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Discrete active seal assemblies

  • US 7,845,648 B2
  • Filed: 06/28/2007
  • Issued: 12/07/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An active seal assembly, comprising:

  • a seal body formed of an elastic material integrated with a seal base, wherein the seal body longitudinally defines a hollow interior channel and interior surface;

    a wire or strip predominately disposed within the hollow interior channel comprising a plurality of stiff elements fixedly attached to the interior surface and disposed within the channel;

    an active material in operative communication with and drivenly coupled to the end of the wire or strip, 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 exerts a force on the wire or strip operable to change a shape of the seal body;

    an activation device in operative communication with the active material adapted to provide the activation signal; and

    a controller in operative communication with the activation device.

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