초록 ▼

A shape-changing structural member has a shape-changing material, such as a suitable foam material, for example a polymer foam capable of withstanding at least 300% strain or a metal alloy foam capable of withstanding at least 5% strain. Springs, such as one or more coil springs, provide structural

A shape-changing structural member has a shape-changing material, such as a suitable foam material, for example a polymer foam capable of withstanding at least 300% strain or a metal alloy foam capable of withstanding at least 5% strain. Springs, such as one or more coil springs, provide structural support for the shape-changing material. The springs may also be used to provide forces to expand and contract the shape change material. The springs may include pairs of concentric springs, one inside of another. The concentric springs may surround an underlying skeleton structure that supports the shape-changing material and/or aids in changing the shape of the material. The concentric springs may or may not be wrapped around the underlying skeleton structure. Multiple springs or pairs of springs may be coupled together using a sheet metal connector.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A shape-changing structural member comprising:a shape-changing structural material capable of elastic deformation at strains of at least 5% when the shape-changing structural material softens by being heated above a glass transition temperature or phase transition temperature;

What is claimed is: 1. A shape-changing structural member comprising:a shape-changing structural material capable of elastic deformation at strains of at least 5% when the shape-changing structural material softens by being heated above a glass transition temperature or phase transition temperature; andone or more springs embedded in the shape-changing structural material, wherein the one or more springs provide structural support to the shape-changing material to put or maintain the shape-changing material in a desired shape when the shape-changing material is above the glass transition temperature or phase transition temperature;wherein the shape-changing structural member is part of an extendible wing.