Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a strut assembly (10) comprising a piston (3) in slideable communication with the housing (2); an actuator (16) in operative communication with the piston (3), wherein the actuator (16) comprises a shape memory material and is adapted to control the displacement of the piston. Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly (10) comprising displacing a suspended body (60) in operative communication with a piston; and activating an actuator (16) in operative communication with the piston, wherein the actuator (16) comprises a shape memory material.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a programmable shim (28) for positioning a work piece (12) comprising a first plate (30); an optional reference frame (32); and an actuator (34) in operative communication with the first plate (30) and the reference frame (32). Disclosed herein too is a method of aligning a work piece (12) comprising disposing the work piece (12) upon a first plate (30) of a programmable shim (28); activating an actuator (34) with an external stimulus; wherein the actuator (34) is in operative communication with the first plate (30); and displacing the work piece (12).
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a strut assembly (10) comprising a piston (3) in slideable communication with a housing (2); a seal (6) in operative communication with the piston (3) and/or the housing (2); wherein the seal (6) comprises an active material adapted to control the motion of the piston (3). Disclosed herein too is a method of operating a strut assembly (10) comprising a suspended body (60) in mechanical communication with a piston (3); wherein the piston (3) comprises a piston head (14) and a piston rod (12); activating an active material in operative communication with the piston head (14); and controlling the motion of the suspended body (60).
Abstract:
A fixture device (10) generally includes a base member (12), a reconfigurable pad (14) disposed on the base member (12), wherein the reconfigurable pad (14) comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece (16), and an activation device (24) in operative communication with the shape memory material. Also disclosed herein are computer program products as well as methods of using, controlling, and conforming the fixture device (10).