US Patent 8414366 Active material enabled pressure release valves and methods of use

An active pressure relief valve adapted for selectively regulating a condition within an interior compartment generally includes a housing fluidly coupling the compartment to an external environment and defining an opening, an actuator including an active material element operable to effect movement of a flap relative to the opening, a load limit protector coupled to and configured to present a secondary output path for the element, when the flap is unable to move, and/or a latching mechanism coupled to, and configured to engage the flap, so as to retain the flap in a modified condition.