Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.

Cooling by a twist-untwist process, by a stretch-release process for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled yarns or fibers, and methods and systems thereof. High mechanocaloric cooling results from release of inserted twist or from stretch release for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled fibers, including natural rubber fibers, NiTi wires, and polyethylene fishing line. Twist utilization can increase cooling and cooling efficiencies. A cooler using twist insertion and release can be shorter and smaller in volume than a cooler that requires a large elastomeric elongation. The cooler system can be utilized in mechanochromic textiles and remotely readable tensile and torsional sensors.

The invention relates to a charge air cooler (5) for fuel engine comprising: a casing having an inlet (16) and an outlet (20), a heat exchanger (10) within the casing between the inlet (16) and the outlet (20), a thermally responsive draining mechanism (50, 60) for draining condensates, the draining mechanism (50, 60) being configured to drain condensates when temperature within the charge air cooler (5) is below a defined temperature, draining mechanism comprising a drain port (58, 68), a valve (51, 61, 52, 62, 53, 63) arranged on the drain port (58, 68), an actuation device (53, 63, 64) for moving the valve between an opened state and a closed state,
wherein the actuation device includes a phase change material.

The invention relates to a charge air cooler (5) for fuel engine comprising: a casing having an inlet (16) and an outlet (20), a heat exchanger (10) within the casing between the inlet (16) and the outlet (20), a thermally responsive draining mechanism (50, 60) for draining condensates, the draining mechanism (50, 60) being configured to drain condensates when temperature within the charge air cooler (5) is below a defined temperature, draining mechanism comprising a drain port (58, 68), a valve (51, 61, 52, 62, 53, 63) arranged on the drain port (58, 68), an actuation device (53, 63, 64) for moving the valve between an opened state and a closed state,
wherein the actuation device includes a phase change material.

Systems and methods are provided for a mechanical actuator based on a fiber optic platform. A material that is configured to be activated by light may be incorporated into an optical fiber that serves as both an actuator and a power delivery network. This platform is adaptable to different materials, types of motions, and length scales and allows for precise delivery of photons to the material.

With applications such as soft robotics being severely hindered by the lack of strong soft actuators, the invention provides a new soft-actuator material—Electrically Actuated Hydraulic Solid (EAHS) material—with a stress-density that outperforms any known electrically-actuatable material. One type of actuator is fabricated by making a closed cell that acts as highly paralyzed version of a standard paraffin actuator. Each cell exhibits microscopic expansion, which is summed to produce macroscopic motion. The closed cellular nature of the material allows the system to be cut and punctured and still operate. It can be produced in a lab or industrial scale, and can be formed using molding, 3D printing or cutting.

Systems and methods are provided for a mechanical actuator based on a fiber optic platform. A material that is configured to be activated by light may be incorporated into an optical fiber that serves as both an actuator and a power delivery network. This platform is adaptable to different materials, types of motions, and length scales and allows for precise delivery of photons to the material.

A pressure and temperature valve comprising a pressure relief valve (100) and a temperature probe (200). The pressure relief valve comprises a valve seat (14) and a valve member (20) arranged to rest in contact with the valve seat to close the valve and to be lifted off the valve seat to open the valve. The temperature probe (200) comprises a housing (52), a volume of expansion material (62) within the housing, a piston (64) slidable within the housing and arranged to be moved in a first direction by expansion of the expansion material, and in a second direction opposite to the first direction on contraction of the expansion material. A lift rod (90) is arranged to be moved by movement of the piston (64) in the first direction thereby to move the valve member (20) to open the valve.

The invention relates to a method for transferring heat between to or more media, which can be used for domestic, commercial or industrial purposes, subject only to the existence of temperature difference and to pressure variations. The invention also relates to a system for transferring heat.

A loop heat pipe incorporated into a transportation machine that performs tilting movements includes: an evaporator that changes at least a part of a working fluid from a liquid phase into a gas phase; first and second condensers that change the working fluid from the gas phase into the liquid phase; first vapor and liquid conduits connecting the evaporator and the first condenser; and second vapor and liquid conduits connecting the evaporator and the second condenser. When the transportation machine is placed on a horizontal surface, the first and second condensers are located above the evaporator, and the first and second condensers are spaced apart in a horizontal direction, with the tilt axis and the evaporator interposed between the first and second condensers.