The connection device comprises two thermal expansion valves releasably connected directly to each other, each valve being configured to be mounted to an end of a respective section of a fluid circuit and being shiftable between an open position and a closed position, in which it allows and prevents fluid flow through the device, respectively, depending on the fluid temperature.

A valve device for controlling a fluid flow includes a flow control valve (15) having a valve housing (19) with a supply connection (9) and a user connection (11). A valve piston (17) is guided inside the valve housing (19) longitudinally moveable and controls the passage to the user connection (11) by a thermocouple (61) via an orifice (37, 39) depending on the temperature of the fluid flow. A pressure compensator (21) is connected to the supply connection (9) and keeps the pressure drop across the orifice (37, 39) constant.

A fluid valve is provided including an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell includes a sidewall having a first opening and an interior surface defining an inner chamber. The outer shell includes a sidewall having a second opening and an exterior surface defining an outer chamber. The inner shell is positioned within the outer shell and the inner shell is movable relative to the outer chamber between a first position and a second position by a change in fluid conditions of a fluid supplied to the fluid valve. The first opening and the second opening overlap to define a passageway extending from the interior surface of the inner shell to the exterior surface of the outer shell. Relative movement of the inner shell from the first position toward the second position reduces a cross-sectional area of the passageway.

Thermal management systems incorporating shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators and related methods. A thermal management system includes a heat transfer region, a process fluid conduit, a thermal management fluid conduit, and an SMA actuator assembly. The SMA actuator assembly includes an SMA element coupled to an actuation element, which is configured to assume a position among a plurality of positions defined between a restrictive position and an open position. The position of the actuation element is based, at least in part, on a conformation of the SMA element. A method of passively regulating a temperature of a process fluid includes conveying a process fluid stream in heat exchange relation with an SMA element, transitioning the SMA element to assume a conformation, flowing each of the process fluid stream and a thermal management fluid stream through a heat transfer region, and modulating a flow rate of the thermal management fluid stream.

A cooling system includes a coolant source to cool down components of a processing chamber and a return line for the coolant coupled between the processing chamber and the coolant source. The return line has a valve, which includes a flow compartment having a first inlet and an outlet that support a default flow rate of the coolant, the flow compartment also having a second inlet. The valve has a plunger with a tip to variably open and close the second inlet to vary a flow rate of the coolant from the default flow rate. The valve has a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring positioned on the plunger between a side of the valve and the tip, the SMA spring attached to the tip to variably withdraw the tip from the second inlet in response to a rise in temperature of the coolant above a threshold temperature value.

A valve assembly for a faucet assembly includes a housing, a thermal motor and a sealing element. The housing includes a first inlet that receives water from a first source, a spout outlet in fluid connection with the first inlet, and a second inlet that receives water from a second source. The thermal motor is within the housing and imparts linear force in an axial direction. The sealing element is operably coupled to move in response to the imparted linear force, and is configured to engage a seating element to form a seal between the second inlet and the spout outlet. The seating element is disposed axially between the motor and the sealing element, and movement of the sealing element in the axial direction breaks the formed seal to allow fluid flow within the housing between the second inlet and the spout outlet.

A thermostat valve has a cylindrical valve housing formed as a single integrated unit out of synthetic resin material, having an annular body and a frame attached to one end of the annular body by a plurality of legs, a disk-shaped valve stem disposed in another end of the valve housing and movable along an axial direction, a spring seat that holds an opposite end of spring means away from the valve stem and locked and held in place by hooks at tips of locking arms extending from the valve housing, and a thermo-element fixedly mounted to an element guide provided in the frame of the valve housing that moves the valve stem in a valve opening direction in response to fluid temperature. An annular step having a top portion of predetermined width is formed adjacent to the rim of the opening in the one end of the valve housing.

Thermal management systems incorporating shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators and related methods. A thermal management system includes a heat transfer region, a process fluid conduit, a thermal management fluid conduit, and an SMA actuator assembly. The SMA actuator assembly includes an SMA element coupled to an actuation element, which is configured to assume a position among a plurality of positions defined between a restrictive position and an open position. The position of the actuation element is based, at least in part, on a conformation of the SMA element. A method of passively regulating a temperature of a process fluid includes conveying a process fluid stream in heat exchange relation with an SMA element, transitioning the SMA element to assume a conformation, flowing each of the process fluid stream and a thermal management fluid stream through a heat transfer region, and modulating a flow rate of the thermal management fluid stream.

A thermally actuated heat pipe control valve including a housing, a phase change material actuator, and a passage closing member. A passage extends through the housing and is configured to receive working fluid from the heat pipe therein. The phase change material actuator is positioned in the housing and has a sealed chamber with phase change material positioned therein. The passage closing member is positioned in the housing proximate to or in the passage and proximate to the phase change material actuator. The passage closing member has a surface which cooperates with a wall of the passage. As the temperature of the phase change material reaches a designed temperature, the phase change material melts and expands causing the passage closing member to move into the passage to a closed position, preventing heat transfer between the condenser portion and the evaporator portion when the designed temperature is reached or exceeded.

A system for adjusting transmission oil temperature, a heat exchange assembly and a valve assembly. The heat exchange assembly includes a heat exchange core, a valve assembly, an adapter base, and a mounting plate fixed with the heat exchange core. The valve assembly is arranged in or partially located in a second passage of the heat exchange core. The valve assembly has a first valve port and a first notch. The heat exchange core further includes a through passage in communication with a fourth port. When a first valve port is opened, a third port is in communication with the fourth port through a first passage, the second passage, the first notch and the first valve port in turn. When the first valve port is closed, the third port is in communication with a fifth port through the first passage, the second passage and the first notch in turn.