A multiport valve may use a magnetic sphere in a fluid flow path to block flow. A magnet external to the fluid flow path may cause the sphere to pull away from the blocked position and may permit flow. The magnet may be moved away from the sphere, causing the sphere to again block the flow. By arranging multiple ports along the path of a magnet, each port may be individually actuated with a single magnet. The magnet's position may be controlled by a motor, allowing for computer controlled selection of a valve to be actuated with a minimum of moving parts and leakage. Each sphere may seal against an o-ring or against a cone, and the magnet may be selected to overcome the pressure forces holding the sphere in the sealed position.

Various devices and techniques related to valve actuation conversion kits are generally described. In various examples, conversion kits may include a bonnet component. In some examples, the conversion kits may include at least one attachment component effective to couple the bonnet component to a body or bonnet of a legacy valve. Coupling the bonnet component to the body or bonnet of the valve may form a cavity enclosed by the bonnet component and the body or bonnet of the valve. A portion of a stem of the valve may be disposed within the cavity when the bonnet component is coupled to the body or bonnet of the valve.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a valve having an actuator configured to translate a mass in a plane and a valve element located out of the first plane and configured to translate along a first linear axis. In an illustrative example, at least one of the mass and the valve element may include a magnetic source providing a persistent magnetic field and the other may include a non-magnetized, magnetically permeable mass. Reluctance-induced forces may, for example, translate the valve element towards the mass along the first linear axis when the mass is brought into register with a second linear axis. The first linear axis and the second linear axis may, for example, be colinear. Various embodiments may advantageously provide a valve requiring low energy input for operation.

A mounting and leveling system for an electronic image display device (10) formed of an array of multiple display sections (12) facilitates adjustment of the alignment of adjacent display sections to minimize visible seams between display sections. Some embodiments include one or more magnetically actuated fasteners (220) that facilitate front-access-only installation and adjustment without requiring access to the rear, top, bottom, or sides of the array. Tools (300, 410) for installation and removal of display modules (50) from a front side of the display device are also disclosed. Fasteners (220) for providing a hidden adjustable connection between first and second objects are also disclosed. One such fastener includes a screw (226) having a magnetic head (222) that presents a magnetic moment perpendicular to its axis of rotation (234).

Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. Magnetically-actuated valves may include mechanisms to completely seal the valve during normal operation. However, mechanical access to the internal actuation mechanism may be temporarily provided in the event of a stuck valve. Access to a mechanical non-magnetically coupled portion of the internal actuation member may be provided for emergency access. The access to the internal actuation member is sealed off under normal operating conditions. A sealed port covers the portion of the internal actuation member during normal magnetically-coupled operation, but can be removed for direct mechanical access to the actuator. Furthermore, a backup seal may be sheltered within this port. The backup seal is typically not exposed to the outside environment or degradation, but prevents leaks during emergency actuation when access to the internal actuation member is temporarily provided.

Implantable physiological shunt systems and related fluid flow control devices and accessories for use therewith. Devices, systems and methods relating to implantable medical fluid flow control devices, rotors and magnets with increased resistance to inadvertent setting changes. Devices, systems and methods relating implantable medical fluid flow control devices, rotors and magnets which provide improved magnetic coupling to fluid flow control device accessories such as adjustment tools.

The invention relates to a pilot valve arrangement (1) comprising a pilot valve device (2) which comprises a pilot valve element (13), a pilot valve seat (14) cooperating with the pilot valve element (13) and a presetting mechanism for presetting an opening pressure of the pilot valve element (13), the pilot valve arrangement (1) further comprising a presetting mechanism actuating device (3) which comprises an actuator element (17) adapted to create an actuating force in order to actuate the presetting mechanism in the pilot valve device so as to preset the opening pressure. According to the invention, the pilot valve arrangement (1) comprises a contactless force coupling arrangement adapted to transfer the actuating force from the presetting mechanism actuating device (3) to the pilot valve device (2). An inventive pilot valve device (2) is disclosed and claimed as well. The invention allows to improve maintenance and safety concerning the devices mentioned above.

An overfill valve associated with a drop tube segment fluidly connected to a fluid reservoir is described. The overfill valve includes a valve body positioned within the drop tube segment and a non-contact valve actuator positioned exterior to the drop tube segment and operable to actuate the valve body from an open position to a closed position without requiring any physical penetration through the wall of the drop tube segment. The non-contact valve actuator has a first position in which the non-contact valve actuator does not actuate the valve body from the open position to the closed position in a second position, achieved when the liquid reservoir reaches a predetermined level approaching the capacity of the liquid reservoir, the non-contact valve actuator actuating the valve body from the open position to the closed position when the non-contact valve actuator obtains the second position.

Various devices and techniques related to magnetically-actuated valves are generally described. Magnetically-actuated valves may include mechanisms to completely seal the valve during normal operation. However, mechanical access to the internal actuation mechanism may be temporarily provided in the event of a stuck valve. Access to a mechanical non-magnetically coupled portion of the internal actuation member may be provided for emergency access. The access to the internal actuation member is sealed off under normal operating conditions. A sealed port covers the portion of the internal actuation member during normal magnetically-coupled operation, but can be removed for direct mechanical access to the actuator. Furthermore, a backup seal may be sheltered within this port. The backup seal is typically not exposed to the outside environment or degradation, but prevents leaks during emergency actuation when access to the internal actuation member is temporarily provided.

Implantable physiological shunt systems and related fluid flow control devices and accessories for use therewith. Devices, systems and methods relating to implantable medical fluid flow control devices, rotors and magnets with increased resistance to inadvertent setting changes. Devices, systems and methods relating implantable medical fluid flow control devices, rotors and magnets which provide improved magnetic coupling to fluid flow control device accessories such as adjustment tools.