FLUID CONTROL VALVE UTILIZING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY DRIVING SPRING

摘要

A fluid control valve having a shape memory alloy spring for moving a valve member between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve includes a valve assembly cylinder, a valve assembly cap fitted to the cylinder, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet associated with the cylinder, a first member having a cam follower groove, a second member having a cam operatively associated with the groove, a fluid flow gate associated with one of the members as well as the inlet and the outlet, a return spring associated with one of the members, and the shape memory alloy spring associated with one of the members. The length of the shape memory alloy spring changes in response to changes in temperature. The first member is either a rotating valve or a reciprocating member. The second member is either a reciprocating ring or a rotating valve cylinder.