Liquid dispensing device and methods utilizing a magnetically coupled valve system

摘要

A liquid dispensing device including a body (12) generally having an actuator cavity and a liquid passage. A valve seat element (14) is connected to the body (12) and a valve stem (16) is mounted for movement within the body (12) with respect to the valve seat element (14). Inner and outer magnetic elements (90,74) are disposed around the periphery of the valve stem (16) to couple the valve stem (16) to the valve actuator (58). The inner magnetic element (90) is connected to the valve stem (16) for movement with the valve stem (16) within the body. The outer magnetic element (74) is connected with an actuator (58) and is slidable within the body in response to, for example, pressurized air being applied against the actuator. The magnetic elements (74,90) couple the valve stem (16) to the actuator (58) and eliminate the need for a dynamic seal between the valve stem (16) and body (12). <IMAGE>