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US 9,752,686 B2Granted
Shape memory alloy valve
AssigneeA. Raymond Et Cie
InventorNicholas Jackson, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.
Claims20
A valve apparatus comprising:
- (a) a valve;
- (b) a housing including an internal passageway within which the valve is located;
- (c) a shape memory trigger movable in response to environmental and external heat;
- (d) an actuator automatically rotating the valve and changing a flow condition of the valve based upon movement of the shape memory trigger;
- and
- (e) the heat causing the valve to move to a fail-safe position on at least one of the following:
- (i) a vehicular fuel tube connected to the housing with the valve blocking fuel flowing from the tube;
- (ii) a manufacturing plant tube connected to the housing with the valve blocking chemicals flowing from the tube;
- or
- (iii) a building sprinkler connected to the housing with the valve opening to allow water to flow to the sprinkler.
7 more elements
A valve apparatus comprising:
- (a) a rotating butterfly valve with flat closing faces;
- (b) a housing including an internal passageway within which the valve is located, the housing further including a polymeric quick connector with spaced apart ridges adapted to receive a flexible tube thereon;
- (c) a shape memory trigger movable in response to environmental and external heat;
- (d) an actuator automatically changing a flow condition of the valve based upon movement of the shape memory trigger;
- and
- (e) the heat causing the valve to move to a fail-safe position on at least one of the following:
- (i) a vehicular fuel tube connected to the housing with the valve blocking fuel flowing from the tube;
- (ii) a manufacturing plant tube connected to the housing with the valve blocking chemicals flowing from the tube;
- or
- (iii) a building sprinkler connected to the housing with the valve opening to allow water to flow to the sprinkler.
7 more elements
A valve apparatus comprising:
- (a) a valve;
- (b) a housing including an internal passageway within which the valve is located;
- (c) a shape memory wire movable in response to at least one changeable operating condition of:
- (a) environmental and external heat, or (b) electricity;
- (d) an actuator automatically changing a flow condition of the valve based upon movement of the shape memory wire;
- (e) a change in the operating condition causing the valve to move to a fail-safe position on a vehicular fuel tube connected to the housing with the valve being adapted to block fuel flowing from the tube;
- and
- (f) the shape memory wire and actuator being mounted to an outside of the housing so that the shape memory wire is exposed to ambient air.
5 more elements
A valve apparatus comprising:
- (a) a valve;
- (b) a fluid connector including an internal passageway within which the valve is located;
- (c) a shape memory trigger movable in response to environmental and external heat;
- (d) a spring automatically changing a flow condition of the valve based upon movement of the shape memory trigger;
- (e) the heat causing the valve to move to a fail-safe position on at least one of the following:
- (i) a vehicular fuel tube connected to the fluid connector with the valve blocking fuel flowing from the tube;
- (ii) a manufacturing plant tube connected to the fluid connector with the valve blocking chemicals flowing from the tube;
- or
- (iii) a building sprinkler connected to the fluid connector with the valve opening to allow water to flow to the sprinkler;
- and
- (f) the trigger being mounted outside of the fluid connecter.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.