with the heat source, wax motors can be operated without the need for an additional external power source. Applications Aerospace Controls Wax motors are used heavily in the aerospace industry where they are utilized to control fuel, hydraulic, and other oils critical to safe flight today in modern airplanes. Mixing Valves - HVAC Wax motors are contained inside "self actuating" thermostatic mixing valves, where the wax motor senses thermal change and responds accordingly to yield a desired mixed fluid temperature. Laundry washing machines Some front load washing machines use wax motors to engage the door lock assembly. When a cycle is started, a wax motor is actuated pushing a pin outward and locking the door. This design has cost, reliability and safety advantages. In moist conditions a wax motor costs less for equivalent reliability than an electromagnetic solenoid or motor latch. It has a predictable passive release delay. If power is lost the door remains briefly locked, designed to be longer than the high speed spin cycle coast-down time, then reliably unlocks as the wax cools. Water heating systems Wax motors are also commonly used to drive zone valves in hydronic (hot water) heating systems. Dishwashers They are used in many dishwashers to release the detergent dispenser door latch. The wax motor acts like a solenoid when activated by the dishwasher's timer or control, and the piston operates the mechanism which then releases the catch for the dispenser door. They are also used to control the exhaust vent for the drying cycle. Greenhouse vents Wax motors are widely used to operate the temperature regulating vents of greenhouses. In this application, as the ambient temperature within the greenhouse increases, the wax melts, activating the plunger and opening the vents. When the greenhouse temperature has cooled sufficiently, the wax cools and solidifies, allowing the vents to close again. Paraffin microactuator A paraffin microactuator is a type of wax motor, often fabricated by microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology or sometimes precision mechanics. See also Wax thermostatic element References External links Wax Motor Manufacturer - Rostra Vernatherm General Thermal Actuator - Wax Motor Information Wax Motor and Thermoactuator Manufacturer | iSwell Actuators