Abstract: A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.

Abstract: A transmission fluid circuit for regulating the flow of a fluid includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a spool, and an actuator including a smart material. The spool is movable inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The smart material is configured to be in an activated state in response to the fluid exhibiting at least a first temperature and to be in a deactivated state in response to the fluid being a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature. The fluid flows from the housing to the transmission and from the transmission to the housing when the spool is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler, from the cooler to the transmission, and from the transmission to the housing when the spool is in the second position.

Abstract: A fluid circuit includes a device, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a sealing member, a biasing device, and an actuator. The sealing member moves inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a smart material that is activated when the temperature of a fluid inside the housing exhibiting at least a first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the second position. The smart material is deactivated when the fluid is a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the device and then to the housing when the sealing member is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler and then to the device when the sealing member is in the second position.

Abstract: A fluid circuit includes a device, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a sealing member, a biasing device, and an actuator. The sealing member moves inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes a smart material that is activated when the temperature of a fluid inside the housing exhibiting at least a first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the second position. The smart material is deactivated when the fluid is a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature, causing the sealing member to move to the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the device and then to the housing when the sealing member is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler and then to the device when the sealing member is in the second position.

Abstract: A fluid bypass valve includes a valve member disposed within a valve chamber. The valve member closes fluid communication between a first port and a second port disposed in a first position, and connects the first port and the second port in fluid communication when disposed in a second position. The valve member includes a temperature based actuating mechanism that positions the valve member in the first position when a temperature of a fluid is equal to or less than a pre-defined temperature, and positions the valve member in the second position when the temperature of the fluid is greater than the pre-defined temperature. A temporary spacer is disposed within the valve chamber, and positions the valve member in the second position. The temporary spacer includes a melting temperature approximately equal to the pre-defined temperature at which the valve member moves between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A valve directs fluid flow received from a device to one of a heater and a cooler. The valve includes a spool movably disposed in the housing between a first, second, and third position. An actuator is in fluid communication with the fluid. The actuator includes a smart material that deactivates when the fluid temperature is no greater than a first temperature, partially activated when the fluid temperature is greater than the first temperature, and fully activated when the fluid temperature is at least equal to a second temperature. The spool moves to the first position when deactivated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the heater. The spool moves to the second position when partially activated to prevent fluid from flowing to each of the heater and the cooler. The spool moves to the third position when fully activated and fluid flows from the cavity, to the cooler.

Abstract: A transmission fluid circuit for regulating the flow of a fluid includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The valve includes a housing, a spool, and an actuator including a smart material. The spool is movable inside the housing between a first position and a second position. The smart material is configured to be in an activated state in response to the fluid exhibiting at least a first temperature and to be in a deactivated state in response to the fluid being a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature. The fluid flows from the housing to the transmission and from the transmission to the housing when the spool is in the first position. The fluid flows from the housing to the cooler, from the cooler to the transmission, and from the transmission to the housing when the spool is in the second position.