IP Library Granted Patent US 9,371,923
Granted Patent B2
US 9,371,923 · App. 14/472,945 · Granted Jun 21, 2016

Magnetic valve assembly

Inventors: Larry W Fullerton (New Hope, AL); Mark D Roberts (Huntsville, AL)
Assignee: Correlated Magnetics Research, LLC
F16K11/14H01F7/0242F16K31/086F16K31/088Y10T137/86815Y10T137/86823
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,371,923
App. No.
14/472,945
Granted
Jun 21, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A valve assembly comprises a sealed container connected to a hot water supply line and a cold water supply line. The sealed container has an outlet for supplying at least one of hot water or cold water to a faucet. A valve mechanism is located inside the sealed container comprising a stationary mixing part and a moveable mixing part. A magnetic coupling adapter has a first magnetic structure located outside of a wall of the sealed container. A first magnetic structure is made of a first magnetizable material having a first plurality of first printed maxels having a first polarity pattern. A second magnetic structure located inside the wall of the sealed container is made of a second magnetizable material having a second plurality of second printed maxels having a second polarity pattern that is complementary to the first polarity pattern. The first magnetic structure and second magnetic structure are magnetically coupled across the wall of the sealed container. A first adapter interface component located outside of the wall of the sealed container is associated with the first magnetic structure. A second adapter interface component located inside the wall of the sealed container is associated with the second magnetic structure and the moveable mixing part. A movement control mechanism includes a moveable handle associated with the first adapter interface, which is configured to control a movement of the magnetic coupling adapter and thereby a movement of the moveable mixing part to control flow and mixing of the hot and cold water.

Claims (34)

1. A valve assembly, comprising:

a sealed container connected to a hot water supply line and a cold water supply line, said sealed container having an outlet for supplying at least one of a hot water or a cold water to a faucet;

a valve mechanism located side said sealed container, said valve mechanism comprising:

a stationary mixing part; and

a moveable mixing part;

a magnetic coupling adapter, comprising:

a first magnetic structure located outside of a wall of said seated container, said first magnetic structure being a first magnetizable material having a first plurality of first printed maxels having a first polarity pattern;

a second magnetic structure located inside said wall of said sealed container, said second magnetic structure being a second magnetizable material having a second plurality of second printed maxels having a second polarity pattern that is complementary to said first polarity pattern, said first magnetic structure and said second magnetic structure being magnetically coupled across said wall of said sealed container;

a first adapter interface component located outside of a wall of said sealed container and associated with said first magnetic structure; and

a second adapter interface component located inside said wall of said seated container and associated with said second magnetic structure and said moveable mixing part; and

a movement control mechanism including a moveable handle associated with said first adapter interface and configured to control a movement of said magnetic coupling adapter and thereby a movement of said moveable mixing part to control flow and mixing of said hot and said cold water.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said stationary mixing part comprises a first side and a second side apposite said first side.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein said first side of said stationary mixing part comprises first inlet configured to receive said hot water from said hot water supply line, a second inlet configured to receive said cold water from said cold water supply line, and an outlet for supplying at least one of said hot water and said cold water to said faucet, said first and second inlets and said outlet extending from said first side of said stationary mixing part to said second side of said stationary mixing part.

4. The valve assembly of claim 3 , wherein said moveable mixing part comprises a first side and a second side opposite said first side.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4 , wherein said first side of said moveable mixing part comprises an outer portion, an inner portion, and a channel.

6. The valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein said second side of said stationary mixing part and said first side of said movable mixing part are configured to interface with each other to provide a seal intended to prevent leakage of at least one of said cold water and said hot water out of said valve mechanism.

7. The valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein a location of said inner portion of said first side of said moveable mixing part relative to the first and second inlets of said second side of said stationary mixing part controls said flow and said mixing of said hot water and said cold water.

8. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said moveable handle is configured for rotational movement.

9. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said moveable handle is configured for translational movement.

10. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said movement control mechanism further comprises:

a stem assembly attached to said handle and associated with said first adapter interface component.

11. The valve assembly of claim 10 , where said stem assembly comprises a ball having a knuckle that can be placed into a recess of said first adapter interface component.

12. The valve assembly of claim 11 , wherein said ball movable within a housing.

13. The valve assembly of claim 11 , wherein movement of said ball is constrained.

14. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said movement of said moveable mixing part is a rotational movement.

15. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said movement of said moveable mixing part is a translational movement.

16. The valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a puck associated with said stationary mixing part.

17. The valve assembly of claim 16 , further comprising:

a gasket between said puck and said stationary mixing part.

18. The valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

a tap between at least one of the cold water supply line and the hot water supply line and the sealed container.

19. The valve assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a piston connected to said tap.

20. The valve assembly of claim 1 , where the sealed container is filled with grease.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2014
From: FULLERTON, LARRY W; ROBERTS, MARK D
To: CORRELATED MAGNETICS RESEARCH, LLC
Reel/Frame 033640/0063 →
Continuity (63)
Continuation In Part 14198226 · Mar 5, 2014
Continuation In Part 14103760 · Dec 11, 2013
Continuation In Part 13779611 · Feb 27, 2013
Continuation In Part 14066426 · Oct 29, 2013
Continuation 13374074 · Dec 9, 2011
Continuation In Part 14086924 · Nov 21, 2013
Continuation In Part 14035818 · Sep 24, 2013
Continuation In Part 13959649 · Aug 5, 2013
Continuation In Part 13759695 · Feb 5, 2013
Continuation 13481554 · May 25, 2012
Continuation In Part 13351203 · Jan 16, 2012
Continuation 13157975 · Jun 10, 2011
Continuation 12952391 · Nov 23, 2010
Continuation 12478911 · Jun 5, 2009
Continuation 12478950 · Jun 5, 2009
Continuation 12478969 · Jun 5, 2009
Continuation 12479013 · Jun 5, 2009
Continuation In Part 12476952 · Jun 2, 2009
Continuation In Part 12476952
Continuation In Part 12476952
Continuation In Part 12476952
Continuation In Part 12322561 · Feb 4, 2009
Continuation In Part 12358423 · Jan 23, 2009
Continuation In Part 13918921 · Jun 15, 2013
Continuation 13629879 · Sep 28, 2012
Continuation 13426909 · Mar 22, 2012
Continuation In Part 13179759 · Jul 11, 2011
Continuation In Part 14045756 · Oct 3, 2013
Continuation In Part 13240335 · Sep 22, 2011
Continuation In Part 12476952
Continuation In Part 12895589 · Sep 30, 2010
Continuation In Part 12885450 · Sep 18, 2010
Continuation In Part 12476952
Continuation In Part 13246584 · Sep 27, 2011
Continuation In Part 12123718 · May 20, 2008
Provisional Application 61871689 · Aug 29, 2013
Provisional Application 61794427 · Mar 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61798233 · Mar 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61798453 · Mar 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61799507 · Mar 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61800377 · Mar 15, 2013
Provisional Application 61735460 · Dec 10, 2012
Provisional Application 61640979 · May 1, 2012
Provisional Application 61604376 · Feb 28, 2012
Provisional Application 61459994 · Dec 22, 2010
Provisional Application 61796863 · Nov 21, 2012
Provisional Application 61744342 · Sep 24, 2012
Provisional Application 61519664 · May 25, 2011
Provisional Application 61465810 · Mar 24, 2011
Provisional Application 61744864 · Oct 4, 2012
Provisional Application 61403814 · Sep 22, 2010
Provisional Application 61462715 · Feb 7, 2011
Provisional Application 61277214 · Sep 22, 2009
Provisional Application 61277900 · Sep 30, 2009
Provisional Application 61278767 · Oct 9, 2009
Provisional Application 61279094 · Oct 16, 2009
Provisional Application 61281160 · Nov 13, 2009
Provisional Application 61283780 · Dec 9, 2009
Provisional Application 61284385 · Dec 17, 2009
Provisional Application 61342988 · Apr 22, 2010
Provisional Application 61404147 · Sep 27, 2010
Provisional Application 61123019 · Apr 4, 2008
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