Patent ID: 8365753

Claim:
A magnetic flow controller comprising: a body defining a fluid flow passage having an inlet and an outlet; a stop member mounted across said inlet; and a displaceable member disposed in said body adjacent said stop member; wherein at least one of said stop member and said displaceable member includes a magnet, and the other of said stop member and said displaceable member includes a ferromagnetic portion, so as to create a magnetic force, acting on said displaceable member, sufficient to cause the displaceable member to engage said stop member so as to close and seal the flow passage; said body also including walls defining a first, elongate portion of substantially constant diameter for sealingly engaging said displaceable member and a second portion, having a diameter larger than said constant diameter, said body having a plurality of guide members extending radially from the walls of the second portion, wherein said displaceable member, when in said second portion, non-sealingly engages said guide members and is disengaged from said walls of said body; said first, elongate portion being of sufficient length to permit said displaceable member to generate a measurable volume of fluid before said displaceable member disengages from said walls to unseal said flow passage, thereby generating measurable volume flowing through the passage when said displaceable member disengages from said walls; further comprising a return element adapted and configured to urge the displaceable member to return towards said stop member; wherein said return element includes a magnet.