US 11,686,073 B2
Electrically activated polymer based locking system for earth moving equipment and method
Douglas C. Serrurier, Morton, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/346,575.
Application 17/346,575 is a division of application No. 16/679,539, filed on Nov. 11, 2019, granted, now 11,098,463.
Prior Publication US 2021/0301504 A1, Sep. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. E02F 9/28 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 9/2833 (2013.01) [E02F 9/2825 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power locking device comprising:
a body defining a longitudinal axis, a first axial end disposed along the longitudinal axis, a second axial end disposed along the longitudinal axis, and a blind bore extending from the first axial end including a bottom surface disposed proximate the second axial end;
an electroactive polymer disposed in the blind bore;
a sliding lock member disposed in the blind bore and contacting the electroactive polymer; and
a current source in electrical communication with the electroactive polymer,
wherein the sliding lock member includes a forward locking portion, a rear head portion including a forward activation surface, and a stem connecting the forward locking portion to the rear head portion, and the electroactive polymer contacts the body of the power locking device and the forward activation surface of the rear head portion.