Magnetic fluid coupling assemblies and methods

• US 7,891,637 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2007
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr., John K
• Application Number:
  US11/936,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20080143098A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 251/142, 251/149, 251/149.1, 251/149.3, 251/149.6, 251/149.7, 251/149.9
• US Class Current: 251/149.9
• 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;

a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member;

a valve member disposed within the first coupling member, wherein the valve member is movable between a sealed position in contact with a valve seat and an unsealed position spaced from the valve seat; and

a stationary activation member disposed within the second coupling member and configured to move the valve member when the first and second coupling members are magnetically engaged;

wherein magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member provides and maintains a mechanical force sufficient to unseal a fluid flow path traversing a portion of each coupling member.

2. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, further including a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member and the mechanical force is sufficient to cause the seal member to prevent or reduce fluid leakage when the first and second coupling members are magnetically engaged.

3. 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.

4. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve member is the only valve member of the fluid coupling assembly.

5. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid coupling is disposed between a fuel supply source and a fuel reservoir in a fuel cell powered device.

6. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the stationary activation member is the only stationary activation member of the fluid coupling assembly.

7. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the stationary activation member is hollow and the fluid flow path is configured to extend therethrough.

8. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the stationary activation member includes a mating face having a convex surface.

9. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling members disengage when the mechanical force is overcome and disengagement of the first and second coupling members seals the fluid flow path.

10. A fluid coupling assembly comprising:

a first coupling member;

a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member;

a single valve member disposed within the first coupling member, wherein the single valve member is the only valve member of the fluid coupling assembly and is movable between a sealed position in contact with a valve seat and an unsealed position spaced from the valve seat; and

an activation member disposed within the second coupling member and configured to move the single valve member when the first and second coupling members are magnetically engaged;

wherein magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member provides and maintains a mechanical force sufficient to unseal a fluid flow path traversing a portion of each coupling member.

11. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 10, further including a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member and the mechanical force is sufficient to cause the seal member to prevent or reduce fluid leakage when the first and second coupling members are magnetically engaged.

12. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 10, 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.

13. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the activation member is stationary and is the only activation member of the fluid coupling assembly.

14. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the fluid coupling is disposed between a fuel supply source and a fuel reservoir in a fuel cell powered device.

15. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the activation member is hollow and the fluid flow path is configured to extend therethrough.

16. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the activation member includes a mating face having a convex surface.

17. The fluid coupling assembly of claim 16, wherein the single valve member includes a mating face having a concave surface complementary to the convex surface of the activation member.

18. 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 with a complimentary portion of a second coupling member of a fluid coupling assembly, wherein the fluid coupling assembly includes

the first coupling member;

the second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member;

a valve member disposed within the first coupling member, wherein the valve member is movable between a sealed position in contact with a valve seat and an unsealed position spaced from the valve seat; and

a stationary activation member disposed within the second coupling member and configured to move the valve member when the first and second coupling members are magnetically engaged;

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 by bringing a portion of the stationary activation member in contact with a portion of the valve member.

19. The method of claim 18, 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 hydrocarbons, 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 18, 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 disposed on the second coupling member.

21. The method of claim 18, 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 18, 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 18, further comprising disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member, including moving the valve member to the sealed position, the sealed position being resiliently biased, 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.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the valve member is the only valve member of the fluid coupling assembly.

27. The method of claim 18, wherein the stationary activation member is the only stationary activation member of the fluid coupling assembly.

28. The method of claim 18, wherein the stationary activation member is hollow and the fluid flow path is configured to extend therethrough.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein the stationary activation member includes a mating face having a convex surface.

30. 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 with a complimentary portion of a second coupling member of a fluid coupling assembly, wherein the fluid coupling assembly includes

the first coupling member;

the second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member;

a single valve member disposed within the first coupling member, wherein the single valve member is the only valve member of the fluid coupling assembly and is movable between a sealed position in contact with a valve seat and an unsealed position spaced from the valve seat; and

an activation member disposed within the second coupling member and configured to move the single valve member when the first and second coupling members are magnetically engaged;

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 by bringing a portion of the activation member in contact with a portion of the single valve member.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein opening the fluid flow path includes allowing a stream of hydrogen to flow from the fluid supply source to the fluid receiving reservoir.

32. The method of claim 30, 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 disposed on the second coupling member.

33. The method of claim 30, 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.

34. The method of claim 30, 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.

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member, including moving the single valve member to the sealed position, the sealed position being resiliently biased, thereby sealing the fluid flow path.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member includes attaining a predetermined internal pressure of the fuel reservoir.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member is directionally independent.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the activation member is the only activation member of the fluid coupling assembly and is stationary.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein the activation member is hollow and the fluid flow path is configured to extend therethrough.

40. The method of claim 30, wherein the activation member includes a mating face having a convex surface.