Patent ID: 8230650

Claim:
A shape-memory spring activated soffit or foundation vent, comprising: (a) an enclosure; (b) a pivoting member disposed in said enclosure, wherein said pivoting member is supported by and able to pivot about an axis into a first, open position which allows for the passage of a sufficient volume of air to occur through said vent or into a second, closed position which prevents the passage of said sufficient volume of air from occurring through said vent; (c) a shape-memory alloy spring that includes a first expanded state and a second contracted state and wherein said shape-memory alloy spring is attached to said enclosure and to said pivoting member, and wherein said shape-memory alloy spring is able to urge said pivoting member into said second closed position when an ambient temperature reaches or exceeds a first predetermined upper temperature threshold; and (d) means for urging said pivoting member into said first, open position when said shape-memory allow spring is not disposed in said second contracted state; and wherein said shape-memory spring activated soffit or foundation vent substantially prevents the flow of ambient air there-through when said ambient temperature reaches or rises above said first predetermined upper temperature threshold, and wherein said shape-memory spring activated soffit or foundation vent permits the flow of ambient air there-through when said ambient temperature reaches or falls below a second predetermined lower temperature threshold.