MAGNETIC FLUID COUPLING ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS

• US 20080143098A1
• Filed: 11/07/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited (Lb-shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Angstrom Power Incorporated (BIC, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zimmermann, Joerg, Schrooten, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/004 using magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/28 with fluid cut-off means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/44 with one lift valve being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04201 Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Fluid coupling assemblies and methods are discussed. The fluid coupling assemblies include a first coupling member, a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, and a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member. A magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member unseals a fluid flow path therebetween. In certain examples, the first coupling member is sealed by a valve member and the second coupling member includes an activation member. When engaged, the valve member is moved from a closed position to an open position by the activation member, thereby unsealing the fluid flow path. A magnetic force between the first coupling member and the second coupling member can be chosen such that the members disengage when a predetermined fluid flow path pressure is reached.

Claims

1. A fluid coupling assembly comprising:

a first coupling member having a first engagement portion, the first engagement portion including a valve member; and

a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, the second coupling member having a second engagement portion including an activation member;

wherein aligned magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member unseals a fluid flow path traversing a portion of each coupling member.

2. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein an overlap between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is about 1 mm or less when magnetically engaged.

3. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the first coupling member includes a first magnetic member having a first polarity and the second coupling member includes a second magnetic member having a second polarity, the first polarity attracted to the second polarity.

4. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 3, wherein the first magnetic member includes a magnet having a toroidial shape.

5. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member, the seal member configured to prevent fluid leakage when the coupling members are magnetically engaged.

6. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 5, wherein the seal member is disposed around the first engagement portion and includes a ring-shaped elastic member.

7. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 5, wherein the seal member is disposed around the activation member and includes a ring-shaped elastic member.

8. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the magnetic engagement includes a magnetic force between the first coupling member and the second coupling member, the magnetic force configured such that the first coupling member and the second coupling member disengage when the magnetic force is overcome.

9. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 8, wherein the disengagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member moves the valve member from an unsealed position to a resiliently biased sealed position, thereby sealing the fluid flow path.

10. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the second coupling member is integrated into a housing of a cellular phone, a satellite phone, a laptop computer, a computer accessory, a display, an audio or video player, a medical device, a television, a transmitter, a receiver, a lighting device, a power tool, or an electronic toy.

11. A fluid coupling assembly disposed between a fuel supply source and a fuel reservoir in a fuel cell powered device, the fluid coupling assembly comprising:

a first coupling member in fluid communication with the fuel supply source, the first coupling member having a first engagement portion; and

a second coupling member integrated in the fuel cell powered device and magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, the second coupling member having a second engagement portion;

wherein a magnetic engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion unseals a fluid flow path traversing a portion of each coupling member;

wherein disengagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member seals the fluid flow path.

12. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 11, wherein the magnetic engagement includes a magnetic force configured such that the first coupling member and the second coupling member disengage when a predetermined internal pressure of the fuel reservoir is reached.

13. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 11, wherein the magnetic engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is substantially depthless.

14. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 13, wherein the predetermined internal pressure is between about 300 psig and 725 psig.

15. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 11, wherein the first engagement portion includes a valve member and a valve seat, the valve member movable between a sealed position in contact with the valve seat and an unsealed position spaced from the valve seat.

16. The coupling assembly of claim 11, wherein the fuel cell powered device includes one of a cellular phone, a satellite phone, a laptop computer, a computer accessory, a display, an audio or video player, a medical device, a television, a transmitter, a receiver, a lighting device, a power tool, or an electronic toy.

17. A method of coupling a fuel supply source and a fuel reservoir in a fuel cell powered device, the method comprising:

magnetically engaging a first coupling member in fluid communication with the fuel supply source and a second coupling member in fluid communication with the fuel reservoir, including aligning a first engagement portion of the first coupling member and a second engagement portion of the second coupling member;

establishing a seal between the first coupling member and the second coupling member, including preventing fluid leakage between the fuel supply source and the fuel reservoir; and

opening a fluid flow path between the first coupling member and the second coupling member, including moving a valve member of the first engagement portion from a resiliently biased sealed position to an unsealed position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein opening the fluid flow path includes bringing a portion of an activation member of the second engagement portion in contact with a portion of the valve member.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein opening the fluid flow path includes allowing a stream of at least one of hydrogen, one or more alcohols, butane, formic acid, one or more borohydride compounds, one or more mixtures of alcohols and borohydrides, one or more ammonia borane solutions, one or more carbazole compounds, one or more hydocarbons, one or more alcohols, methane, hydrazine hydrate, propane, or ammonia to flow from the fluid supply source to the fluid receiving reservoir.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein magnetically engaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member includes coupling a magnet disposed on the first coupling member and a magnetic surface of the second coupling member.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein magnetically engaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member includes overlapping the first and second engagement portions less than about 1 mm.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein establishing a seal between the first coupling member and the second coupling member includes compressing a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member, including moving the valve member of the first engagement portion to the resiliently biased sealed position, thereby sealing the fluid flow path.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member includes attaining a predetermined internal pressure of the fuel reservoir.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member is directionally independent.