Various examples relate to electrically actuated valves. Various examples relate to actuators to be used for valves, e.g., shape—memory alloy actuators or solenoid actuators (151) or piezoelectric actuators. Various examples relate to a modular concept in which a valve can be formed by attaching an actuator component (601) to a housing. Various examples relate to a further modular concept in which multiple valve blocks, each valve block including one or more valves, can be fluidly coupled with each other.

A valve housing (1) has first and third openings (1.1, 1.3), and first and second actuating elements (6.1, 6.2) that are movable along a longitudinal axis of the housing (1). A return element (5) is between the actuating elements (6.1, 6.2), and exerts a force to keep the actuating elements (6.1, 6.2) in a rest position to close or open the first and third openings (1.1. 1.3). First and second wires (4.1, 4.2) are formed from a shape memory alloy. The first wire (4.1) is on the first actuating element (6.1) and the second wire (4.2) is on the second actuating element (6.2). An electric current to the first or second wire (4.1, 4.2) contracts the respective wire (4.1, 4.2) and moves the corresponding actuating element (6.1, 6.2) into an activated position against the force exerted by the return element (5).

A heat exchanger is configured to adjust a flow restriction of flow passages through the heat exchanger in response to changes in temperature of elements that define at least a portion of the flow passages. The elements include a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion.

A fluid bladder valve for a pneumatic vehicle seat adjustment device is disclosed. The valve comprises a first chamber configured to be connected to a fluid source, a second chamber configured to be connected to the fluid bladder, a third chamber configured to be connected to an environment, a fourth chamber connected to the first chamber via a first fluid passage, connected to the second chamber via a second fluid passage, and connected to the third chamber via a third fluid passage; and an actuator comprising a membrane disposed in the fourth chamber and an actuator element disposed in the third chamber and coupled to the membrane and configured to move the membrane between a first position wherein the first fluid passage is opened and the third fluid passage is closed, and a second position wherein the first fluid passage is closed and the third fluid passage is opened.

Disclosed is an actuator unit for opening or closing a valve opening of a valve for a pneumatic adjusting device of a vehicle seat, comprising a circuit board with a top side extending in a circuit board plane, an actuating element with an actuating section for opening or closing the valve opening and a bending section connected to the actuating section, and an actuator element with a first end mechanically connected to the actuating section and a second end mechanically connected to the circuit board. The actuator element is configured to, when actuated, bend the bending section such that the actuating section is moved between a first position for opening the valve opening and a second position for closing the valve opening. The actuating section is arranged on a first side and the bending section is arranged on a second side, situated opposite the first side, respective of the circuit board plane.

A thermostat valve includes a housing with several cooling fluid connections, at least two hollow valve elements mounted rotatably next to one another in the housing on a common rotational shaft, each having at least one opening selectively couplable to one or more of the cooling fluid connections by way of rotation of the valve elements, and a rotational drive for a first of the valve elements can be driven rotationally in the housing, a second of the valve elements can be selectively coupled to or decoupled from the first valve element, the second valve element driven rotationally, when it is coupled to the first valve element, and a coupling element mounted axially movably on the rotational shaft, and a coupling drive by way of which the coupling element can be moved axially on the rotational shaft between a coupling position and a decoupling position.

An internal combustion engine cooling device includes a piston fixedly mounted within a device housing coupled to a plurality of flow paths through which cooling water flows, the piston disposed facing the interior of the device housing; a cylinder container that advances and retreats relative to the piston and has a flange valve that opens and closes a main flow path of the cooling water; a thermal expansion unit provided within the cylinder container that causes the cylinder container to advance and retreat due to volumetric changes attendant upon temperature changes; and a heat-emitting element provided within a piston casing that heats the thermal expansion unit when supplied with electricity. An insulating cover is provided to the exterior of the cylinder container at a portion of the cylinder container disposed facing the cooling water.

Thermostatic valve including a housing; a sleeve for regulating the circulation of a fluid in the housing, movable along its axis; a thermostatic element, the moving part of which is movable along the axis relative to its stationary part resulting from an expansion of the thermodilatable material of this element so as to move the sleeve; a compression spring for returning the stationary and moving parts toward one another; and a bracket supporting the spring, which supports a decompression thrust produced by the spring and is provided with both fasteners for fastening to a bearing portion of the housing transverse to the axis, these fasteners cooperating in a form-fitting manner with the bearing portion so as to be attached with the bearing portion along the axis resulting from a decompression thrust produced by the spring, and locking for locking the bracket in position while axially abutting against the bearing portion.

A single one time use valve, based on a Shape Memory Alloy (hereinafter—SMA) actuating component, wherein the valve comprises a nipple component given to shearing and shoving from the instant of its being severed off, in a manner that enables passage of the gas or the liquid from the valve's inlet flow opening to the valve's outlet flow opening wherein the valve is a valve of the normally closed type, or enables stopping of said gas or liquid passage from the inlet flow opening to the outlet flow opening, wherein the valve is a valve of the normally open type, and wherein the valve is characterized by that the inlet flow opening and outlet flow opening are formed substantially on at least one plain, that extends in its direction wherein it is substantially orthogonal to the valve's house assembly lengthwise axis and wherein a physical demarcation exists all the time between the gas or liquid to the valve's SMA made actuating component.

A valve assembly includes an inlet and an outlet, which open into a working chamber of the valve assembly, and an actuator. In a non-actuated state of the actuator, a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet is blocked. The actuator is optionally a shape-memory actuator that can be actuated one time or comprises a shape-memory actuator, which suddenly changes its external shape upon reaching a conversion temperature, which is dependent on the alloy composition thereof, and which can be generated by a controllable electrical heating device of the valve assembly. The actuator irreversibly destroys a pipe element separating the inlet from the outlet in the working chamber upon actuation, whereby the inlet and the outlet are connected to one another with respect to flow via the working chamber.