US 5,704,613 A · Methods for sealing and unsealing using a magnetically permeable solid-based medium

Abstract

Devices and methods employ a solid-based medium that serves as a magnetic sealant, a lubricant, a bearing, an electrical or thermal conductor, singly or in combination. Included are devices wherein the solid-based medium is retained in a selected position using a magnetic field. In particular, the solid-based medium is either magnetically coupled to the magnetic field or is contained within a cavity sealed by a magnetic seal. In one group of embodiments, the solid-based medium comprises molecules having a molecular structure wherein one element of the structure is a cage or tube, as in fullerenes or met-cars. Such molecules are particularly useful in all of the devices of the present invention because of their exceptional stability and resilience. These properties ensure good performance in corrosive and/or vacuum environments and over a longer lifetime than is possible with conventional media.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method for unsealing and resealing a gap between a magnet and a member having a surface facing the magnet in a closely spaced, noncontacting relationship, comprising:

(a) providing an assembly including
(i) the magnet;
and
(ii) the member, wherein the member is movable between a first position and a second position, relative to the magnet, in said assembly;
(b) providing
(i) a first, magnetically permeable region on the surface of the member;
and
(ii) a second, magnetically nonpermeable region on the surface of the member, the member occupying a first position, wherein the first region is proximal to the magnet;
(c) retaining a solid-based medium in contact with the magnet, the member contacting the solid-based medium when the member is in the first position;
(d) moving the member from the first position to a second position, wherein the second region is proximal to the magnet, thereby removing the contact between the member and the solid-based medium;
and
(e) moving the member from the second position back to the first position, thereby reestablishing the contact between the member and the solid-based medium.

9 more elements

A method for unsealing and resealing a gap between a magnetically permeable pole piece element and a member having a surface facing the pole piece element, comprising:

(a) providing an assembly including
(i) a magnet;
and
(ii) the magnetically permeable pole piece element;
wherein a first end of the pole piece element is in a magnetic-flux relationship with the magnet;
and
(iii) the member, wherein the member is movable between a first position and a second position, relative to a second end of the pole piece element, in said assembly;
(b) providing
(i) a first, magnetically permeable region on the surface of the member;
and
(ii) a second, magnetically nonpermeable region on the surface of the member,
the member occupying a first position, wherein the first region faces a second end of the pole piece element in a closely spaced, noncontacting relationship;
(c) retaining a solid-based medium in contact with the second end of the pole piece element and the first region of the member when the member is in the first position;
(d) moving the member from the first position to a second position, wherein the second region faces the second end of the pole piece element in a closely spaced, noncontacting relationship, thereby removing the contact between the member and the solid-based medium;
and
(e) moving the member from the second position back to the first position, thereby reestablishing the contact between the member and the solid-based medium.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods for sealing and unsealing using a magnetically permeable solid-based medium

Life of this patent

Methods for sealing and unsealing using a magnetically permeable solid-based medium

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22