US Patent 7866624 Heat sensitive release valve for cryogenic tank

A heatable cryo-valve for a cryogenic tank storing liquid hydrogen. In one embodiment, the cryo-valve includes a valve plate mounted to a valve body by a spring. The spring forces the valve plate against a valve seat to prevent hydrogen from flowing through the cryo-valve when the valve is in a closed position. A resistive heating device is position proximate the valve plate. An electrical current applied to the heating device causes the device to expand, which pushes the device against the valve plate and against the bias of the spring to move the valve plate off of the valve seat and allow hydrogen to flow therethrough. The cryo-valve can be designed so that the heating device does not come in direct contact with the liquid hydrogen.