Patent ID: 8783285

Claim:
A drain valve comprising: a first plate fastened to an interior surface of an enclosure on an aircraft, the first plate and the surface each comprising a respective substantially planar segment, each planar segment being substantially parallel to the other substantially planar segment; a bolt passing through an extension of the first plate and configured to move linearly through and substantially orthogonal to the substantially planar segment of the first plate, the extension being substantially orthogonal to the substantially planar segment of the first plate; a second plate connected to a first end of the bolt, the second plate being: substantially planar, substantially parallel to the first plate, and configured to transition between a first position in direct contact with the first plate, and a second position separated from the first plate in response to a linear movement of the bolt, such that an opening in the first plate permits fluid to exit the enclosure with the second plate in the second position, the first position comprising a first surface of the second plate being flush with a second outer surface of the enclosure, the first surface being a substantially planar surface facing away from the enclosure; a third plate connected to a second end of the bolt such that the bolt, the third plate, and the second plate move linearly together, the third plate configured such that the third plate limits a distance the second plate can move away from the first plate, and a shape memory alloy spring directly connected to both the first plate and the third plate, the shape memory alloy spring configured to deform, into a first shape and a second shape to position the second plate in the first position and the second position respectively.