Patent ID: 7565906

Claim:
A fluid delivery system comprising: (a) a pressure generating system adapted to generate a flow of gas at a pressure level; (b) a patient circuit having a first end coupled to the pressure generating system and a second end adapted to be coupled to an airway of a patient; and (c) a valve operatively associated with the patient circuit to control a pressure, a flow of gas, or both in the patient circuit, wherein the valve comprises: (1) a first valve member, (2) a second valve member operatively coupled to the first valve member and moveable relative thereto, wherein the first valve member and the second valve member cooperate to define a valve opening having a size that varies with a relative position between the first valve member and the second valve member to control the pressure, the flow of gas or both, (3) a first magnet coupled to the first valve member, and (4) a second magnet coupled to the second valve member and magnetically coupled to the first magnet such that a magnetic interaction of the first magnet and the second magnet provides a dampening force between the first valve member and the second valve member, and (5) wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are oriented relative to one another such that a repulsive force between the first magnet and the second magnet increases non-linearly as the second magnet moves toward the first magnet, and further comprising: an actuator associated with the first valve member and the second valve member, wherein the actuator advances the second valve member relative to the first valve member such that second magnet moves toward the first magnet; and a controller coupled to the actuator, wherein the controller provides an actuating energy supplied to the actuator that imparts an actuating force on the second valve member urging the second magnet toward the first magnet.