# US 9,752,686 B2 · Shape memory alloy valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,686 B2 - Document ID: US9752686B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/938,391 - Filed: 2015-11-11 - Published: 2016-03-03 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-12 - Assignees: A. Raymond Et Cie - Applicants: A. Raymond & Cie - Inventors: Nicholas Jackson, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752686B2 ## CPC - F16K 1/221: {specially adapted operating means therefor (operating means per se F16K31/00)} - F16K 5/06: with plugs having spherical surfaces; Packings therefor - F16K 5/0652: {for remote operation} - F16K 17/386: {the closure members being rotatable or pivoting} - F16K 25/005: {Particular materials for seats or closure elements} - F16K 27/0218: {Butterfly valves} - F16K 27/067: {with spherical plugs} - F16K 31/002: {actuated by temperature variation (thermo-electric F16K31/025)} - F16K 31/003: {operated without a stable intermediate position, e.g. with snap action (F16K31/56 takes precedence)} - F16K 31/02: electric {(F16K31/004 takes precedence)}; magnetic - G05D 23/1852: {with sensing element expanding and contracting in response to change of temperature} - 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)} - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is a spring which is separate from the shape memory trigger and is not a shape memory alloy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is polymeric and the shape memory trigger is a metallic and unlooped wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shape memory trigger and actuator are mounted to an outside of the housing so that the shape memory trigger is exposed to ambient air. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicular fuel tube is connected to the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chemical-carrying manufacturing plant tube is connected to the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water-carrying building sprinkler is connected to the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the valve includes a rotating and substantially spherical ball valve with a bore therethrough; and the housing includes a polymeric quick connector with spaced apart ridges adapted to receive a flexible tube thereon. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The valve apparatus of claim 9, wherein the actuator rotates the valve if the heat moves the shape memory trigger. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The valve apparatus of claim 9, wherein the shape memory trigger, being an elongated and unlooped wire, and the actuator are mounted to an outside of the housing so that the shape memory wire is exposed to ambient air. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The valve apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator rotates the valve if the heat causes movement of the shape memory wire. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The valve apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator rotates the valve if the electricity causes movement of the shape memory wire. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The valve apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator is a spring which is separate from the shape memory wire and is not a shape memory alloy. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The valve apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housing is polymeric and the shape memory wire is metallic and unlooped. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The valve apparatus of claim 17, wherein the vehicular fuel tube is connected to the fluid connector. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The valve apparatus of claim 17, wherein the chemical-carrying manufacturing plant tube is connected to the fluid connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The valve apparatus of claim 17, wherein the water-carrying building sprinkler is connected to the fluid connector.