Magnetic fluid coupling assemblies and methods
First Claim
1. A fluid coupling assembly comprising:
- a first coupling member having a first magnetic member and a first engagement portion, the first engagement portion comprising a single valve member, wherein the single valve member abuts a ball member that abuts a resilient member; and
a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, the second coupling member comprising a second magnetic member and a second engagement portion comprising a single outwardly projecting activation member configured to physically contact and move the single valve member from a sealed position to an unsealed position, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member is the only activation member of the fluid coupling assembly and the single outwardly projecting activation member projects outwardly from and is an integral part of a surface of a recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member terminates within the recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein the recess portion of the second coupling member is an integral part of the second coupling member;
wherein aligned magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member is in response to the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member mating only along a single plane and the magnetic engagement unseals a fluid flow path traversing a portion of each coupling member; and
wherein the magnetic engagement comprises 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.
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Accused Products
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.
53 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A fluid coupling assembly comprising:
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a first coupling member having a first magnetic member and a first engagement portion, the first engagement portion comprising a single valve member, wherein the single valve member abuts a ball member that abuts a resilient member; and a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, the second coupling member comprising a second magnetic member and a second engagement portion comprising a single outwardly projecting activation member configured to physically contact and move the single valve member from a sealed position to an unsealed position, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member is the only activation member of the fluid coupling assembly and the single outwardly projecting activation member projects outwardly from and is an integral part of a surface of a recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member terminates within the recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein the recess portion of the second coupling member is an integral part of the second coupling member; wherein aligned magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member is in response to the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member mating only along a single plane and the magnetic engagement unseals a fluid flow path traversing a portion of each coupling member; and wherein the magnetic engagement comprises 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. 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:
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a first coupling member having a first magnetic member and a first engagement portion; a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, the second coupling member having a second magnetic member and a second engagement portion; 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, wherein the single valve member abuts a ball member that abuts a resilient member; a single outwardly projecting activation member disposed within the second coupling member and configured to physically contact and move the single valve member when the first and second engagement portions are magnetically engaged, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member projects outwardly from and is an integral part of a surface of a recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member terminates within the recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein the recess portion of the second coupling member is an integral part of the second coupling member; wherein a magnetic engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is in response to the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member mating only along a single plane and the magnetic engagement unseals a fluid flow path traversing a portion of each coupling member and places the fuel cell powered device into fluid communication with the fuel supply source; wherein disengagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member seals the fluid flow path and disrupts fluid communication between the fuel cell powered device and the fuel supply source; and wherein the magnetic engagement comprises 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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method of coupling a fuel supply source and a fuel reservoir in a fuel cell powered device, the method comprising:
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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, the first coupling member having a first magnetic member, the second coupling member having a second magnetic member, the magnetic engagement being in response to the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member mating only along a single plane and the magnetic engagement comprising aligning a first engagement portion of the first coupling member and a second engagement portion of the second coupling member, the first engagement portion comprising a single valve member and the second engagement portion comprising a single outwardly projecting activation member, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member is the only activation member of the first coupling member and the second coupling member and the single outwardly projecting activation member projects outwardly from and is an integral part of a surface of a recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein the single outwardly projecting activation member terminates within the recess portion of the second coupling member, wherein the recess portion of the second coupling member is an integral part of the second coupling member, wherein the single valve member abuts a ball member that abuts a resilient member; establishing a seal between the first coupling member and the second coupling member, comprising preventing fluid leakage between the fuel supply source and the fuel reservoir; opening a fluid flow path between the first coupling member and the second coupling member, comprising bringing the single outwardly projecting activation member of the second engagement portion in contact with the single valve member of the first engagement portion to move the single valve member from a resiliently biased sealed position to an unsealed position; and disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member, comprising moving the single valve member of the first engagement portion to the resiliently biased sealed position, thereby sealing the fluid flow path, wherein disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member is in response to attaining a predetermined internal pressure of the fuel reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification