Valve including a shape memory alloy member

摘要

A valve selectively opens and closes a passageway defined by a port. The valve comprises a body defining outer and inner surfaces; the inner surface defining an inner cavity. A sealing arm extends from the body into the inner cavity and is movable between first and second positions for closing and opening the passageway, respectively. A shape memory alloy member is disposed at least partially along the outer surface and alternates between first and second lengths in de-energized and energized states, respectively. The first length is greater than the second length, which constricts about the body. A leg extends from the body into the inner cavity and is moveable between initial and activated positions in the de-energized and energized states, respectively. The leg engages and moves the sealing arm from the first position to the second position when the leg moves from the initial position to the activated position.

主权项

1. A valve for selectively opening and closing a passageway defined by a port and selectively permitting the flow of a fluid therethrough, said valve comprising:
a body defining an outer surface and an inner surface with said inner surface defining an inner cavity; a sealing arm mounted to and extending from said body into said inner cavity and movable relative to said body between a first position for closing the passageway defined by the port, and a second position for opening the passageway defined by the port; a shape memory alloy member mounted to said body and disposed at least partially along said outer surface with said shape memory alloy member alternating between a first length when said shape memory alloy member is in a de-energized state, and a second length when said shape memory alloy member is in an energized state with said first length greater than said second length such that said shape memory alloy member constricts about said body when said shape memory alloy member is said second length; and a leg mounted to and extending from said body into said inner cavity and moveable between an initial position when said shape memory alloy member is in said de-energized state and an activated position when said shape memory alloy member is in said energized state, said leg correspondingly engaging and moving said sealing arm from said first position to said second position when said leg moves from said initial position to said activated position for opening the passageway defined by the port.