# US 11,079,362 B2 · Retention of deformable memory material in flow path

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- Number: US 11,079,362 B2
- Document ID: US11079362B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/209,107
- Filed: 2018-12-04
- Published: 2019-04-18
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-02
- Assignees: FLIR Detection, Inc.
- Applicants: FLIR Detection, Inc.
- Inventors: Craig Aker; Steven Keen; Lara Wald; Mark Fisher
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079362B2

## CPC

- F03G 7/0612: {using polymers}
- F03G 7/0614: {using shape memory elements}
- F16K 31/002: {actuated by temperature variation (thermo-electric F16K31/025)}
- F16K 31/025: {actuated by thermo-electric means}
- G01N 31/22: using chemical indicators (G01N31/02 takes precedence)
- F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00)
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

Various techniques are provided to secure a memory polymer component in a flow path. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a memory component in a rest state, performing a deformation operation to transition the component from the rest state to a deformed state, inserting the component into a flow path defined by interior side walls of a structure, and applying a stimulus to transition the component from the deformed state to an intermediate state in which the component abuts the side walls to secure the component in the flow path. Additional devices, systems, and related methods are also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
providing a memory material component in a rest state;
performing a deformation operation to transition the component from the rest state to a deformed state;
inserting the component into a flow path defined by fixed interior side walls of a structure;
applying a stimulus to transition the component from the deformed state to an intermediate state in which the component abuts the side walls to secure the component in the flow path, wherein the component comprises a memory polymer configured to passively receive the stimulus from an external source to transition from the deformed state to the intermediate state;
wherein the component comprises a catalyst configured to facilitate a reaction in response to a precursor received through the flow path;
wherein the structure is part of a chemical detector responsive to the reaction to determine whether a material of interest is present; and
wherein the component in the rest state exhibits a first width greater than an interior diameter of the flow path, the component in the deformed state exhibits a second width smaller than the interior diameter, and the component in the intermediate state exhibits a third width between the first and second widths.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the applying a stimulus comprises heating the component.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the deformation operation comprises: twisting, stretching, compressing, and/or bending the component.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the component is provided as part of a bulk memory material;
the deformation operation is performed on the bulk memory material; and
the method further comprises severing the deformed component from the bulk memory material prior to the inserting.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a solid strip of memory material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the component comprises a memory material and a binding agent.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the structure is a substantially cylindrical capillary tube.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the precursor is a vapor-phase nitric acid precursor and the catalyst is an acid catalyst configured to hydrolyze the vapor-phase nitric acid precursor to form nitric acid; and
the chemical detector is responsive to the nitric acid to determine whether the material of interest is present.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A device comprising a memory material component secured in a flow path by the method of claim 1.

### Claim 10

A device comprising:
a structure comprising fixed interior side walls defining a flow path;
a memory material component disposed within the flow path;
wherein the component is secured within the flow path by abutment against the side walls in response to:
a deformation operation to transition the component from a rest state to a deformed state for insertion into the flow path, and
an application of a stimulus to transition the component from the deformed state to an intermediate state in which the component abuts the side walls, wherein the component comprises a memory polymer configured to passively receive the stimulus from an external source to transition from the deformed state to the intermediate state;
wherein the component comprises is a catalyst configured to facilitate a reaction in response to a precursor received through the flow path;
wherein the structure is part of a chemical detector responsive to the reaction to determine whether a material of interest is present; and
wherein the component in the rest state exhibits a first width greater than an interior diameter of the flow path, the component in the deformed state exhibits a second width smaller than the interior diameter, and the component in the intermediate state exhibits a third width between the first and second widths.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein the stimulus is heat applied to the deformed component.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein the deformation operation comprises: twisting, stretching, compressing, and/or bending the component.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein the component comprises a solid strip of memory material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein the component comprises a memory material and a binding agent.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein the structure is a substantially cylindrical capillary tube.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The device of claim 10, wherein:
the precursor is a vapor-phase nitric acid precursor and the catalyst is an acid catalyst configured to hydrolyze the vapor-phase nitric acid precursor to form nitric acid; and
the chemical detector is responsive to the nitric acid to determine whether the material of interest is present.