Opening or closing a fluid flow path using a material that expands or contracts via a change in temperature

摘要

A device for opening or closing a fluid flow path comprises: a fluid inlet, wherein the fluid inlet comprises one end of the fluid flow path; an inlet covering, wherein the inlet covering is adjacent to the fluid inlet; and a material, wherein the material is capable of expanding or contracting via a change in temperature; wherein the expansion or contraction of the material causes movement to the inlet covering, and wherein the movement of the inlet covering either opens or closes the fluid flow path. A method for opening or closing a fluid flow path using the device comprises: allowing or causing a change in temperature to the material.

主权项

1. A device for opening or closing a fluid flow path comprising:
a fluid inlet, wherein the fluid inlet comprises one end of the fluid flow path; an inlet covering, wherein the inlet covering is adjacent to the fluid inlet; a material, wherein the material is capable of expanding or contracting via a change in temperature; wherein the expansion or contraction of the material causes movement to the inlet covering, and wherein the movement of the inlet covering either opens or closes the fluid flow path; a chamber, wherein the chamber is adjacent to the inlet covering, wherein the material is placed in the chamber; an expansion restrictor configured to direct the expansion of the material in a desired direction; a shear pin located adjacent to the inlet covering, wherein the shear pin is configured to break when a pre-determined amount of force is applied to the shear pin to enable the inlet covering to move; and a retainer located adjacent to the shear pin configured to prevent the inlet covering from moving back into a closed position after the movement of the inlet covering into the open position.