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US 10,473,226 B2Granted
Heat exchanger valves
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorScott W. Simpson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve for a heat exchanger includes a base configured to be positioned adjacent to an inlet end of a heat exchanger, a heating element positioned on the base, and a flap connected to the base that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The open position permits the flow of fluid into the inlet end of the heat exchanger and the closed position blocks the flow of fluid into the inlet end. The flap is made from a heat responsive material.
Claims27
A valve for a heat exchanger, the valve comprising:
- a base configured to be positioned adjacent to an inlet end of a heat exchanger;
- a heating element positioned on the base;
- and
- a flap connected to the base that is movable between an open position that permits the flow of fluid into the inlet end of the heat exchanger and a closed position that blocks the flow of fluid into the inlet end, wherein the flap is made from a heat responsive material, and wherein the heating element is configured to heat the flap to move the flap between the open position and the closed position.
1 more element
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first flow path with an inlet and an outlet;
- a second flow path with an inlet and an outlet;
- and
- a valve positioned adjacent to the inlet of the first flow path, wherein the valve comprises:
- a base;
- a heating element positioned on the base;
- and
- a flap connected to the base that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the flap is made from a heat responsive material, and wherein the heating element is configured to heat the flap to move the flap between the open position and the closed position.
5 more elements
A method of controlling the flow of fluid through a heat exchanger, the method comprising:
- positioning a valve adjacent to an inlet of a first flow path of a heat exchanger, the valve including a heat responsive flap that is movable between a first position and a second position;
- selectively applying heat to the heat responsive flap with a heating element positioned on a base connected to the heat responsive flap to move the flap from the first position to the second position;
- and
- discontinuing the application of heat to the heat responsive flap to move the flap from the second position to the first position.
1 more element
A valve for a heat exchanger, the valve comprising:
- a base configured to be positioned adjacent to an inlet end of a heat exchanger;
- a heating element positioned on the base;
- a first flap connected to the base that is movable between an open position that permits the flow of fluid into the inlet end of the heat exchanger and a closed position that blocks the flow of fluid into the inlet end, wherein the first flap is made from a heat responsive material;
- and
- a second flap connected to the base that is movable between an open position that permits the flow of fluid into the inlet end of the heat exchanger and a closed position that blocks the flow of fluid into the inlet end, wherein the second flap is made from a heat responsive material.
2 more elements
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first flow path with an inlet and an outlet;
- a second flow path with an inlet and an outlet;
- fins extending from the outlet to the inlet in the first flow path that form passages in the first flow path;
- fins extending from the outlet to the inlet in the second flow path that form passages in the second flow path;
- and
- a valve positioned adjacent to one passage at the inlet of the first flow path, wherein the valve comprises:
- a base, wherein the base of the valve is connected to one fin in the first flow path;
- a heating element positioned on the base;
- and
- a flap connected to the base that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the flap is made from a heat responsive material.
7 more elements
A heat exchanger comprising:
- a first flow path with an inlet and an outlet;
- a second flow path with an inlet and an outlet;
- fins extending from the outlet to the inlet in the first flow path that form passages in the first flow path;
- fins extending from the outlet to the inlet in the second flow path that form passages in the second flow path;
- and
- a valve positioned adjacent to the inlet of the first flow path, wherein the valve comprises:
- a base;
- a heating element positioned on the base;
- and
- a first flap connected to the base that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first flap is made from a heat responsive material;
- a second flap connected to the base that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the second flap is made from a material that is configured to move between the open position and the closed position when it is heated.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.