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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7226278 | Shape memory alloy wire driven positive displacement micropump with pulsatile output Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluid are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a miniature pump that includes a shape memory wire that obtains a plastic condition below a transformation temperature and has a memorized shape such that the shape memory wire produc... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7138912 | Movable barrier operations method and apparatus Movement of a movable barrier (10) such as, for example, a vertically-dropping fire door, can be controlled in an informed manner and with greater flexibility regarding the manner of movement via, in one embodiment, use of a motor (20) as a generator t... | 11/21/2006 |
| 7052251 | Shape memory alloy wire driven positive displacement micropump with pulsatile output Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluid are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a miniature pump that includes a shape memory wire that obtains a plastic condition below a transformation temperature and has a memorized shape such that the shape memory wire produc... | 05/30/2006 |
| 7000668 | System and method for sealing openings in response to smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air using a roll-down barrier A system and method for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected opening from the passage of smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air includes a powered clutch and viscous governor that provides a fail-safe mode of operation. A curtain is positioned in a housing... | 02/21/2006 |
| 6969920 | Low current shape memory alloy devices An SMA device in which an SMA wire actuating element is operated periodically at a low voltage by power derived from a current source current which is too low to heat the wire directly sufficiently for effective actuation. The low current source is connected to a ca... | 11/29/2005 |
| 6924730 | Fire door control system and method including periodic system testing A fire door control system permits user input during regular use and during alarm conditions. The system utilizes primary and secondary power sources and incorporates a variety of preventive safeguards assuring that functionality of the fire door control system will... | 08/02/2005 |
| 5896907 | Rolling fire door including a door hold-open/release system A rolling fire door includes a door hold-open/release system that includes an electromagnet which is energized by a controller when the door is in the open position. The energized electromagnet magnetically attracts a bottom bar of the rolling door to sec... | 04/27/1999 |
| 5816306 | Shape memory alloy actuator A shape memory alloy actuator is disclosed. In one arrangement, a louvered window covering, such as a vertical or horizontal venetian blind, is provided with a thermal actuator to automatically rotate slats forming the louvered window covering between ope... | 10/06/1998 |
| 5782690 | Curtain fire damper A damper door system that includes an opening in a planar wall, a retractable damper door and a track extending through said opening. The damper door includes slots that are conformable to the track when the door is in a closed position. In addition, the ... | 07/21/1998 |
| 5275219 | Environmentally interactive automatic closing system for blinds and other louvered window coverings A louvered window covering, such as a vertical or horizontal venetian blind, is provided with a thermal actuator to automatically rotate slats forming the louvered window covering between open and closed positions. The actuator includes at least one memor... | 01/04/1994 |
| 5107916 | Heat responsive memory metal actuator An actuator which includes a memory metal element, a substantially constant force counteracting spring, and an actuated element. The memory metal transforms from a martensite structure to an austenite structure at a known temperature. The martensite struc... | 04/28/1992 |
| 4805261 | Resettable fire link A resettable fire link includes a first member (12) that pivotally supports a latch arm (20) thereon with a bi-metallic coil spring (30) interposed between the first member and the free end of the latch arm to normally bias the latch arm into a latched po... | 02/21/1989 |
| 4763711 | Fire damper A fire damper having a temperature-sensitive link assembly designed to permit ease of maintenance of the damper. In one embodiment, the link assembly includes a fusible link that extends across and holds the blades folded. At each end, the link is coupled... | 08/16/1988 |
| 4432609 | Radiation protection louver An improved radiation protection louver system is described which comprises a movable louver panel hinged to a rotatable shaft through a thermally sensitive closure hinge member comprising a martensitic structure alloy exhibiting the characteristic of cha... | 02/21/1984 |
| 4279240 | Self-regulating solar window device A window device for controlling the transmission of solar radiation therethrough, having a first diffuser means forming the exterior of the device for diffusing incoming solar radiation, a second diffuser means spaced interiorly from the first diffuser me... | 07/21/1981 |
| 4080978 | Smoke, fire and air control damper A rotating blade, smoke, fire and air control damper with spring closures attached on both inside and outside surfaces of the blades is disclosed. The spring closures cooperate with a bimetallic heat sensing device to trigger the closing of the blades at ... | 03/28/1978 |
| 4027655 | Fireplace damper release mechanism A fireplace damper release mechanism for mounting in a fireplace adjacent a fire. The mechanism coacts with a fireplace damper connecting rod to automatically close the fireplace damper when the fire has gone out thereby avoiding the loss of heat from the... | 06/07/1977 |
| 4005547 | Thermally responsive ventilated cold frame A cold frame for providing an environment conducive to the growing of plants having walls and a flexible, light-transmitting cover member which is flexed to form a ventilation opening. The cover member is flexed manually or by means responsive to the temp... | 02/01/1977 |
| 3973173 | Curtain control system for poultry houses The side curtains of a poultry house are automatically opened upon a power failure in the electrical circuit of the ventilating system. An electrical monitoring circuit activated responsive to such power failure, releases a winch which normally maintains ... | 08/03/1976 |
