Magnetic fluid coupling assemblies and methods

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A fluid coupling assembly disposed between a hydrogen fuel supply source and a hydrogen fuel reservoir in a hydrogen fuel cell-powered device, the 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 hydrogen fuel flow path traversing a portion of each coupling member.   
     
     
         3 . The fluid coupling assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen fuel supply source comprises a hydrogen supply source. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid coupling assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen fuel supply source comprises the first coupling member. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid coupling assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell-powered device comprises the second coupling member. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid coupling assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising 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 hydrogen leakage when the first and second coupling members are magnetically engaged. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid coupling assembly of  claim 2 , 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. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid coupling assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the valve member is the only valve member of the fluid coupling assembly that is movable between a sealed position in contact with a valve seat and an unsealed position spaced from the valve seat. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid coupling assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the stationary activation member is the only stationary activation member of second coupling member. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid coupling assembly of  claim 2 , 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 hydrogen fuel flow path. 
     
     
         11 . A method of coupling a hydrogen fuel supply source and a hydrogen fuel reservoir in a hydrogen 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 comprises
 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, comprising preventing hydrogen leakage between the fuel supply source and the fuel reservoir; and   opening a hydrogen fuel 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 first coupling member.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogen fuel supply source comprises a hydrogen supply source. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogen fuel supply source comprises the first coupling member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell-powered device comprises the second coupling member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein magnetically engaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises coupling a magnetic surface of the first coupling member and a magnet of the second coupling member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein establishing a seal between the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises compressing a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member, comprising moving the valve member to the sealed position, the sealed position being resiliently biased, thereby sealing the hydrogen fuel flow path. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein disengaging the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises first attaining a predetermined internal pressure of the fuel reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined internal pressure is between about 300 psig and about 725 psig. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the valve member is the only valve member of the fluid coupling assembly that is movable between a sealed position in contact with a valve seat and an unsealed position spaced from the valve seat. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the stationary activation member is the only stationary activation member of the fluid coupling assembly.