US Patent 7444813 Volume-conversion techniques for active-materials-based morphing structures

Described is a volume-conversion structure for causing a volume transfer. The volume-conversion structure includes a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The first reservoir includes a first volume for holding a fluid therein. An actively deformable material structure (ADMS) is disposed around the first reservoir, with the ADMS being responsive to a deformation activation element to change the ADMS' shape to cause compression of the first reservoir. The second reservoir is in fluid communication with the first reservoir. The second reservoir has a first-second reservoir configuration and a second-second reservoir configuration. Actuation of the deformation activation element causes compression of the ADMS, thereby compressing the first reservoir to have a smaller second volume and displace the fluid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir to change the second reservoir's configuration from the first-second reservoir configuration to the second-second reservoir configuration.