A device for applying an axial force includes a longitudinal axis with a first compression surface located at a first end of the longitudinal axis and a second compression surface located at a second end of the longitudinal axis. A plurality of resilient members is positioned between the first compression surface and the second compression surface. A first resilient member is oriented with a first end proximate the first compression surface and a second end proximate the second compression surface. A second resilient member is oriented with a first end proximate the first compression surface and a second end proximate the second compression surface. The device has a compressed state and an expanded state where the first compression surface and second compression surface move in a direction of the longitudinal axis between the compressed state and the expanded state.

A variable stiffness structure configured to isolate a mass from unwanted vibrations includes a negative stiffness element and an actuator operatively coupled to the negative stiffness element. The actuator is configured to be actuated to control a stiffness of the negative stiffness element. The variable stiffness structure may also include a positive stiffness element coupled to the negative stiffness element.

A moveable joint including a first member and a second member moveably connected to the first member, a shape-memory-alloy member coupled to the first member and engageable with the second member, and a biasing member configured to bias the second member from a first position relative to the first member towards a second position relative to the first member. Movement of the second member between the first position and the second position is limited by the shape-memory-alloy member such that the position of the second member relative to the first member is determined by the shape of the shape-memory-alloy member.

A spring device for spring-mounting a laundry drum of a washing machine has at least one spring means and coupling means for coupling the spring means to the spring device. The spring means has a spring constant or spring properties which are temperature-dependent and can be varied by a temperature effect on the spring means. As an alternative or in addition, the coupling means are designed in a temperature-dependent manner in such a way that they vary their coupling effect between the spring means and the spring device by a temperature effect. Heating means are provided for the spring means and/or for the coupling means in order to warm up the said spring means and/or coupling means and to change their spring properties or their coupling effect. Therefore, the spring-mounting arrangement of the laundry drum can be thermally, and therefore quickly and simply, varied.

A suspension assembly is described. The suspension assembly including a static member or plate; a moving member or plate movable about an x-axis and a y-axis with respect to the static plate; a sensor mounting region on the moving plate; and one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) elements extending between and coupled to the static plate and moving plate. The SMA elements, when driven by a controller, move the moving plate and the sensor mounting region thereon about the x-axis and the y-axis with respect to the static plate.

A variable rate bound stopper includes a bound stopper in the form of an elastomer member. The elastomer member has an aperture such that the bound stopper is configured to be positioned over and disposed around a piston rod of a shock absorber. A shape memory alloy (SMA) coil formed from an SMA wire extends around at least a portion of the elastomer member. The SMA coil has a relaxed state and an activated state. The SMA coil constrains the elastomer member from deforming radially outward and alters an intrinsic spring rate of the bound stopper when in the activated state.

Thermal exchanger securing devices, and compute resources that include one or more thermal exchanger securing devices, are disclosed herein. The thermal exchanger securing devices are used to secure a thermal exchanger to an integrated circuit package, and to secure a thermal exchanger and an integrated circuit package of a compute resource to a printed circuit board.

A vibration isolation component and vibration isolation system for a drivetrain as well as a method of isolation vibration in a drivetrain. At least one of a drivetrain bracket and a bushing inserted into an end of the drivetrain bracket is a vibration isolation element and includes a super elastic shape memory alloy element. The drivetrain bracket is affixed to an electric drivetrain and the bushing is connected a chassis.

Springs of different types are provided with the ability to dynamically change stiffness. A number of embodiments feature hollow tubing wherein stiffness change is accomplished due to the pressure change inside the tubing which affects the stresses in tubing walls. In other embodiments inside pressure change causes variability in tubing's cross-section shape and size leading to large changes in stiffness. A number of embodiments feature spring coil diameter variability achieved by a variety of means and resulting in highly substantial changes in stiffness and for some embodiments spring length variability thus providing them with actuation capability in addition to stiffness variability.

A shock absorbing device that has high strength rigidity and good attenuation characteristics, that can be reduced in weight and size, is free from degassing, and has stable temperature characteristics. The device connects between a first and second member so as to be applicable to shock absorption therebetween, and includes: a first and a second shock absorbing member; and a holding and connecting mechanism which holds the first member via the first and second shock absorbing members and which is connected to the second member. The first shock absorbing member, the first member, and the second shock absorbing member are disposed in that order. The holding and connecting mechanism sandwiches the first shock absorbing member, the first member, and the second shock absorbing member from outside the first and second shock absorbing members, thereby holding the first member while applying stress to the first and second shock absorbing members.