| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention relates to a valve (24) suitable for use in the fuel supply system of a diesel engine. The valve is capable of diverting an incoming supply of fuel to one of two possible outlets (44,46) depending upon the temperature of the fuel. The valve (24) comprises a chamber (48), an inlet (42) and two outlets (44,46). A movable valve member (50) is located within the chamber (48). The valve (24) also includes at least one resilient biasing means (56) and a shape memory alloy (SMA) component (58). The SMA component (58) has a transformation temperature and co-operates with the resilient biasing means (56) to bias the valve member (50) to a first position closing at least one outlet (44). The SMA component is in thermal contact with any liquid within the chamber (48) and as the temperature of the SMA component reaches the transformation temperature it changes size and biases the valve member (50) to a second position closing a different outlet (46). <IMAGE></p> |
