Jose Manuel Arellano

US Patent:

20130146155, Jun 13, 2013

Filed:

Dec 11, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/711391

Inventors:

CHEVRON U.S.A. INC. - San Ramon CA, US
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - Cambridge MA, US
Donald Bryan Freeman - Houston TX, US
Jose Arellano - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - Cambridge MA
CHEVRON U.S.A. INC. - San Ramon CA

International Classification:

F16K 31/12

US Classification:

137468

Abstract:

A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions responsive to at least a threshold amount of temperature change of the shape memory alloy element. The valve actuator further includes a negative-differential spring applied to the shape memory alloy element, thereby reducing the threshold amount of temperature change needed to cause movement of the valve between the first and second positions.