Patent ID: 9017795
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: B29C,B44C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system for selectively forming wrinkles, or modifying the amplitude, wavelength, and/or pattern of existing wrinkles upon a surface, said system comprising: a reconfigurable substrate presenting a first elastic modulus or Poisson's ratio; an overlay i) defining the surface, ii) adhered as a layer on the substrate, and iii) presenting a second elastic modulus or Poisson's ratio greater than the first elastic modulus or Poisson's ratio; at least one active material actuator operable to undergo a reversible change in fundamental property when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, the at least one active material actuator drivenly coupled to the substrate; said at least one actuator being configured such that the change causes the substrate to reconfigure, and the substrate reconfiguration causes the wrinkles to form or modify upon the surface as a result thereof; and opposite end caps fixedly secured to the substrate, wherein the at least one active material actuator is external to the substrate and is configured to push at least one of the opposite end caps toward a midline of the substrate.