Pinch valve
AssigneeFluid Automation Systems S.A.
InventorNicolas Deperraz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pinch valve (100) is provided. The pinch valve (100) includes a base (101). The pinch valve (100) further includes a deformable sleeve (405), including an aperture (406), coupled to the base (101). The pinch valve (100) further includes one or more shape memory alloy elements (203) coupled to the base (101) and extending around at least a portion of the deformable sleeve (405).
Claims15
An apparatus (100), comprising:
- a base (101);
- a deformable sleeve (405), including an aperture (406), coupled to the base (101);
- and
- one or more shape memory alloy elements (203) coupled to the base (101) and extending around at least a portion of the deformable sleeve (405).
A method of operating a pinch valve including a base, a deformable sleeve coupled to the base, one or more shape memory alloy elements coupled to the base and extending around at least a portion of the deformable sleeve, and a tube extending through an aperture formed in the deformable sleeve, the method comprising steps of:
- heating the one or more shape memory alloy elements above a transformation temperature;
- deforming the deformable sleeve;
- and
- compressing at least a portion of the tube using the one or more shape memory alloy elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.