Abstract: An electrically controlled fluid control valve comprises an electrical position controller governed by a signal proportional to the position of a movable element of the valve to regulate current to a shape memory alloy (SMA) valve actuator to position the movable element to a desired position. The control valve may also include a temperature controller governed by a signal provided by a temperature-sensing element in proximity to the valve actuator to activate a cooling device for reducing the surrounding temperature. A digital selector switch may be used for generating a digital code of a selected heating rate which may govern the electrical controller to regulate current to the SMA drive element. The electrical controller may also be governed by both position measurement and a temperature signals to regulate current to the SMA valve actuator and to control the cooling device to position the movable element to a desired position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 11, 2001
Date of Patent:
October 15, 2002
Assignee:
Swangelok Company
Inventors:
Antonio Hines, Theodore J. Gausman, William H. Glime, Steven H. Hill, Bruce S. Rigsby