Electronically-activated, self-molding and re-shapeable load-bearing support structure system and methods for molding thereof
Inventors
Zhu, Yong • LEE, Cheuk Yin • Liu, Chenmin • LU, Shengbo
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11331405-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electronically-activated, self-molding and re-shapeable load-bearing support structure system is provided that includes a first composite structure. The first composite structure includes a first layer of a first thermally-responsive polymer; one or more first heating elements positioned adjacent to the first layer on a first heating element side; a second layer of the first thermally-responsive polymer positioned adjacent to the first heating elements on a second heating element side; a temperature sensor communicating with at least the first layer or the second layer of the first thermally-responsive polymer; one or more electrical connectors electrically communicating with the heating elements; and an electrical controller detachably connectable to at least one of the electrical connectors of the composite for providing an electrical current to the heating elements. A method of molding the load-bearing support structure system is also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an electronically-activated, self-molding and re-shapeable load-bearing support structure system for use as a composite structure. The composite structure includes first thermally-responsive polymer layers that exhibit a first elastic modulus at a temperature below a glass transition temperature or a melting temperature, and a second elastic modulus at a temperature greater than the glass transition temperature or the melting temperature.
The first elastic modulus is larger than the second elastic modulus by at least approximately 10 times larger to approximately 100 times larger. The system includes one or more heating elements positioned adjacent to the first thermally-responsive polymer layer on a first heating element side, and a second layer of the first thermally-responsive polymer positioned adjacent to the one or more heating elements on a second heating element side.
A temperature sensor communicates with at least the first layer or the second layer of the first thermally-responsive polymer. One or more electrical connectors electrically communicate with the one or more heating elements, and an electrical controller is detachably connectable to at least one of the electrical connectors for providing electricity to the heating elements based on measured temperature and a predetermined set temperature above the glass transition temperature or the melting temperature.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines one core claimed system architecture with thermally-responsive polymer layers having a large elastic modulus change across a glass transition temperature or a melting temperature, adjacent heating elements forming a heating zone, and a detachably connectable controller that provides electricity based on sensor-measured temperature relative to a predetermined set temperature above Tg/Tm.
Electronically-activated self-molding and re-shapeable load-bearing support structure system
A first composite structure including first and second layers of a first thermally-responsive polymer having a first elastic modulus below a glass transition temperature or a melting temperature and a second elastic modulus above the glass transition temperature or the melting temperature, where the first elastic modulus is larger than the second elastic modulus by at least approximately 10 times larger to approximately 100 times larger; one or more first heating elements positioned adjacent to the first layer and forming a first heating zone; a temperature sensor communicating with at least the first layer or the second layer; one or more electrical connectors electrically communicating with the one or more heating elements; and an electrical controller detachably connectable to at least one of the electrical connectors for providing an electrical current to the heating elements, where the amount of electricity is determined by a measured temperature and a predetermined set temperature above the glass transition temperature or the melting temperature.
The claim coverage centers on a single independent claim that combines thermally-responsive polymer layers with a large elastic-modulus change across Tg/Tm, adjacent heating elements forming a heating zone, and a detachably connectable controller that supplies current based on temperature sensor measurement relative to a predetermined set temperature above Tg/Tm.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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