Fluid control valve utilizing shape memory alloy driving spring

Abstract

A fluid control valve having a shape memory alloy spring for moving the valve member between an open position and a closed position is provided. The valve includes a valve assembly cylinder, a valve assembly cap fitted to the cylinder, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet associated with the cylinder, a first member having a cam follower groove, a second member having a cam operatively associated with the groove, a fluid flow gate associated with one of the members as well as the inlet and the outlet, a return spring associated with one of the members, and the shape memory alloy spring associated with one of the members. The length of the shape memory alloy spring changes in response to changes in temperature. The first member is either a rotating valve or a reciprocating member. The second member is either a reciprocating ring or a rotating valve cylinder.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A fluid control valve comprising:
 a valve assembly cylinder;   a valve assembly cap fitted to said cylinder;   a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said inlet and said outlet being associated with said cylinder;   a first member having a cam follower groove, said groove having an arcuate portion, said first member being a reciprocating member;   a second member having a cam follower operatively associated with said groove;   a fluid flow gate associated with one of said members, said inlet and said outlet;   a return spring associated with one of said members; and   a shape memory alloy spring associated with said one of said members.   
     
     
         22 . The fluid control valve of  claim 21  wherein said valve assembly cap is locked against rotation. 
     
     
         23 . The fluid control valve of  claim 22  wherein said reciprocating member has a fluted stem extending therefrom and wherein said stem reciprocatingly mates with a slot formed in said valve assembly cap. 
     
     
         24 . The fluid control valve of  claim 21  wherein said second member said second member is a rotating valve cylinder having said flow gate fitted thereto. 
     
     
         25 . A fluid control valve comprising:
 a valve assembly cylinder;   a valve assembly cap fitted to said cylinder;   a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said inlet and said outlet being associated with said cylinder;   a first member having a cam follower groove, said groove having an arcuate portion;   a second member having a cam follower operatively associated with said groove;   a fluid flow gate associated with one of said members, said inlet and said outlet;   a return spring associated with one of said members, said second member being a rotating valve cylinder having said flow gate fitted thereto; and   a shape memory alloy spring associated with said one of said members.   
     
     
         26 . The fluid control valve of  claim 25  wherein said rotating valve cylinder has an inner wall and wherein said cam follower extends from said inner wall. 
     
     
         27 . The fluid control valve of  claim 25  wherein said first member is a reciprocating member. 
     
     
         28 . A fluid control valve comprising:
 a valve assembly cylinder; a valve assembly cap fitted to said cylinder;   a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said inlet and said outlet being associated with said cylinder;   a rotating member having a fluid flow gate;   a reciprocating member operatively associated with said rotating member such that axial movement of said reciprocating member is translated into rotational movement of said rotating member, said reciprocating member having a groove and said rotating member having a cam follower, said cam follower being movable in said groove;   a shape memory alloy spring associated with said reciprocating member, whereby said spring acts upon said reciprocating member; and   a return spring associated with said reciprocating member.   
     
     
         29 . The fluid control valve of  claim 28  wherein said valve assembly cap is locked against rotation and wherein said reciprocating member has a fluted stem extending therefrom, said stem reciprocatingly mating with a slot formed in said valve assembly cap.