Patent ID: 7686120
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: B60R,C08L,E05B,E05F,E05Y

Abstract:
1. A dual chamber lifter in combination with a vehicle closure, the dual chamber lifter comprising: a closure; and a dual chamber lifter configured to selectively lift and lower the closure, the dual chamber lifter comprising a piston assembly disposed within a sealed housing, the piston assembly comprising a movable shaft and a piston head defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber; at least one pump in fluid communication with a selected one of the upper chamber, the lower chamber, and both the upper and lower chambers; a least one active material based valve in fluid communication with a selected one of the upper chamber, the lower chamber, and both the upper and lower chambers; and a controller for selectively providing an activation signal to the active material, wherein the activation signal is effective to change an attribute of the active material that opens the valve.