Releasable seal assemblies and methods of use
First Claim
1. A releasable seal assembly for selectively removing a component from an other component, wherein the component and the other component are in sealing engagement with the releasable seal assembly, the releasable seal assembly comprising:
- a seal structure comprising an active material, wherein the active material is effective to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein the change in the at least one attribute changes a shape and/or modulus property of the seal structure;
an activation device adapted to provide the activation signal in operative communication with the active material; and
a controller in operative communication with the activation device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A releasable seal assembly for selectively removing a component from an other component, wherein the component and the other component are in sealing engagement with the releasable seal assembly. The releasable seal assembly includes a seal structure comprising an active material, wherein the active material is effective to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein the change in the at least one attribute changes a shape and/or modulus property of the seal structure; an activation device adapted to provide the activation signal in operative communication with the active material; and a controller in operative communication with the activation device. Also disclosed herein are methods for the releasable seal assembly.
45 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A releasable seal assembly for selectively removing a component from an other component, wherein the component and the other component are in sealing engagement with the releasable seal assembly, the releasable seal assembly comprising:
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a seal structure comprising an active material, wherein the active material is effective to undergo a change in at least one attribute in response to an activation signal, wherein the change in the at least one attribute changes a shape and/or modulus property of the seal structure;
an activation device adapted to provide the activation signal in operative communication with the active material; and
a controller in operative communication with the activation device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for selectively removing a component from an other component, wherein the component and the other component are in sealing engagement with a releasable seal assembly, the method comprising:
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activating the releasable seal assembly, wherein the releasable seal assembly comprises an active material in operative communication with a seal structure, wherein activating the releasable seal assembly comprises providing an activation signal to the active material to effect a change in at least one attribute in response to the activation signal, wherein the change in the at least one attribute changes a modulus property and/or shape of the seal structure; and
removing the component from the other component. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification