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US 2011/0209769 A1Published application
Thermally operated valve
OwnerRichard K. Chuninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve has a housing including a valve seat. A valve pin is supported by a housing through a support shell. The support shell and the valve pin have distinct coefficients of thermal expansion such that when exposed to a temperature change, movement of the support shell moves differently than the pin. In this way, the valve pin can be caused to move toward and away from the valve seat to allow operation of the valve.
Claims15
A valve comprising:
- a housing including a valve seat;
- a valve pin, said valve pin supported by a support shell;
- and
- said support shell and said valve pin having distinct coefficients of thermal expansion such that when exposed to a temperature change, movement of said support shell and said valve pin being different, and said valve pin can be caused to move toward and away from said valve seat to allow operation of said valve.
1 more element
A valve comprising:
- a housing including a valve seat;
- a valve pin supported by a support shell;
- said support shell having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than said valve pin such that when exposed to a temperature change, expansion of said support shell being greater than said valve pin, and said valve pin being caused to move toward and away from said valve seat to allow operation of said valve;
- an end of said valve pin and an end of said support shell remote from said valve seat secured together such that the movement of said support shell causes said valve pin to move relative to said valve seat;
- and
- a heater provided to cause said movement of said valve pin relative to said valve seat.
3 more elements
A method of operating a valve including the steps of:
- (a) providing a housing including a valve seat;
- (b) connecting a valve pin to a support shell, said support shell and said valve pin having distinct coefficients of thermal expansion;
- and
- (c) said valve pin and said support shell moving in response to a temperature change with movement of said support shell and said valve pin being different, and said valve pin moving toward or away from said valve seat to allow operation of said valve.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.