Patent Publication Number: US-2016238139-A1

Title: Valve including a shape memory alloy member

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention relates to a valve for selectively permitting the flow of a fluid. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     There is a desire within industries implementing fluid transportation to provide for a fluid routing device which can alter the flow path of a fluid. A popular method of altering the flow path of a fluid is through a valve. The valve selectively opens and closes a port to selectively permit the flow of the fluid therethrough. Many techniques have been used to alternate the valve for selectively opening and closing the port. One solution in the industry involves a shape memory alloy wire for selectively fluidly opening and closing the port. The valve includes a housing and a plunger that is biased along an axis toward the port for closing the port. The valve also includes the shape memory alloy wire. The wire linearly extends along the axis and is coupled to the plunger and the housing. When an electrical current passes through the shape memory alloy wire, the wire contracts along the axis and pulls the plunger away from the port, against the bias, to open the port. 
     Although effective, the linear actuation of the plunger by the shape memory alloy wire along the axis requires contraction and expansion of the shape memory alloy member sufficient to move the plunger to open and close the port. As such, the shape memory alloy wire must extend a sufficient length along the axis to facilitate enough movement of the plunger to open and close the port, which in-turn increases the size of the valve. As such, there remains a need to provide an improved valve. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
     The subject invention provides for a valve for selectively opening and closing a passageway defined by a port and selectively permitting the flow of a fluid therethrough. The valve comprises a body defining an outer surface and an inner surface with the inner surface defining an inner cavity. The valve further comprises a sealing arm mounted to and extending from the body into the inner cavity. The sealing arm is movable relative to the body between a first position for closing the passageway defined by the port, and a second position for opening the passageway defined by the port. The valve further comprises a shape memory alloy member mounted to the body and disposed at least partially along the outer surface. The shape memory alloy member alternates between a first length when the shape memory alloy member is in a de-energized state and a second length when the shape memory alloy member is in an energized state. The first length is greater than the second length such that the shape memory alloy member constricts about the body when the shape memory alloy member is the second length. The valve further comprises a leg mounted to and extending from the body into the inner cavity. The leg is moveable between an initial position when the shape memory alloy member is in the de-energized state and an activated position when the shape memory alloy member is in the energized state. The leg correspondingly engages and moves the sealing arm from the first position to the second position when the leg moves from the initial position to the activated position for opening the passageway defined by the port. 
     Accordingly, the extension of the sealing arm and the leg into the inner cavity of the body creates a compact configuration. The compact configuration provides versatility to the valve, allowing the valve to be packaged in voids which are relatively small, and correspondingly improves the packaging of other components around the valve. Furthermore, the configuration of the shape memory alloy member at least partially along the outer surface of the body and constricting the body allows for minimal change between the first and second lengths to be mechanically advantaged by the leg creating sufficient movement of the sealing arm between the first and second positions for opening and closing the passageway. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the subject invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fluid routing device showing a housing and a valve shown in phantom-line. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the fluid routing device showing the valve with the housing shown in phantom-line. 
         FIG. 3  is perspective view of the valve including a body, a sealing arm, a leg, and a board. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the valve with the body in an assembled-initial position, the sealing arm in a first position, and the leg in an initial position. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the valve showing the body in a pre-assembly position in solid-line and showing each of the body in the assembled-initial position, the sealing arm in the first position, and the leg in the initial position in phantom-line. 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the valve showing each of the body in the assembled-deflected position, the sealing arm in a second position, and the leg in an activated position in solid-line and showing each of the body in the assembled-initial position, the sealing arm in the first position, and the leg in the initial position in phantom-line. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the board and the body taken along  7 - 7  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the board and the body taken along  8 - 8  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the valve including a biasing member. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the fluid routing device with the sealing arm of the valve in the first position taken along  10 - 10  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the fluid routing device with the sealing arm of the valve in the second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a fluid routing device  20  for directing the transportation of a fluid is generally shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The fluid routing device  20  is typically used in a seat of a vehicle for transporting the fluid to support a user, such as to a plurality of bladders in a lumbar support system. It is to be appreciated that the fluid routing device  20  may be used in any configuration and in any context to direct the transportation of the fluid. 
     The fluid routing device  20  includes a housing  22  having a plurality of walls  24  defining an interior  26  and an exterior  28 . The housing  22  may include a first section  30  and a second section  32  with each of the first and second sections  30 ,  32  having a flange  34 . The flanges  34  abut one another and seal, further defining the interior  26  and the exterior  28 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing  22  may have a conical configuration. It is to be appreciated that the housing  22  may have a cuboidal configuration or any other suitable configuration for defining the interior  26  and the exterior  28 . 
     The fluid routing device  20  includes a port  36  defining a passageway  38  between the interior  26  and the exterior  28  with the passageway  38  configured for allowing the fluid to flow therethrough. The port  36  may be mounted to the housing  22  and may extend into the interior  26  of the housing  22 . More specifically, the port  36  may be mounted to the first section  30  of the housing  22 . It is to be appreciated that the port  36  may be mounted to the second section  32  or any other portion of the housing  22 . 
     The port  36  may be integral with the housing  22 . Said differently, the port  36  may be formed during manufacturing with the housing  22 . Furthermore, the port  36  may be integral with the first section  30  of the housing  22 . It is to be appreciated that the port  36  may be coupled to the housing  22 , by welding, mechanical fastener, or any other suitable manner of fastening. 
     The housing  22  may define a hole  40 . More specifically, the first section  30  of the housing  22  may define the hole  40 . The hole  40  is spaced from the port  36 . It is to be appreciated that the second section  32 , or any other portion of the housing  22 , may define the hole  40 . 
     Typically, the fluid routing device  20  directs the transportation of the fluid through tubes. For example, the tubes may be further defined as a pair of tubes with one of the pair of tubes coupled to the housing  22  of the fluid routing device  20  at the passageway  38  and another one of the pair of tubes coupled to the housing  22  at the hole  40 . It is to be appreciated that the fluid routing device  20  may direct the transportation of the fluid by any suitable means, including without the use of the tubes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fluid routing device  20  includes a valve  42  disposed in the housing  22  and selectively opening and closing the passageway  38  defined by the port  36  to selectively permit the flow of the fluid therethrough. The valve  42  includes a body  44  defining an outer surface  46  and an inner surface  48  with the inner surface  48  defining an inner cavity  50 . The valve  42  further includes a sealing arm  52  mounted to and extending from the body  44  into the inner cavity  50  and movable relative to the body  44  between a first position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) for closing the passageway  38  defined by the port  36 , and a second position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) for opening the passageway  38  defined by the port  36 . Furthermore, the valve  42  includes a shape memory alloy member  54  mounted to the body  44  and disposed at least partially along the outer surface  46 . The shape memory alloy member  54  alternates between a first length L 1  when the shape memory alloy member  54  is in a de-energized state (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), and a second length L 2  when the shape memory alloy member  54  is in an energized state (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). The first length L 1  is greater than the second length L 2  such that the shape memory alloy member  54  constricts about the body  44  when the shape memory alloy member  54  is the second length L 2 . 
     The valve  42  includes a leg  60  mounted to and extending from the body  44  into the inner cavity  50 . The leg  60  is moveable between an initial position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) when the shape memory alloy member  54  is in the de-energized state and an activated position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) when the shape memory alloy member  54  is in the energized state. The leg  60  correspondingly engages and moves the sealing arm  52  from the first position to the second position when the leg  60  moves from the initial position to the activated position for opening the passageway  38  defined by the port  36 . 
     As described above, the housing  22  may define the hole  40 . The selective opening and closing of the passageway  38  of the port  36  selectively fluidly couples the passageway  38  and the hole  40  through the interior  26  for permitting flow of the fluid between the passageway  38  and the hole  40  through the interior  26 . Said differently, when the leg  60  is in the activated position and the sealing arm  52  is in the open position as shown in  FIG. 11 , the fluid is permitted to flow between the passageway  38  and the hole  40  through the interior  26 . When the leg  60  is in the initial position and the sealing arm  52  is in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 10 , the fluid is prevented from flowing through the passageway  38 . Said differently, the fluid may flow between the exterior  28  and the interior  26  through the hole  40 ; however, the fluid is prevented from flowing between the exterior  28  and the interior  26  through the passageway  38 . As such, the valve  42  prevents the flow of the fluid between the hole  40  and the passageway  38  when the sealing arm  52  is in the first position. On the other hand, the valve  42  fluidly couples the hole  40  and the passageway  38  when the sealing arm  52  is in the second position as shown in  FIG. 11 , allowing the fluid to flow between the hole  40  and the passageway  38 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and as described above, the port  36  may be mounted to the housing  22  and extend into the interior  26  of the housing  22 . Furthermore, the port  36  may extend into the inner cavity  50  of the body  44  of the valve  42  to facilitate alignment of the passageway  38  with the sealing arm  52  and selective opening and closing of the passageway  38  with the sealing arm  52 . Said differently, the port  36  may extend into the inner cavity  50  without engaging the body  44 . As described above, usually the port  36  is mounted to the first section  30  and extends transverse to the flange  34  such that the port  36  extends substantially perpendicular from the first section  30 . Furthermore, the port  36  usually has a substantially cylindrical configuration with the port  36  defining the passageway  38  having an “L” shape configuration. The benefit of the port  36  having the substantially cylindrical configuration and the passageway  38  having the “L” shape configuration will be better understood through further description below. It is to be appreciated that the port  36  and the passageway  38  may have any suitable configuration for allowing the fluid to flow through the passageway  38 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the body  44  may have a first end  62  and a second end  64  spaced from the first end  62  with one of the first and second ends  62 ,  64  movable relative to another one of the first and second ends  62 ,  64  with the alternating of the shape member alloy member between the first and second lengths L 1 , L 2 . Said differently, body  44  may deflect as the shape memory alloy member  54  constricts about the body  44  from the first length L 1  to the second length L 2 . Furthermore, the body  44  may have an internal bias that resists the constriction of the shape memory alloy member  54 . For example, as shown with solid lines in  FIG. 5 , the body  44  may have a pre-assembly position prior to the disposition of the shape memory alloy member  54  at least partially along the outer surface  46  of the body  44 . As shown with solid lines in  FIG. 4  and phantom lines in  FIGS. 5 and 6  and XX, the body  44  may have an assembled-initial position with the shape memory alloy member  54  at least partially along the outer surface  46  of the body  44  and said first length L 1 . As shown with solid lines in  FIG. 6 , the body  44  may have an assembled-deflected position with the shape memory alloy member  54  at least partially along the outer surface  46  of the body  44  and said first length L 1 . 
     The body  44  in the pre-assembly position is more expanded than the body  44  in the assembled-initial position, which shows that the body  44  is biased toward the expanded pre-assembly position. Therefore, any deflection of the body  44  will be against the internal bias of the body  44  such that removal of a force deflecting the body  44  will cause the body  44  to return to the pre-assembly position. Furthermore, the body  44  in the assembled-initial position is more expanded than the body  44  in the assembled-deflected position. Therefore, any deflection of the body  44  will be against the internal bias of the body  44  such that removal of the force deflecting the body  44  to the assembled-deflected position will cause the body  44  to return toward the pre-assembly position. As such, as the shape memory increases in length from the second length L 2  to the first length L 1 , the internal bias of the body  44  facilitates the movement of the body  44  from the assembled-deflected position to the assembled-initial position. 
     The movement of the one of the first and second ends  62 ,  64  moves the leg  60  between the initial and activated positions and moves the sealing arm  52  between the first and second positions. More specifically, the first end  62  may be movable relative to the second end  64  to move the leg  60  from the initial position to the activated position and the sealing arm  52  from the first position to the second position. As will be described in greater detail below, the second end  64  of the body  44  is fixed relative to the housing  22 . With the second end  64  of the body  44  fixed, the first end  62  of the body  44  may move between the assembled-initial position (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the assembled-deflected position (shown in  FIG. 6 ) as the shape memory alloy member  54  alternates between the first length L 1  and the second length L 2 , respectively. Furthermore, when the body  44  is in the assembled-initial position, the leg  60  is in the initial position. When the body  44  is in the assembled-deflected position, the leg  60  is in the activated position. It is to be appreciated that the first end  62  may move relative to the first end  62 . Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that both the first and second ends  62 ,  64  may be movable. The corresponding movement of the leg  60  with the movement of the first end  62  will be better understood through further description below. 
     As described above, the second end  64  may be spaced from the first end  62 . Furthermore, the first and second ends  62 ,  64  may be oriented such that the first and second ends  62 ,  64  substantially face each other with the one of the first and second ends  62 ,  64  movable toward and away from the other one of the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . More specifically, as described above and shown in  FIG. 4 , the first and second ends  62 ,  64  substantially face each other with the first end  62  movable toward and away from the second end  64 . It is to be appreciated that the first and second ends  62 ,  64  may be positioned in any orientation spaced from each other. 
     Additionally, the body  44  may have an arcuate configuration between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 4 , with the body  44  in the arcuate configuration, the first and second ends  62 ,  64  substantially face each other. Furthermore, the arcuate configuration is typically a substantially circular configuration. It is to be appreciated that the body  44  may have a rectangular configuration or any other suitable configuration between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . 
     In addition, the body  44  has a height H which is substantially consistent between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . As such, when the body  44  has the substantially circular configuration, the body  44  may be further described as a substantially tubular configuration. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , with the first and second ends  62 ,  64  spaced from and substantially facing each other and with the body  44  having the arcuate configuration, the body  44  defines a gap  66  between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . Said differently, the gap  66  prevents the body  44  from having a completely enclosed configuration (i.e., a completely circular configuration or any other suitable configuration that does not define the gap  66 ). It is to be appreciated that the body  44  may have material between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 , filling the gap  66  such that the body  44  has a completely enclosed configuration. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that in the completely enclosed configuration the first and second ends  62 ,  64  may still be defined with the second end  64  spaced from the first end  62 . Said differently, each of the characteristics applied above to the body  44  having the first and second ends  62 ,  64  may be applied to the body  44  having the completely enclosed configuration. 
     The body  44  may have at least one living hinge  68  along the body  44  to facilitate deflection of at least one of the body  44 , the sealing arm  52 , and the leg  60 , and corresponding movement of the sealing arm  52  from the first position to the second position. As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the body  44  has a thickness T which is generally consistent between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . The at least one living hinge  68  is usually a reduction in the generally consistent thickness T between the first and second ends  62 ,  64  which facilitates controlled deflection at the living hinge  68 . Alternatively, the living hinge  68  may be a result of a change in material along the body  44  having a lower rigidity than the rest of the body  44 . Furthermore, the living hinge  68  may be a mechanical hinge positioned along the body  44  between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . It is to be appreciated that the living hinge  68  may be any configuration which facilitates deflection of the body  44  at the living hinge  68 . 
     The at least one living hinge  68  may be between the first and second ends  62 ,  64  to facilitate deflection of the body  44 . Furthermore, the at least one living hinge  68  may be positioned at at least one of the first and second ends  62 ,  64  to facilitate deflection of the sealing arm  52 . For example, the leg  60  may extend from the body  44  at the first end  62  and the sealing arm  52  may extend from the body  44  at the second end  64  with the at least one living hinge  68  positioned at the second end  64  and with the movement of the sealing arm  52  further defined as pivoting of the sealing arm  52  relative to the body  44  between the first and second positions about the at least one living hinge  68 . 
     The at least one living hinge  68  may be a pair of living hinges  68  with one of the pair of living hinges  68  positioned at the second end  64  as described above and another one of the pair of living hinges  68  positioned along the body  44  approximately half-way between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 , with the body  44  defining a first portion  70  adjacent the first end  62  and a second portion  72  adjacent the second end  64 . The purpose of the pair of living hinges  68  will be better understood through further description below. It is to be appreciated that the at least one living hinge  68  may be any number of living hinges  68 . Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that the body  44  may have no living hinges  68 . Even further, it is to be appreciated that the body  44  may be rigid and incapable of deflecting. 
     The valve  42  may further include a board  74  coupled to the housing  22  with the body  44  of the valve  42  mounted to the board  74  to couple the body  44  to the housing  22  and position the sealing arm  52  to selectively open and close the passageway  38  of the port  36 . More specifically, a portion of the body  44  may be mounted to the board  74 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the board  74  is positioned under a portion of the body  44 . More specifically, the board  74  is positioned under the second portion  72  of the body  44 . The valve may include a lip  75  which is typically positioned between second portion  72  of the body  44  and the board  74  and extending substantially parallel to the board  74 . Usually, the lip  75  is integral with the body  44  such that the lip  75  and the body  44  are formed of the same material. It is to be appreciated that the lip  75  and the body  44  may be coupled to one another by mechanical means, chemical means, or any other suitable means. The lip  75  is mounted to the board  74 . As such the second portion  72  of the body  44  is mounted to the board  74  such that the first portion  70  of the body  44  may move about the living hinge  68  while the mounting to the second portion  72  to the board  74 , which is coupled to the housing  22 , retains the position of the valve  42  within the housing  22 . It is to be appreciated that the first portion  70  of the body  44  may be mounted to the board  74 . Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that the any portion or combination of portions of the body  44  may be mounted to the board  74 . Typically, the lip  75  is mounted to the board  74  by heat-staking a plurality of posts of the board  74  which extend through a plurality of holes defined by the lip  75 . Alternatively, the lip  75  may be mounted to the board  74  by riveting, a press-fit connection, or a push-fit split pin connection. It is to be appreciated that the body  44  may be directly mounted to the board  74  by any manner of attachment including those described above and those not explicitly described herein. 
     The board  74  is typically coupled to the second section  32  of the housing  22  with the body  44  between the board  74  and the first section  30  of the housing  22 . The port  36  extends from the first section  30  of the housing  22  into the cavity opposite the board  74 . It is to be appreciated that the board  74  may be coupled to the first section  30  or any portion of the housing  22 . Typically, the board  74  is coupled to the housing  22  by heat-staking a plurality of posts of the housing  22  which extend through a plurality of holes defined by the board  74 . Alternatively, the board  74  may be mounted to the housing  22  by riveting, a press-fit connection, or a push-fit split pin connection. It is to be appreciated that the board  74  may be directly mounted to the housing  22  by any manner of attachment including those described above and those not explicitly described herein. 
     As described above and shown in  FIG. 4 , the leg  60  may extend from the body  44  at the first end  62  and the sealing arm  52  may extend from the body  44  at the second end  64 . The leg  60  and the sealing arm  52  may extend into the inner cavity  50  in substantially the same direction. It is to be appreciated the leg  60  may extend from the body  44  at the second end  64  and the sealing arm  52  may extend from the body  44  at the first end  62 . It is also to be appreciated that the leg  60  and the sealing arm  52  may extend into the inner cavity  50  in opposing directions or in any other suitable direction. Furthermore, the leg  60  may have an extension portion  76  and the sealing arm  52  may have an engagement portion  78  with the extension portion  76  and the engagement portion  78  substantially parallel to one another. 
     The valve  42  may include a rib  80  mounted to each of the first portion  70  of the body  44  and the engagement portion  78  of the sealing arm  52  proximate the second end  64  of the body  44 . The rib  80  reinforces the position of the leg  60  relative to the first portion  70  of the body  44  to reduce deflection of the leg  60  relative to the body  44  at the first end  62 . As such, the rib  80  facilitates the leg  60  engaging and moving the sealing arm  52  from the first position to the second position when the leg  60  moves from the initial position to the activated position while reducing deflection of the leg  60  away from the sealing arm  52 . 
     The sealing arm  52  may have the engagement portion  78  and a sealing tip  82 . The sealing tip  82  may be transverse to the engagement portion  78  for selectively opening and closing the passageway  38  defined by the port  36 . Usually, the tip extends perpendicular to the engagement portion  78  such that sealing tip  82  selectively engages the port  36  to selectively open and close the passageway  38 . As described above and shown in  FIG. 10 , the port  36  has the substantially cylindrical configuration and the passageway  38  has the “L” shape configuration. The cylindrical configuration facilitates the extension of the port  36  into the inner cavity  50 . The “L” shape configuration of the passageway  38  facilitates the extension and positioning of the passageway  38  into the inner cavity  50 , with a portion of the defined passageway  38  substantially parallel to the sealing tip  82 , facilitating the selective opening and closing the passageway  38  by the sealing tip  82  of the sealing arm  52 . 
     Typically, the body  44 , the leg  60 , and the sealing arm  52  are comprised of a copolymer material such as polyoxymethylene (POM), commonly referred to as acetal. Alternatively, the body  44 , the leg  60 , and the sealing arm  52  may be comprised of nylon or any suitable engineering thermoplastic. It is to be appreciated that the body  44 , the leg  60 , and the sealing arm  52  may be comprised of any suitable material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the valve  42  may further include a sealing member  84  coupled to the sealing tip  82  with the sealing member  84  compressible for sealing against the port  36  and closing the passageway  38 . Said differently, when present, the sealing member  84  is positioned between the sealing tip  82  and the port  36  with the sealing member  84  engaging both the sealing tip  82  and the port  36  when the sealing arm  52  is in the first position. The sealing member  84  is usually made of an elastomeric material such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber or silicone rubber. It is to be appreciated that the sealing member  84  may be made of any suitable material for sealing against the port  36 . 
     The leg  60  engages and moves the sealing arm  52 . More specifically, the leg  60  may engage the engagement portion  78  between the body  44  and the sealing tip  82  to move the sealing arm  52  from the first position to the second position. Furthermore, the leg  60  may have an abutment portion  86  transverse to the extension portion  76  with the abutment portion  86  engaging the engagement portion  78  of the sealing arm  52  and moving the sealing arm  52  from the first position when the leg  60  is in the initial position to the second position when the leg  60  is in the activated position. Furthermore, the abutment portion  86  may be transverse to the engagement portion  78  of the sealing portion. As such, the abutment portion  86  exerts a transverse force on the engagement portion  78  as the leg  60  moves from the initial position to the activated position. 
     The abutment portion  86  of the leg  60  typically engages the engagement portion  78  of the sealing arm  52  spaced from the second end  64  of the body  44 . The engagement of the abutment portion  86  with the engagement portion  78  spaced from the second end  64  of the body  44  creates a moment force about the living hinge  68 . The moment force is equal to the transverse force exerted by the abutment portion  86  of the leg  60  multiplied by the distance of the spacing between the second end  64  and the abutment portion  86 . The greater the spacing, the more moment force about the living hinge  68 . As such, the transverse force required to create the moment force that is constant anywhere along the engagement portion  78  decreases the greater the spacing is between the second end  64  and the abutment portion  86 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the engagement portion  78  of the sealing arm  52  is usually half-way along the engagement portion  78  between the second end  64  of the body  44  and the sealing tip  82 . It is to be appreciated that the abutment portion  86  or any other portion of the leg  60  may engage the sealing arm  52  anywhere along the engagement portion  78  or any other portion of the sealing arm  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the valve  42  may further include a biasing member  88  coupled to the sealing arm  52  for biasing the sealing arm  52  toward the first position for closing the passageway  38  of the port  36  when the shape memory alloy member  54  is the first length L 1 . More specifically, the biasing member  88  is usually positioned within the inner cavity  50  and is coupled to each of the sealing arm  52  and the lip  75 . Even more specifically, the biasing member  88  is usually coupled to each of the engagement portion  78  of the sealing arm  52  and a stud which extends from the lip  75 . As such, the biasing member  88  biases the sealing arm  52  away from the lip  75  toward the first position. Said differently, the biasing member  88  is in compression between the engagement portion  78  and the stud of the lip  75 . The biasing member  88  assists the internal bias within the sealing arm  52  and/or the body  44  (and when present, the living hinge  68 ) which biases the sealing arm  52  toward the first position. 
     It is to be appreciated that the biasing member  88  may be coupled to the sealing arm  52  and to any component of the fluid routing device  20  to bias the sealing arm  52  toward the first position. Furthermore, as described above the biasing member  88  is usually in compression. It is to be appreciated that the biasing member  88  may be in tension, torsion, deflection, or any other suitable spring-state which biases the sealing arm  52  toward the first position. 
     As described above and shown in  FIG. 4 , the shape memory alloy member  54  is mounted to the body  44  and disposed at least partially along the outer surface  46 . More specifically, the shape memory alloy member  54  may extend between a pair of ends  90 . Furthermore, the shape memory alloy member  54  may be disposed along a majority of the outer surface  46  such that the shape memory alloy member  54  substantially encircles the body  44 . For example, the pair of ends  90  is positioned along the outer surface  46  of the second portion  72  of the body  44  substantially adjacent to one another such that the shape memory alloy member  54  encircles the body  44 . It is to be appreciated that the shape memory alloy member  54  may be disposed along any of the outer surface  46  of the body  44  which facilitates the shape memory alloy member  54  constricting about the body  44 . 
     The outer surface  46  of the body  44  may define a channel  92  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The shape memory alloy member  54  is received within the channel  92  to retain the disposition of the shape memory alloy member  54  at least partially along the outer surface  46  of the body  44  and mount the shape memory alloy member  54  to the body  44 . Typically, the channel  92  is defined by the outer surface  46  with the channel  92  extending longitudinally between the first and second ends  62 ,  64 . It is to be appreciated that the channel  92  may be defined by the outer surface  46  anywhere along the body  44 . 
     As described above and shown in  FIG. 4 , the valve  42  may further include the board  74 . The board  74  may have a conductivity to an electrical current. The shape memory alloy member  54  may be coupled to the board  74  with the board  74  selectively transmitting the electrical current to the shape memory alloy member  54  to alternate the shape memory alloy member  54  between the energized and de-energized states. More specifically, each of the pair of ends  90  of the shape memory alloy member  54  may be coupled to the board  74  with the board  74  selectively transmitting the electrical current through the shape memory alloy member  54  between the pair of ends  90 . For example, the board  74  may have a pair of terminals  94  with one of the pair of ends  90  of the shape memory alloy member  54  coupled to one of the pair of terminals  94  and with another one of the pair of ends  90  of the shape memory alloy member  54  coupled to another one of the pair of terminals  94 . Each of the pair of ends  90  may be coupled to the pair of terminals  94  by a threaded shaft  96  and a nut  98 . It is to be appreciated that the pair of ends  90  may be coupled to the pair of terminals  94  by any suitable means, including, but not limited to, crimping and soldering. 
     When the electrical current is transmitted by the board  74  through the shape memory alloy member  54  between the pair of ends  90 , the shape memory alloy member  54  is in the energized state as shown in  FIG. 6 . On the other hand, when the electrical current is not transmitted by the board  74  through the shape memory alloy member  54  between the pair of ends  90 , the shape memory alloy member  54  is in the de-energized state, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     When the shape memory alloy member  54  is in the de-energized state and is the first length L 1  as shown in  FIG. 4 , the shape memory alloy member  54  is in a martensite phase. When the shape memory alloy member  54  is in the energized state and is the second length L 2  as shown in  FIG. 6 , the shape memory alloy member  54  is in an austenite phase. The shape memory alloy member  54  in the austenite phase is shorter than the shape memory alloy member  54  in the martensite phase. When the electrical current is applied to the shape memory alloy member  54  (i.e., the shape memory alloy member  54  goes from the de-energized state to the energized state) the shape memory alloy member  54  undergoes a phase change from the martensite phase to the austentite phase. When the electrical current is removed from the shape memory alloy member  54  (i.e., the shape memory alloy member  54  goes from the energized state to the de-energized state) the shape memory alloy member  54  undergoes a phase change from the austentite phase to the martensite phase. 
     The operation of the fluid routing device  20  will be discussed below for illustrative purposes only. Specifically, the operation of opening the passageway  38  defined by the port  36  will be discussed first below, followed by the operation of closing the passageway  38  defined by the port  36  will be discussed first below. 
     The passageway  38  of the port  36  is normally closed by the valve  42 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Said differently, when the shape memory alloy member  54  is in the de-energized state, the internal bias of at least one of the sealing arm  52  and the body  44  (and when present, the biasing member  88 ) biases the sealing arm  52  toward the port  36 . The sealing arm  52  engages the port  36  and closes the passageway  38 . More specifically, when present, the sealing member  84  disposed on the sealing tip  82  engages the port  36  and closes the passageway  38 . The shape memory alloy member  54  has the first length L 1 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     To open the passageway  38 , the shape memory alloy member  54  enters the energized state. The shape memory alloy member  54  reduces in length from the first length L 1  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to the second length L 2  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ). The reduction in length to the second length L 2  causes the shape memory alloy member  54  to constrict about the body  44 . Typically, the constriction of the shape memory alloy member  54  causes the body  44  to deflect from the assembled-initial position to the assembled-deflected position. When the living hinge(s)  68  is/are present, the constriction causes the body  44  to deflect at the living hinge(s)  68 . 
     The constriction of the shape memory alloy member  54  about the body  44  causes the leg  60  to move from the initial position to the activated position. Typically, the deflection of the body  44  causes the leg  60  to move from the initial position to the activated position. The leg  60  engages the sealing arm  52 . The leg  60  moves the sealing arm  52  from the first position to the second position when the leg  60  moves from the initial position to the activated position. When the living hinge  68  is present at the first end  62  of the body  44 , the movement of the sealing arm  52  is further defined as pivoting of the sealing arm  52  about the living hinge  68  from the first position to the second position. 
     With the shape memory alloy member  54  in the energized state and the second length L 2 , with the leg  60  in the activated position, and with the sealing arm  52  in the second position, the passageway  38  of the port  36  is open (as shown in  FIG. 11 ) and the fluid may flow therethrough. 
     To close the passageway  38 , the shape memory alloy member  54  enters the de-energized state. The shape memory alloy member  54  increases in length from the second length L 2  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) to the first length L 1  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The increase in length to the first length L 1  causes the shape memory alloy member  54  to loosen about the body  44 . If the body  44  was deflected in the energized state, the internal bias of the body  44  causes the body  44  to move from the assembled-deflected position to the assembled-initial position. Typically, the constriction of the shape memory alloy member  54  causes the body  44  to deflect. When the living hinge(s)  68  is/are present, the constriction causes the body  44  to deflect at the living hinge(s)  68 . 
     Furthermore, the internal bias of the at least one of the sealing arm  52  (and when present, the biasing member  88 ) biases the sealing arm  52  toward the port  36 . The sealing arm  52  engages the port  36  and closes the passageway  38 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . More specifically, when present the sealing member  84  disposed on the sealing tip  82  engages the port  36  and closes the passageway  38 . 
     The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. As is now apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications and variations of the subject invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.