Heat-activated flue damper actuator

摘要

A heat activated flue damper actuator employing an assembly of shape memory alloy springs with linkages to a conventionally designed contemporary flue damper. The combination of the spring material, spring configuration and dimensions, linkage/fastening scheme to the flue damper shaft and placement in the water heater's heating chamber are all controlled to optimize the energy efficiency of a conventionally designed, pilot-lit or pilotless ignition, contemporary gas water heater.