Patent ID: 7260932

Claim:
A shape memory alloy activated pinch valve comprising: a) a flexible flow path forming a conduit for fluid flow, b) a surface against which the fluid flow path may be compressed, c) a pinching component adapted to be positioned at either of two locations, a first location where the fluid flow path is compressed against the surface by the pinching component so that no fluid may flow along the flow path and a second location where the fluid flow path is not compressed against the surface by the pinching component so that fluid may flow along the flow path, d) a current source, e) a first shape memory alloy element adapted to receive current from the current source and connected to the pinching component such that the pinching component is positioned at its first location when no current is provided to the first shape memory alloy element, and is positioned at its second location when current is provided to the first shape memory alloy element, f) a latching component adapted to be positioned at either of two locations, a first location where the latching component engages the pinching component in its second location and a second location where the latching component does not engage the pinching component thereby allowing the pinching component to return to its first location, g) a second shape memory alloy element adapted to receive current from the current source and connected to the latching component such that the latching component is positioned at its first location when no current is provided to the second shape memory alloy element and is positioned at its second location when current is provided to the second shape memory alloy element, and h) a logical network for determining the timing of providing current to the first and second shape memory alloy elements.