An airflow sensor for a heat sink has a first portion having a first electrical point of contact, a second portion have a second electrical point of contact, and a deformable portion made of an electroactive material electrically coupled to the first and second portions. The deformable portion has first electrical properties measured between the first and second electrical points of contact when there is no airflow and the deformable portion is in a first position, and has second electrical properties different than the first electrical properties when a source of airflow blows air against the deformable portion, thereby causing the deformable portion to extend to a second position farther away from the source of airflow than the first position. The airflow sensor can be incorporated into a heat sink for an electronic component.

A method for preventing formation of droplets in a heat exchanger, in which a second medium transfers heat to a first. The method is performed by a controller which receives different temperature values (T.sub.1, T.sub.2, T.sub.3) and a pressure (P) value to be used for calculating a boiling point temperature value (T.sub.B) and determining a first temperature difference (ΔT.sub.1) and a second temperature difference (ΔT.sub.2). Generating a flow control signal, for controlling the flow of the first medium into the heat exchanger, based on the first temperature difference (ΔT.sub.1), the second temperature difference (ΔT.sub.2) and the first temperature value T.sub.1 and sending the flow control signal to a regulator device for controlling the flow of the first medium in the heat exchanger.

An apparatus and method for melting snow and/or ice on a vehicle comprises a precipitation sensor, a surface temperature sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a heater, and a programmable controller. The programmable controller comprises a memory unit to store a cut off surface temperature Tc, and a set of program modules. The programmable controller further comprises a processor to execute the set of program modules. A heater control module, executed by the processor, is configured to deactivate a heater based on a surface temperature being greater than the cut off surface temperature. Further, heater control module is configured to activate the heater based on an ambient temperature being lower than freezing point of water and precipitation being present outside the vehicle, thereby melting snow and/or ice on the vehicle. The snow melts off because of heat generated by the heater upon activation.

An apparatus and method for melting snow and/or ice on a vehicle comprises a precipitation sensor, a surface temperature sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a heater, and a programmable controller. The programmable controller comprises a memory unit to store a cut off surface temperature Tc, and a set of program modules. The programmable controller further comprises a processor to execute the set of program modules. A heater control module, executed by the processor, is configured to deactivate a heater based on a surface temperature being greater than the cut off surface temperature. Further, heater control module is configured to activate the heater based on an ambient temperature being lower than freezing point of water and precipitation being present outside the vehicle, thereby melting snow and/or ice on the vehicle. The snow melts off because of heat generated by the heater upon activation.

A valve includes an outer structure. The valve includes a hollow shaft that includes holes formed therein, the shaft disposed within the outer structure and translatable from a first position to a second position. A memory metal alloy (MMA) spring is coupled to the shaft and the outer structure, the MMA spring expanding and moving the shaft from the first position to the second position in response to a temperature of a fluid. A valve head is coupled to the shaft and adapted to be biased within the outer structure, the valve head closing a bypass inlet in the first position and allowing fluid to enter the bypass inlet in the second position, and transferring fluid from the bypass inlet into the hollow shaft so that the fluid can exit the valve via an outlet. A pressure relief mechanism may be included.

A valve includes an outer structure. The valve includes a hollow shaft that includes holes formed therein, the shaft disposed within the outer structure and translatable from a first position to a second position. A memory metal alloy (MMA) spring is coupled to the shaft and the outer structure, the MMA spring expanding and moving the shaft from the first position to the second position in response to a temperature of a fluid. A valve head is coupled to the shaft and adapted to be biased within the outer structure, the valve head closing a bypass inlet in the first position and allowing fluid to enter the bypass inlet in the second position, and transferring fluid from the bypass inlet into the hollow shaft so that the fluid can exit the valve via an outlet. A pressure relief mechanism may be included.

A heat exchanger according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of tubes through which heating water flows, a housing having an interior space in which the plurality of tubes are disposed and through which a combustion gas passes, the housing including a plurality of flow passage caps connected with distal ends of the plurality of tubes to cause the heating water to flow through the flow passage caps, a temperature sensor brought into close contact with an area between two flow passage caps adjacent to each other among the plurality of flow passage caps to obtain a temperature, and a bracket coupled to the housing to bring the temperature sensor into close contact with the area between the adjacent two flow passage caps.

A heat exchanger according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of tubes through which heating water flows, a housing having an interior space in which the plurality of tubes are disposed and through which a combustion gas passes, the housing including a plurality of flow passage caps connected with distal ends of the plurality of tubes to cause the heating water to flow through the flow passage caps, a temperature sensor brought into close contact with an area between two flow passage caps adjacent to each other among the plurality of flow passage caps to obtain a temperature, and a bracket coupled to the housing to bring the temperature sensor into close contact with the area between the adjacent two flow passage caps.

A heat exchanger includes a sensor grid with sensor leads extending through tube restraints for heat exchange tubes in the heat exchanger. The tube restraint includes a body having a plurality of tube openings defined therein with each tube opening receiving one heat exchange tube of the set of heat exchange tubes therethrough. The body also includes a sensor lead opening defined therein to receive a sensor lead therethrough. Each tube opening has a larger dimension than the sensor lead opening. The sensor grid is installed during manufacture rather than in the field, allowing the sensor grid to be on outermost and inner sets of hea exchange tubes in the heat exchanger.

A heat exchanger includes a sensor grid with sensor leads extending through tube restraints for heat exchange tubes in the heat exchanger. The tube restraint includes a body having a plurality of tube openings defined therein with each tube opening receiving one heat exchange tube of the set of heat exchange tubes therethrough. The body also includes a sensor lead opening defined therein to receive a sensor lead therethrough. Each tube opening has a larger dimension than the sensor lead opening. The sensor grid is installed during manufacture rather than in the field, allowing the sensor grid to be on outermost and inner sets of hea exchange tubes in the heat exchanger.