Agilent Technologies, Inc.
AIR GAP MAGNETIC COUPLING WITH COUNTERBALANCED FORCE

Abstract:

A magnetic coupling assembly includes a first balancing magnet positioned and surrounding drive magnets and, across a gap, a second balancing magnet and surrounding driven magnets. The drive magnets when rotated drive the driven magnets to rotate. The balancing magnets generate a repulsive force, which counterbalances an attractive force generated by the drive magnets and driven magnets. The assembly may be utilized in a pump for contactless coupling of a motor shaft to a pump shaft. The driven side of the assembly may be hermetically sealed, such as with a liquid crystal polymer boundary interposed in the gap.