Patent Publication Number: US-2018051511-A1

Title: Adaptable Assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a U.S. National Stage patent application of International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2016/050226, filed on 24 Mar., 2016, which claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2015901079, filed on 25 Mar., 2015, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an adaptable assembly. The assembly has been developed primarily for use as an adaptable shading device for windows, facades or outdoor shading installations, and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, the assembly is not limited to this application and may also be used, for example, as a shading device on other architectural openings, such as doorways, or as an awning or protective apparatus whether or not associated with an architectural opening, or indeed as a lid or cover for a vent, or as a valve member for controlling flow in a fluid circuit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Solar radiation has a significant impact on the overall energy needs of a building, particularly with regard to the energy needs associated with heating and cooling. As such, solar control in high energy efficient buildings is fundamental and in some cases also vital for indoor comfort. 
     To improve the energy efficiency of a building, it is common to use solar shading devices, such as awnings or shutters, on windows. Many such shading devices must be manually moved between their closed and open configurations. More sophisticated shading devices include a motorised system to facilitate opening and closing. The provision of a motorised system, however, increases the capital cost and maintenance costs of a shading device. 
     Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 
     SUMMARY 
     Throughout this specification:
         a. the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps; and   b. the word “opening”, when used as a noun, will be understood to include, but not necessarily be limited to, a space or void that may, or may not, have an associated closure, such as closure in the form of a door, window pane or screen.       

     In a first aspect, there is provided an adaptable assembly for at least partially covering an opening, comprising: 
     an elastically deformable sheet for at least partially covering an opening, wherein the sheet&#39;s flexural rigidity in a first direction is higher than the sheet&#39;s flexural rigidity in a second direction; and 
     at least one actuator connected to the sheet at two or more points spaced apart in the second direction, 
     wherein, when actuated, the at least one actuator is configured to apply a force between the two or more points to cause the sheet to elastically deform from an initial configuration to an actuated configuration for adjusting an exposure of the opening. 
     The at least one actuator may be at least one linear actuator. 
     Projections may be defined on at least one side of the sheet, the projections being spaced apart in the second direction. The two or more points may be on the projections. 
     The sheet may be corrugated to provide the higher flexural rigidity of the sheet in the first direction than in the second direction. The two or more points may be on peaks and/or troughs of the corrugated sheet. The two or more points may be at or adjacent the apexes of the respective peaks and/or troughs of the corrugated sheet. Alternatively, or in addition, the sheet may have areas of relative flexural weakness, such as by providing creases, grooves or penetrations in the sheet, to provide the higher flexural rigidity of the sheet in the first direction than in the second direction and/or to otherwise modify the relative flexural rigidity between other areas of the sheet. 
     The sheet may have corrugations that are regularly or irregularly spaced and/or regularly or irregularly shaped, including but not limited to corrugations of different shapes/forms and/or heights. For example, the corrugations may have a generally sinusoidal, saw-tooth, square or triangular wave form, or a combination thereof. 
     The at least one actuator may comprise a stimulus responsive material, such as a shape change material (SCM) or a shape memory material (SMM). The stimulus responsive material may be responsive to one or more stimuli selected from the group consisting of: thermal stimuli, photo stimuli, electrical stimuli, chemical stimuli, magnetic stimuli, and hydro stimuli. The actuator may comprise a SCM in the form of an electro-active polymer or a piezo-electric material. The at least one actuator may comprise a SMM in the form of a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a shape memory hybrid, a shape memory ceramic, a shape memory gel or a thermo bi-metal. The at least one actuator may comprise a thermo-responsive shape memory alloy, such as a NiTi-based alloy, a Cu-based alloy or a Fe-based alloy. The at least one actuator may comprise a shape memory polymer in the form of a physically cross-linked polymer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane, or a chemically cross-linked polymer, such as epoxy SMP. The at least one actuator may have a shorter axial length prior to actuation and a longer axial length after actuation, or vice versa. For example, the at least one actuator may have a substantially helical configuration prior to actuation and a substantially linear configuration after actuation, or vice versa. The at least one actuator may be responsive to a plurality of stimuli, for example to allow both passive actuation, such as thermal actuation, and active actuation, such as electrical actuation. 
     Upon de-actuation of the at least one actuator, the flexural rigidity of the sheet in the second direction may cause the sheet to return to the initial configuration. 
     The at least one actuator may comprise a plurality of the actuators, each extending between at least two points spaced apart in the second direction. For example, in the case of a corrugated sheet, each of the plurality of actuators may extend between peaks and/or troughs of the corrugated sheet. The actuators may be connected in series, in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel. Some of the actuators may be located at different heights of the sheet&#39;s corrugations to other of the actuators. Actuators with different characteristics may be provided at different locations on the sheet to generate a desired actuated configuration of the sheet. Alternatively, or in addition, actuation of some of the actuators may be damped relative to other of the actuators, for example by limiting exposure of a stimulus responsive actuator to its associated stimulant. In the case of a thermally responsive actuator, such damping may be provided by insulating or shielding the actuator or by forming the actuator from or coating it with a light coloured or reflective material. 
     The two or more points may be spaced apart in both the first direction and the second direction. 
     One end of the sheet may be adapted for connection to a structure, such as structure comprising an opening to be at least partially covered by the assembly, in which case the assembly may be adapted for connection to the structure adjacent the opening. The assembly may be configured for cantilevered connection to the structure. 
     The assembly may be a cover assembly for an architectural opening, such as a window or doorway. 
     In a second embodiment, there is provided a system for at least partially covering an opening, comprising: 
     a first assembly according to the first aspect above and adapted for connection adjacent the opening; and 
     a second assembly according to the first aspect above and adapted for connection adjacent the opening, 
     wherein, in use, when moving between the initial and actuated configurations, the first and second assemblies cooperatively adjust exposure of the opening. 
     When moving between the initial and actuated configurations, the first and second assemblies may be configured to move toward and away from one another. 
     In a third aspect, there is provided a structure comprising:
         a body having an opening associated therewith; and   either:
           a single assembly according to the first aspect above connected to the body adjacent the opening, or   a system according to the second aspect above, wherein the first and second assemblies of the system are connected to the body adjacent the opening.   
               

     The structure may comprise at least one said assembly that is cantilevered from the body. 
     The opening associated with the body may be an opening in the body. For example, the opening may be a window or doorway in the structure. 
     In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of at least partially covering and exposing an opening, comprising: 
     installing an adaptable assembly according to the first aspect above adjacent an opening; and 
     actuating the at least one actuator to elastically deform the sheet from the initial configuration to the actuated configuration to adjust exposure of the opening. 
     The method may further comprise de-actuating the at least one actuator, and allowing the flexural rigidity of the sheet in the second direction to return the sheet to the initial configuration. 
     The method may comprise installing a first adaptable assembly according to the first aspect above adjacent the opening, installing a second adaptable assembly according to the first aspect above adjacent the opening, and using the first and second assemblies cooperatively to adjust exposure of the opening. 
     The at least one actuator may be passively actuated and/or actively actuated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the presently disclosed assembly and method will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the adaptable assembly in an initial state; 
         FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    are schematic elevational views of the adaptable assembly of  FIG. 1 , respectively in an initial state and an actuated state; 
         FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    are schematic views of adaptable assemblies, as shown in  FIG. 1 , installed adjacent a window, respectively in an initial configuration and an actuated configuration; 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are schematic views of an embodiment of a system comprising cooperative pairs of adaptable assemblies, as shown in  FIG. 1 , installed adjacent a window, respectively in an initial configuration and an actuated configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic elevational view of a second embodiment of the adaptable assembly, similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , in an initial state; 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    are schematic elevational views of alternative embodiments of the adaptable assembly, similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , in an initial state; and 
         FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    are schematic elevational views of alternative embodiments of the adaptable assembly, similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , in an initial state. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIGS. 1, 2   a  and  2   b , there is shown an adaptable assembly  10  comprising an elastically deformable steel sheet  12  for at least partially covering an opening. The sheet  12  is corrugated, having parallel corrugations  14  extending across the sheet in a first direction A and being spaced apart along the sheet in a second direction B. Accordingly, the sheet  12  has a higher flexural rigidity in the first direction A than in the second direction B. That is, the sheet  12  is easier to bend around an axis parallel to the corrugations  14  than it is to bend around an axis perpendicular to the corrugations. 
     A plurality of linear actuators  16  extend in series between the corrugations  14  and are connected to the sheet  12  part way up the peaks  14   a  of the corrugations. In other embodiments, the actuators may be connected to the sheet at other locations, such as at the apex of the peaks  14   a  or at other amplitudes of the corrugations. When actuated, the actuators  16  are configured to apply a force between the peaks  14   a  to cause the sheet  12  to elastically deform from an initial configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2   a , to an actuated configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 b   . Upon de-actuation of the actuator  16 , the flexural rigidity of the sheet  12  in the second direction B causes the sheet to return to the initial configuration of  FIGS. 1 and 2   a.    
     In the illustrated embodiments, the actuators  16  are formed from a NiTi-based shape memory alloy, and are configured to reduce in axial length by adopting a helical (spring) shape upon thermal stimulation, as best seen by comparing  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   . However, in other embodiments, the actuators  16  may be formed from another shape memory alloy, such as a Cu-based alloy or a Fe-based alloy. In yet further embodiments, the actuators  16  may comprise an alternative stimulus responsive material, which may be a shape change material (SCM) or a shape memory material (SMM), and may be responsive to an alternative stimulus, such as electrical stimulus, photo stimulus, magnetic stimulus, or hydro stimulus. For example, in another embodiment, the actuators  16  may comprise an electro-active polymer; a piezo-electric material; a shape memory polymer in the form of a physically cross-linked polymer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane, or a chemically cross-linked polymer, such as epoxy SMP; a shape memory hybrid; a shape memory ceramic; or a shape memory gel. 
       FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    show assemblies  10  connected adjacent lower sides of the windows  100  of a building and acting as awnings for automatically adjusting exposure of the windows in response to changes in ambient temperature. The sheets  12  of the assemblies  10  are connected at one end to the building and are cantilevered therefrom so as to extend generally horizontally from the building. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the actuators  16  are located on the top side of the sheets  12 . When ambient temperature increases and stimulates the actuators  16 , the actuators shorten, by adopting their helical shape, and elastically deform the sheets  12  about a generally horizontal axis, causing the free ends of the sheets to rotate upwardly from the initial configuration of  FIG. 3 a    to the actuated configuration of  FIG. 3 b    to reduce exposure of the windows  100 . In other embodiments, the assemblies may be connected adjacent the upper sides of the windows  100  and the actuators may be located on the underside of the sheets to cause the free ends of the sheets to rotate downwardly to reduce exposure of the windows  100 . In other embodiments, the sheets  12  have a different initial configuration, such as a curved configuration, suited to the shading needs of the particular installation. The assembly  10  can also be applied in double-skin facades, in which case it would be placed in between the two skins. In yet further embodiments, the assemblies  10  may be installed vertically on a building, such that they cause the sheets to rotate about a vertical axis to adjust exposure of the windows  100 . When surface temperature reduces, the flexural rigidity of the sheets  12  returns the apparatus to the initial configuration of  FIG. 3   a.    
       FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    show pairs of assemblies  10  installed on opposite sides of building windows  100  and which cooperate to adjust exposure of the windows. The assembly  10  at the top of each window has actuators located on the underside of the sheet  12  and the assembly at the bottom of each window has actuators located on the top side of the sheet  12 . Accordingly, when the actuators  16  are actuated, the assembly at the top of each window rotates downwardly from the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 a    to that shown in  FIG. 4 b    and the assembly at the bottom of each window rotates upwardly from the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 a    to the configuration shown in  FIG. 4 b    to reduce exposure of the window. 
     It will be appreciated that the presently disclosed assembly  10  advantageously provides for automatic adjustment of the exposure of windows in buildings in response to changing environmental conditions. Moreover, the use of a shape memory alloy for the actuator  16  advantageously avoids the maintenance issues associated with conventional mechanical actuators. By using the shape memory alloy actuators with an elastic sheet, the need for a device to return the sheet to its original configuration is avoided, as the necessary return force is advantageously provided by the flexural rigidity of the sheet itself. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of possible variations and/or modifications include, but are not limited to:
         installing actuators  16  between troughs  14   b  of the corrugations as well as between the peaks  14   a;      installing the actuators  16  through openings in the sides of the corrugations  14 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , to cause the sheet  12  to shorten in a concertina fashion upon actuation of the actuators;   installing the actuators  16  associated with adjacent corrugations at different heights, such as shown in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , to facilitate generation of more complex actuated configurations of the sheet  12 , including both single and double curvatures, without requiring the use of different actuators;   irregularly spacing the corrugations along the sheet;   providing corrugations of a different configuration to the trapezoidal wave form shown in the drawings, including but not limited to different shapes/forms and heights, such as corrugations of a sinusoidal, square, rectangular, saw-tooth or triangular wave form, corrugations of irregular shape, and/or corrugations of differing heights, with examples of sheets  12  with differently configured corrugations being shown in  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   , wherein such variations in configuration of the corrugations may facilitate generation of more complex actuated configurations of the sheet  12  and/or provide differing degrees of flexural resistance to the morphing deformations generated by the actuators  16 ;   providing areas of local relative flexural weakness in the sheet  12 , such as by providing creases, grooves or penetrations of different forms and dimensions in the sheet, wherein the areas of local relative flexural weakness may facilitate generation of more complex actuated configurations of the sheet  12  and/or provide differing degrees of flexural resistance to the morphing deformations generated by the actuators  16     the points at which each actuator  16  is connected to the sheet  12  may be spaced apart in both direction A and direction B, such that the actuators  16  are oriented at an angle offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the corrugations, thereby causing the actuators  16  to apply a torsional force to the sheet  12 , which may facilitate the formation of more complex actuated configurations of the sheet  12 ;   controlling the heat transfer within the assembly  10  and to selected linear actuators  16 , for example by insulating one or more selected actuators  16  or by varying the thermal response of different components of the assembly  10  or associated elements by varying the colour scheme of the assembly  10  or associated elements, which may facilitate modification of the time at which particular actuators  16  are actuated;   using an actuator that increases in length when actuated;   using an actuator that is a non-linear actuator;   using an actuator that is responsive to several stimuli, or a plurality of different actuators each responsive to a different stimuli, such as thermal and electrical stimulation, to allow both passive actuation, such as via thermal actuation, and active actuation, such as via electrical actuation;   connecting the actuators in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel;   using actuators with different characteristics at different locations on the sheet to generate a desired actuated configuration of the sheet, for example by using thermoresponsive actuators that are actuated at different temperatures at different locations on the sheet, wherein the different actuating temperatures of the actuators may be achieved, for example, by using otherwise identical actuators painted in different colours to vary their solar reflectivity or by using thermally responsive materials that are actuated at different temperatures to differentiate the thermal response between the actuators;   substituting stimulus responsive actuators  16  with mechanical actuators or using stimulus responsive actuators  16  in combination with mechanical actuators;   forming sheet  12  from a different material, for example from a different metal, such as aluminium, stainless steel, or from plastics, wood or composites, or a combination thereof;   substituting sheet  12  with a non-corrugated sheet and providing the sheet with a higher flexural rigidity in the first direction A using ribs or other strengthening elements extending across the sheet;   using the adaptable assembly  10  to cover a different type of opening, such as a doorway or vent, or as a valve member for controlling flow in a fluid circuit; and/or   using the adaptable assembly  10  as or in an adaptable awning or protective apparatus regardless of whether the awning or protective apparatus is associated with an opening, such as for protecting an area adjacent a structure from exposure to sun or rain.