F16K31/002

Shape memory material for controlled liquid delivery in an aerosol delivery device

The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the cartridge may comprise a housing defining a liquid reservoir, an atomizer configured to produce an aerosol, the atomizer comprising a first liquid transport element, a second liquid transport element, and a microvalve located between the liquid reservoir and the second liquid transport element. The microvalve may comprise a base member including at least one channel, and an actuating member at least a portion of which comprises a shape-memory material, and which is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the actuating member substantially blocks fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel, and in the second position, the actuating member allows fluid flow from the liquid reservoir through the channel and to the second liquid transport element.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICE
20220357756 · 2022-11-10 ·

Temperature control device (1) has a hot water inlet (12), a cold water inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for tempered water. A diffuser (18) is provided in the device (1) to disrupt the flow of hot water after it enters the device (1). The disrupted hot water emerges from the diffuser (18) into a chamber (20) in which it is melded with cold water that is able to enter the chamber (20) from the inlet (14) when a piston (22) is spaced from a seat (24). The melded hot and cold water result in tempered water that is discharged from the outlet (16). A temperature sensitive device (26) is provided, which is responsive to changes in ambient temperature. A temperature setting mechanism (52) is provided which is operatively associated with the temperature sensitive device (26) and permits the maximum temperature of the discharged tempered water to be adjusted.

Thermostatic valve
11493941 · 2022-11-08 · ·

The invention concerns a thermostatic valve (1) comprising a closed hollow body (2), a first opening leading into the hollow body (2), referred to as the inlet opening (4), a second opening leading into the hollow body (2), referred to as the main outlet (5), a third opening, substantially perpendicular to the second opening, leading into the hollow body (2), referred to as the bypass outlet (7), and a seal (11) allowing the inlet opening (4) to be alternately separated from the main outlet (5) or the bypass outlet (7). The seal (11) comprises a thermostatic actuator (12) and a skirt (13) which is made of plastic material and has at least one window (19) suitable for being traversed by a fluid, the skirt (13) being capable of sliding in the hollow body (2), along an axis that substantially coincides with the axis of the thermostatic actuator (12), between a first position in which the skirt (13) seals the main outlet (5), such that the fluid flows between the inlet opening (4) and the bypass outlet (7), and a second position in which the skirt (13) leaves the main outlet (5) open and seals the bypass outlet (7), such that the fluid from the inlet opening (4) can pass through the window (19) and flow through the main outlet (5).

Tub faucet having a control valve with reduced backpressure

A water control system including a showerhead and a tub faucet. The faucet has a valve configured to automatically restrict fluid flow through the faucet and direct fluid to the showerhead as a function of a parameter, such as a predetermined water temperature. The faucet has many modes of operation, including a Reset Mode, an Auto-Divert Mode, a Bypass Mode, and a Cold Mode. A flow control device generates minimal back-pressure when in the Reset Mode such that water does not undesirably back flow to a shower head.

ACTIVATION ASSEMBLY WITH SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY (SMA) FOR A SEALED CONTAINER
20230094650 · 2023-03-30 ·

An activation assembly for a sealed container includes a striker, a detent, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire connected to the detent. The SMA wire may move the detent from a first position to a second position relative to the striker based on activation of the SMA wire where, in the first position, the detent is engaged with the striker, and, in the second position, the detent is disengaged from the striker and the striker is movable from a stowed position to a deployed position.

WATER FLOW RATE AUTOMATIC CONTROL MODULE
20230035684 · 2023-02-02 ·

A water flow rate automatic control module, relating to the field of thermostatic shower fittings. The water flow rate automatic control module comprising a base, a valve body, a thermosensitive assembly, a diaphragm, wherein a temperature sensing part senses the temperature of passing cold water in real time; when the temperature of cold water is too low, the mixed water flow rate is slowed down, and more hot water is supplied to a thermostatic valve core assembly for mixing; when the temperature of cold water is too high, the mixed water flow rate is increased, and more cold water is supplied to the thermostatic valve core assembly for mixing. Therefore, the mixed water temperature range of the thermostatic valve core assembly can be ensured, and the problem of temperature adjustment failure or beyond the temperature difference caused by matching the thermostatic shower with a gas water heater is solved.

MIXING CARTRIDGE WITH WEDGE-SHAPED VERTEBRAL BODIES
20220341497 · 2022-10-27 · ·

A mixing cartridge (1) for a sanitary faucet, comprising at least: a mixing chamber (2) having at least one hot-water inlet (3) for hot water and at least one cold-water inlet (4) for cold water, and a vortex element (5) for at least partially swirling the hot water and the cold water in the mixing chamber (2), wherein the vortex element (5) comprises a plurality of outer wedge-shaped vortex bodies (6) and a plurality of inner wedge-shaped vortex bodies (7).

FLUID MIXING ASSEMBLY
20220341499 · 2022-10-27 ·

A fluid mixing assembly (100) comprising a body (102) having a discharge outlet (114) for discharging fluid; a fluid mixing device (104) disposed in the body (102) and in fluid communication with the discharge outlet (114), the fluid mixing device (104) having an adjusting member (122) adjustable about a mixing adjusting axis (124) and configured to assist in controlling mixing of fluids in the fluid mixing device (104); a first isolator (132) in fluid communication with the fluid mixing device (104) and configured to be coupled in fluid communication to a first source of fluid, the first isolator (132) having an adjusting member (140) adjustable about a first isolator adjusting axis (138) and configured to control a flow of fluid through the first isolator (132); and a second isolator (144) in fluid communication with the fluid mixing device (104) and configured to be coupled in fluid communication to a second source of fluid, the second isolator (144) having an adjusting member (152) adjustable about a second isolator adjusting axis (150) and configured to control a flow of fluid through the second isolator (152). The first isolator (132) and the second isolator (144) are disposed relative to the fluid mixing device (104) such that the mixing adjusting axis (124), the first isolator adjusting axis (138), and the second isolator adjusting axis (150) extend substantially in a common direction.

Self-sensing and self-actuating valve for modulating process coolant flow

A valve includes a first inline compartment to attach to a first return line exiting a processing chamber and a second inline compartment to attach to a second return line entering a coolant source. A flow compartment is attached between the first inline compartment and the second inline compartment and through which a coolant is to return to the coolant source. A first inlet orifice and a second inlet orifice positioned between the first inline compartment and the flow compartment. A plunger has a tip to variably open and close the second inlet orifice. A shape memory alloy (SMA) spring is positioned on the plunger and attached to the tip, the SMA spring to variably increase or decrease a flow rate of the coolant through the second inlet orifice according to a temperature of the coolant.

ACTUATION UNIT AND VALVE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING THE SAME
20230079609 · 2023-03-16 ·

A valve assembly including a valve arranged to move between open and closed positions by rotating an operating member about an axis is provided. An actuation unit includes a torsion spring, a trigger member, and a driving member. The driving member engages with the operating member to drive rotation of the same. The torsion spring applies a first torque to the driving member around the axis in a first rotational direction. An external second torque opposite the first torque resets the valve to the open position in which the driving member is held by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism is arranged to hold the driving member only when the valve is in the open position. An external force applied to the trigger member releases the driving member from the latching mechanism, the first torque thereby rotating the driving member to mechanically bias said valve to the closed position.