Magnetically Controlled Pressure Relief Valve

Abstract

A relief valve includes a first chamber with an inlet that includes an inlet valve seat and an outlet. A second chamber is spaced apart from the first chamber. A chamber wall is positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber. A closure member is movably positioned within the first chamber and is configured to be closable on the inlet valve seat. A first magnet is coupled to the closure member. The first magnet is movably positioned within the second chamber and is configured to generate a first magnetic field of a first polarity. A second magnet is positioned within the second chamber and is configured to generate a second magnetic field of a second polarity. The first magnetic field and the second magnet field interact to bias the closure member to rest on the inlet valve seat with a set force.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A relief valve comprising:
 a body that includes:   a first chamber with an inlet and an outlet, the inlet comprising an inlet valve seat;   a second chamber spaced apart from the first chamber; and, a chamber wall positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber;   a closure member movably positioned within the first chamber, the closure member being configured to be closable on the inlet valve seat;   a first magnet coupled to the closure member, the first magnet being movably positioned within the second chamber, the first magnet configured to generate a first magnetic field of a first polarity;   a second magnet positioned within the second chamber and spaced apart from the first magnet, the second magnet configured to generate a second magnetic field of a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity, wherein the first magnetic field and the second magnet field interact to bias the closure member to rest on the inlet valve seat with a set force such that when a pressure in the inlet exceeds a set pressure resulting from the set force the closure member is lifted from the inlet valve seat.   
     
     
         2 . The relief valve of  claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is fluidly isolated form the first chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The relief valve of  claim 2 , further comprising a stem having a first end and a second end, the stem being coupled to the closure member proximate the first end of the stem, the second end of the stem extending away from the valve seat and through an aperture that extends through the chamber wall and into the second chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The relief valve of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one seal positioned at least one of around the stem and within the aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The relief valve of  claim 3 , wherein the first magnet is coupled proximate to the second end of the stem. 
     
     
         6 . The relief valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a positioning mechanism coupled to the second magnet, wherein the positioning mechanism is configured to adjustably position the second magnet within the second chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The relief valve of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one spacer positioned between one of the first magnet and the chamber wall and the second magnet and a top wall of the second chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The relief valve of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the chamber wall is formed of a non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         9 . The relief valve of  claim 1 , wherein the set force is a linear function of a distance between the first magnet and the second magnet. 
     
     
         10 . The relief valve of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing mechanism positioned between at least one of the first magnet and the second magnet, the second magnet and a top wall of the second chamber, the first magnet and the chamber wall, and the closure member and the chamber wall. 
     
     
         11 . A magnetically controlled actuation device configured to apply a force in a linear direction, the actuation device comprising:
 a body that defines a chamber and a chamber wall, wherein the chamber is fluidly isolated from an exterior of the chamber;   a first magnet movably positioned within the chamber, the first magnet configured to generate a first magnetic field of a first polarity;   a stem having a first end and a second end, wherein the first magnet is coupled proximate to the second end of the stem, the first end of the stem extending away from the first magnet and through an aperture that extends through the chamber wall to the exterior of the chamber;   a second magnet positioned within the chamber and spaced apart from the first magnet, the second magnet configured to generate a second magnetic field of a second polarity that is opposite the first polarity, wherein the first magnetic field and the second magnet field interact to bias the stem with the force.   
     
     
         12 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 11 , further comprising another chamber spaced apart from the chamber, wherein the chamber wall separates the chamber from the another chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 12 , further comprising a closure member movably positioned within the another chamber, the closure member being configured to be closable on a valve seat of at least one of an inlet and an outlet in the another chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 13 , wherein the closure member is coupled proximate to the first end of the stem. 
     
     
         15 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one seal positioned at least one of around the stem and within the aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 11 , further comprising a positioning mechanism coupled to the second magnet, wherein the positioning mechanism is configured to adjustably position the second magnet within the chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one spacer positioned between one of the first magnet and the chamber wall and the second magnet and a top wall of the chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the chamber and the chamber wall is formed of a non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         19 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 11 , wherein the set force is a linear function of a distance between the first magnet and the second magnet. 
     
     
         20 . The magnetically controlled actuation device of  claim 11 , further comprising a biasing mechanism positioned at least one of between at least one of the first magnet and the second magnet and around the stem.