; a fender flare; a side skirt crib; a cab; rear and tailgate spoilers; louvers for controlling airflow through radiator, other heat exchangers, the engine compartment, over the drive train and transmission; and air and wind deflectors for roof top, sunroof and vent windows.14. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the activation signal is triggered by a predetermined speed of the vehicle, wherein the active material changes at least one attribute when a speed of the vehicle exceeds the predetermined speed, and wherein the active material returns to an original state of the at least one attribute when the speed of the vehicle is below the predetermined speed.15. The air deflector of claim 1, wherein the vehicle comprises an automobile, an over the highway tractor, a boat, a motorcycle, an airplane, a bobsled, or a spaceship.
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