Infinitely adjustable engagement system and method

Abstract

A system for releasable engagement of two bodies where one of the bodies deforms the other body during the engagement process. The system includes a first body having an engagement surface that is made from a pseudo-elastic mater pseudo-elastic material is maintained at an operating temperature that is above the martensite-austenite transition temperature for the material. The second body has an indenter surface that contacts the pseudo-elastic material and exerts sufficient stress to convert the material from the relatively hard austenite state to the relatively soft martensite state wherein the material conforms to the indenter shape. Upon release of the indenter contact stress, the pseudo-elastic material changes back to its original shape.

1 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies, said apparatus comprising: 
 a first body comprising an engagement surface, said engagement surface comprising a pseudo-elastic material, said pseudo-elastic material being at an operating temperature, said operating temperature being above the martensite-austenite transition temperature for said pseudo-elastic material, said pseudo-elastic material being capable of conversion between an austenite state and a martensite state by application of stress to said first body at said engagement surface, said application of stress to said engagement surface thereby converting said first body from an unloaded body to a loaded body wherein the engagement surface of said unloaded body has an unstressed shape and the engagement surface of said loaded body has a stressed shape wherein said stressed shape is different from said unstressed shape;    a second body comprising an indenter surface for contacting the engagement surface of said first body, said indenter surface being formed by one or more teeth that extend from said second body for engagement with said first body, said second body comprising a material that is harder than said pseudo-elastic material in said martensite state; and    an engagement mechanism that provides reversible contact of said indenter surface with said engagement surface and provides for the application of sufficient stress to said engagement surface to provide reversible conversion of said engagement surface from said unstressed shape to said stressed shape wherein said stressed shape conforms to the shape of said indenter teeth.    
   
   
       2 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies according to  claim 1  wherein said operating temperature is within 40° C. above said martensite-austenite transition temperature.  
   
   
       3 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies according to  claim 1  wherein said operating temperature is between room temperature and 300° C.  
   
   
       4 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies according to  claim 1  wherein in said engagement surface of said first body is non-planar.  
   
   
       5 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies according to  claim 4  wherein said engagement surface surrounds said indenter body.  
   
   
       6 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies according to  claim 4  wherein said said indenter body surrounds said engagement surface.  
   
   
       7 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies according to  claim 1  wherein said indenter body is a gear.  
   
   
       8 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies according to  claim 7  wherein said engagement mechanism comprises a linear motor.  
   
   
       9 . A system for releasable engagement of two bodies according to  claim 1  wherein said engagement mechanism comprises a clamping apparatus for clamping said first and second bodies together.  
   
   
       10 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first body comprising an engagement surface, said engagement surface comprising a pseudo-elastic material, said pseudo-elastic material being at an operating temperature, said operating temperature being above the martensite-austenite transition temperature for said pseudo-elastic material, said pseudo-elastic material being capable of conversion between an austenite state and a martensite state by application of stress to said first body at said engagement surface, said application of stress to said engagement surface thereby converting said first body from an unloaded body to a loaded body wherein the engagement surface of said unloaded body has an unstressed shape and the engagement surface of said loaded body has a stressed shape wherein said stressed shape is different from said unstressed shape;    providing a second body comprising an indenter surface for contacting the engagement surface of said first body, said indenter surface being formed by one or more teeth that extend from said second body for engagement with said first body, said second body comprising a material that is harder than said pseudo-elastic material in said martensite state;    contacting said indenter surface with said engagement surface to apply sufficient stress to said engagement surface to convert said engagement surface from said unstressed shape to said stressed shape wherein said stressed shape conforms to the shape of said indenter teeth; and    removing said indenter surface from contact with said engagement surface to thereby provide return of said engagement surface to said unstressed shape.    
   
   
       11 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 10  that includes the additional steps of: 
 moving said first and second bodies relative to each other after the step of removing said indenter surface from contact with said engagement surface to thereby provide repositioned first and second bodies; and    contacting said indenter surface with said engagement surface of said repositioned first and second bodies to apply sufficient stress to said engagement surface to convert the engagement surface of said repositioned bodies from said unstressed shape to said stressed shape wherein said stressed shape conforms to the shape of said indenter teeth.    
   
   
       12 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 10  wherein said operating temperature is within 40° C. above said martensite-austenite transition temperature.  
   
   
       13 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 10  wherein said operating temperature is between room temperature and 300° C.  
   
   
       14 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 10  wherein in said engagement surface of said first body is non-planar.  
   
   
       15 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 14  wherein said engagement surface surrounds said indenter body.  
   
   
       16 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 14  wherein said indenter body surrounds said engagement surface.  
   
   
       17 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 10  wherein said indenter body is a gear.  
   
   
       18 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 17  wherein said engagement mechanism comprises a linear motor.  
   
   
       20 . A method for engaging and disengaging two bodies according to  claim 12  wherein said engagement mechanism comprises a clamping apparatus for clamping said first and second bodies together.