Grote Industries, Inc.

Swagelok Company

Vsm Technology Inc.

Swangelok Company

Antonio Hines

Steven H Hill

Bruce S Rigsby

Theodore J Gausman

William H Glime

Yunquan Chen

Cecil Hershler

An electrically controlled fluid control valve comprises an electrical position controller governed by a signal proportional to the position of a movable element of the valve to regulate current to a shape memory alloy (SMA) valve actuator to position the movable element to a desired position. The control valve may also include a temperature controller governed by a signal provided by a temperature-sensing element in proximity to the valve actuator to activate a cooling device for reducing the surrounding temperature. A digital selector switch may be used for generating a digital code of a selected heating rate which may govern the electrical controller to regulate current to the SMA drive element. The electrical controller may also be governed by both position measurement and a temperature signals to regulate current to the SMA valve actuator and to control the cooling device to position the movable element to a desired position.

Shape memory alloy actuated fluid control valve

A fluid control valve having a shaped memory alloy (SMA) driven actuator is disclosed. The SMA driven actuator includes a first frame section coupled to a valve body and fixed in relation thereto, a second frame section coupled to a movable element of the valve body and movable in relation to the valve body, and a multiplicity of SMA wire sections coupling the first and second frame sections for moving the movable element from a biased first position to a second position when heated. An electrical controller controls the heating of the SMA wire sections by regulating current therethrough, preferably using pulse width modulation techniques. The electrical controller may be governed by a position measurement signal proportional to the position of the movable element to regulate current to the SMA drive element to position the movable element to a desired position. The position measuring signal may be provided from a position measuring element integral to the valve actuator. The valve actuator may also include a temperature controller governed by an electrical temperature signal provided by a temperature-sensing device in proximity to the SMA drive element to activate a cooling device for reducing the temperature surrounding the SMA drive element when activated. A digital selector switch may be used for generating a digital code of a selected heating rate which may govern the electrical controller to regulate current to the SMA drive element. The electrical controller may also be governed by both a position measurement and a temperature signal to regulate current to the SMA drive element and to control the cooling device to position the movable element to a desired position. The actuator may include at least one bobbin that is wound with a multiplicity of wire windings. A conductive material may be applied to the surface of grooved sections of the bobbin onto which the SMA wire windings are wound. Alternatively, the SMA wire may be coated with a conductive material and then wound about the bobbin and thereafter, the conductive material may be removed from the surface of the SMA wire not in contact with the bobbin.

A communication link between a tractor and trailer is established utilizing existing by dormant tractor and trailer circuitry. In one embodiment of the invention, a tractor communications device has a communications port connected to a turn signal circuit and a trailer communications device has a communications port connected to the same turn signal circuit. The two communications devices permit communications therebetween over the turn signal circuit as long as the turn signal circuit is inactive, and otherwise inhibits such communications. In another embodiment of the invention, such a communications link is used to transmit a fault signal, relating to an abnormally operating trailer anti-lock brake system (ABS), to the tractor for activation of an in-cab ABS warning device.

Trailer ABS monitoring and warning system

An apparatus and method for monitoring conditions of living beings. A telemetry device includes a monitor which monitors at least one physiological condition of a patient. A transmitter transmits data including information on the condition and information identifying the device or patient. A separate receiver is provided for each device to receive the data transmitted. The receiver outputs signals to a processor. The processor extracts the information on the physiological condition and the information identifying the telemetry device. The processor outputs the information in a digital form to a display unit. The display unit displays the information on the physiological condition and the identifying information in a readable form. There is a separate display area for each telemetry device, whereby a plurality of patients can be monitored simultaneously on a real time or a near real time basis.

Multi-patient monitoring apparatus and method

A communication link between a tractor and trailer is established utilizing existing dormant tractor and trailer circuitry. In one embodiment of the invention, a tractor communications device has a communications port connected to a turn signal circuit and a trailer communications device has a communications port connected to the same turn signal circuit. The two communications devices permit communications therebetween over the turn signal circuit as long as the turn signal circuit is inactive, and otherwise inhibits such communications. In another embodiment of the invention, each communications device includes a second communications port connected to the remaining tractor/trailer turn circuit. If electrical power is being supplied to the first turn signal circuit, the two communications devices automatically switch communications to the remaining dormant turn signal circuit.

Growing community of inventors

Tampa, FL, United States of America

Antonio Hines