TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Non-Collinear Valve Actuation System (MFS-TOPS-3)

NASA's Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses . THE TECHNOLOGY : NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center scientists have invented a novel valve actuator where the primary actuating system and return spring system are arranged non-collinearly. In the past, valve actuators have employed pressure-actuated piston and return spring systems with a linear arrangement that require bulky return springs. The need to reduce the mass of valve actuators for flight systems resulted in NASAs non-collinear valve actuator. The actuator may be used in a variety of applications that will benefit from lighter actuating systems or a smaller system footprint. A prototype of the NASA actuator has been built to regulate the flow of a quarter-turn ball valve. NASA is seeking partners who are interested in co-development or licensure of this novel technology. The actuator and return spring are connected non-collinearly using a rotably-affixed four bar linkage arm. The non-collinearity of the primary actuating system and return spring system of the NASA actuator allows the system to use a larger stroke while the return spring system experiences significantly less displacement. Therefore, the length and mass of the return spring may be minimized and more efficiently packaged as a smaller actuator. Belleville springs are identified as a useful return spring in the NASA system due to their low cost, small size and weight, and nearly constant force exertion over variable displacement distances. To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA's Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/MFS-TOPS-3 If you have any questions, please contact Cory Efird, Project Coordinator, Marshall Space Flight Center at [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/ These responses are provided to members of NASA's Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice .