Fluid flow control device and system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10364909-B2
Application number	US-201715680990-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2017
Priority date	Aug 18, 2017
Publication date	Jul 30, 2019
Grant date	Jul 30, 2019

Abstract

A fluid flow control device includes a resilient substrate translatable between a first flattened position and a second extended position, and an actuator attached to the resilient substrate. The actuator is configured for translating the resilient substrate from the first flattened position to the second extended position. The actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy. A fluid flow control system includes a rotor shield and the fluid flow control device attached to the rotor shield.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid flow control device comprising:
a resilient substrate translatable between a first flattened position and a second extended position; and
an actuator attached to the resilient substrate and configured for translating the resilient substrate from the first flattened position to the second extended position;
wherein the actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy;
wherein the resilient substrate defines a first void, a second void spaced apart from the first void, and a slit connecting the first void and the second void;
wherein the actuator is configured as a wire that contracts in length in response to the change in temperature and includes a first crimped end and a second crimped end spaced apart from the first crimped end;
wherein the first crimped end is disposed in the first void and the second crimped end is disposed in the second void such that the wire rests within the slit.

2. The fluid flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the shape memory alloy transitions between the first state and the second state to translate the resilient substrate from the first flattened position to the second extended position.

3. The fluid flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the resilient substrate translates from the second extended position to the first flattened position as the shape memory alloy cools and transitions from the second state to the first state.

4. The fluid flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the resilient substrate has a deflection of less than or equal to 3 mm from the first flattened position when the resilient substrate is disposed in the second extended position.

5. The fluid flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the resilient substrate is disposed in a plane and includes a flap articulatable out of the plane.

6. The fluid flow control device of claim 5 , wherein the actuator is attached to the flap and articulates the flap out of the plane as the shape memory alloy transitions from the first state to the second state.

7. The fluid flow control device of claim 5 , wherein the actuator is attached to the flap and disposes the flap in the plane as the shape memory alloy cools and transitions from the second state to the first state.

8. The fluid flow control device of claim 1 , further including a housing defining a duct configured to direct fluid flow towards the shape memory alloy.

9. The fluid flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the resilient substrate is formed from at least one of a plastic and a spring steel.

10. A fluid flow control system comprising:
a rotor shield defining:
a cooling channel;
a first slot adjacent the cooling channel;
a second slot spaced apart from and disposed parallel to the first slot; and
a third slot spaced apart from and disposed perpendicular to the first slot and the second slot; and

a fluid flow control device attached to the rotor shield and including:
a resilient substrate covering the cooling channel and having:
a first end disposed in the first slot;
a second end disposed in the second slot;
a central portion disposed between the first end and the second end; and
a third portion projecting from the central portion and disposed within the third slot;

wherein the resilient substrate is translatable between a first flattened position and a second extended position; and
an actuator attached to the resilient substrate and configured for translating the resilient substrate from the first flattened position to the second extended position, wherein the actuator is formed from a shape memory alloy transitionable between a first state and a second state in response to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy.

11. The fluid flow control system of claim 10 , wherein the actuator is fastened to the resilient substrate between the central portion and the first end and between the central portion and the second end.

12. The fluid flow control system of claim 11 , further including a first fastener attached to the resilient substrate and a second fastener spaced apart from the first fastener and attached to the resilient substrate.

13. The fluid flow control system of claim 12 , wherein the shape memory alloy is configured as a continuous loop that is attached to the first fastener and the second fastener and contracts in length in response to the change in temperature.

14. The fluid flow control system of claim 10 , wherein the shape memory alloy transitions from the first state to the second state to translate the resilient substrate from the first flattened position to the second extended position and thereby permit fluid flow through the cooling channel.

15. The fluid flow control system of claim 14 , wherein the resilient substrate forms a conical scoop when the resilient substrate is disposed in the second extended position.

16. The fluid flow control system of claim 14 , wherein the resilient substrate translates from the second extended position to the first flattened position as the shape memory alloy cools and transitions from the second state to the first state to thereby block fluid flow through the cooling channel.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc
• Dynalloy Inc

Inventors

• Skurkis Richard J
• Alexander Paul W
• Smith Anthony L
• Brown James H
• Ownby Tyler P
• Gao Xiujie

Classifications

• F16K99/0038

  using shape memory alloys · CPC title

• F16K31/465

  by flexible transmission means, e.g. cable, chain, bowden wire · CPC title

• F16K31/025

  actuated by thermo-electric means · CPC title

• G05D23/08

  with bimetallic element · CPC title

• F16K99/0005

  Lift valves · CPC title