Patent ID: 6517045
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
A valve comprising a valve body and located therein, a valve member movable between a first position in which the valve is in a first operational mode adjacent a first magnetic or magnetizable member and a second position in which the valve is in a second operational mode adjacent a second magnetic or magnetizable member, the valve member being T-shaped in cross-section and including a first rare earth magnet located within an upright central portion and a plurality of additional rare earth magnets located in a circular configuration about said upright central portion and which, in conjunction with the first and/or second magnetic or magnetizable member, causes the valve member when in either one of said positions to be magnetically biased against movement towards the other of said positions, and wherein the second magnetic or magnetizable member generates a magnetic field sufficient to overcome the magnetic bias in the first or second position so as to cause said valve member to move to the other of said positions, the second magnetic or magnetizable member generating the magnetic field comprises a single coil lying outside the valve body and the valve body and valve member being arranged to prevent the valve member from passing through the coil.