Patent · US Active

Opening or closing a fluid flow path using a material that expands or contracts via a change in temperature

US9534701B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
2References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 31, 2012
Grant dateJan 3, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 12, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7737
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A device for opening or closing a fluid flow path comprises: a fluid inlet, wherein the fluid inlet comprises one end of the fluid flow path; an inlet covering, wherein the inlet covering is adjacent to the fluid inlet; and a material, wherein the material is capable of expanding or contracting via a change in temperature; wherein the expansion or contraction of the material causes movement to the inlet covering, and wherein the movement of the inlet covering either opens or closes the fluid flow path. A method for opening or closing a fluid flow path using the device comprises: allowing or causing a change in temperature to the material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.