Back to results
US 2015/0354719 A1Published application
Shape memory alloy actuator for valve for a vapour compression system
AssigneeDanfoss A/S
InventorsJohan van Beek, Michael Birkelund
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeDanfoss A/S
InventorsJohan van Beek, Michael Birkelund
Estimating the term…
The invention relates to an actuator for a valve in a refrigeration system. The invention also relates to a valve with such actuator, and to a refrigeration system with such valve. The actuator comprises an elongated Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) element extending along two or more string-like extensions from a distant end to a proximate end in relation to a valve element of a valve. The SMA element, when forming part of the valve, may extend from the distant end to the proximate end connected to a housing of the SMA element, however, electrically insulated from the housing. An encapsulation may provide a thermal resistance, a thermal conductor and/or an electrical resistance between the SMA element and other elements or the surroundings of the SMA element.
An actuator for a valve in vapour compression system, the actuator comprising an elongated Shape Memory Alloy element, said Shape Memory Alloy element, when forming part of the valve, having one end intended for being distant to a valve element of the valve, and a second end intended for being proximate to the valve element of the valve, and where the Shape Memory Alloy element extends from the distant end (P1) to the proximate end (P2) along at least two, preferably parallel, extensions of the Shape Memory Alloy element, wherein said actuator comprising at least one encapsulation constituting an elongated body for the elongated Shape Memory Alloy element, and where the at least one encapsulation encapsulates the at least two extensions of the Shape Memory Alloy element, and where the at least one encapsulation provides a thermal resistance between a temperature of the Shape Memory Alloy element and a temperature of an environment of the encapsulation and of the at least two extensions of the Shape Memory Alloy element.
An actuator for a valve in a refrigeration system, the actuator comprising an elongated Shape Memory Alloy element, said Shape Memory Alloy element, when forming part of the valve, having one end intended for being distant to a valve element of the valve, and a second end intended for being proximate to the valve element of the valve, and where the Shape Memory Alloy element extends from the distant end (P1) to the proximate end (P2), where the Shape Memory Alloy element is connected to a housing of the Shape Memory Alloy element at the distant end (P1), electrically insulated from the housing, and where the Shape Memory Alloy element extends between the distant end (P1) and the proximate end (P2), electrically insulated from the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.