Patent ID: 9488291
Filing Date: 2016-11-08
CPC Classification: F16K,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method of draining an enclosure using a smart valve comprising an inner plate fastened to an inside surface of the enclosure, the inside surface facing an interior of the enclosure, wherein an outer plate is disposed against the inner plate such that when the outer plate is in a first position in which an outer surface of the outer plate is flush with an outside surface of the enclosure, fluid is prevented from draining from the enclosure, and such that when the outer plate is in a second position in which the outer surface of the outer plate is pushed away from the outside surface of the enclosure, fluid is enabled to drain from the enclosure, wherein a slider is connected to the outer plate and also extends through the inner plate, wherein the outer plate is substantially planar, wherein the inner plate is substantially planar at a location in which the outer plate rests against the inner plate, wherein a shape memory alloy spring is connected to a first inner surface of the inner plate and to a second inner surface of the outer plate, the first inner surface and the second inner surface facing the interior, wherein the shape memory alloy spring bridges the inner plate and the outer plate at the location, and wherein a second shape memory alloy spring is attached to the inner plate and also to the outer plate, opposite the shape memory alloy spring, and wherein the method comprises: responsive to a trigger event, actuating the shape memory alloy spring, wherein actuating the shape memory alloy spring forces the outer plate away from the inner plate into the second position; and responsive to the trigger event, actuating the second shape memory alloy spring, wherein actuating the second shape memory alloy spring forces the outer plate away from the inner plate.