Memory wire actuated control valve
First Claim
1. An actuator comprising:
- a housing defining an interior cavity;
an electrical platform mounted in said interior cavity of said housing;
a memory wire having first and second ends, said first and second ends connected to said electrical platform;
a transfer mechanism coupled to said memory wire such that contraction the length of said memory wire causes said transfer mechanism to move to an actuated position and expansion of the length of said memory wire allows said transfer mechanism to move to a de-actuated position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A memory wire actuated control valve comprises a memory wire actuator operatively coupled to a fluid control valve. The memory wire actuator includes a housing having an interior cavity enclosing an electrical platform assembly, an activation wire and a transfer mechanism. The activation wire is formed of a shape memory alloy, often called a “memory wire” or “muscle wire.” The activation wire is electrically connected to the electrical platform and mechanically coupled to the transfer mechanism. The actuator is activated by conducting electrical current through the activation wire causing the wire to contract thereby actuating the transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism is operable coupled to the fluid control valve such that actuated and de-actuating the transfer mechanism open and closes the valve.
152 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An actuator comprising:
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a housing defining an interior cavity;
an electrical platform mounted in said interior cavity of said housing;
a memory wire having first and second ends, said first and second ends connected to said electrical platform;
a transfer mechanism coupled to said memory wire such that contraction the length of said memory wire causes said transfer mechanism to move to an actuated position and expansion of the length of said memory wire allows said transfer mechanism to move to a de-actuated position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An actuator comprising:
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a housing defining an interior cavity, a memory wire having first and second ends, an electrical platform means for providing an electrical potential across said memory wire, said electrical means mounted in said interior cavity of said housing;
a transfer means coupled to said memory wire for transferring the force caused by contraction and expansion of the length of said memory wire to an output device.
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11. A memory wire actuated control valve comprising:
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an actuator comprising;
a housing defining an interior cavity;
an electrical platform mounted in said interior cavity of said housing;
a memory wire having first and second ends, said first and second ends connected to said electrical platform;
a transfer mechanism coupled to said memory wire such that contraction the length of said memory wire causes said transfer mechanism to move to an actuated position and expansion of the length of said memory wire allows said transfer mechanism to move to a de-actuated position;
a valve operable coupled to said transfer mechanism such that actuation of the transfer mechanism acts to open and close the valve. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification