The problem
Shafts that pass through a seal leak and wear. Mechanical couplings transmit vibration and fail destructively under overload.
How coded magnets help
Correlated Magnetics Research's applications page says Polymagnet coupling devices can transfer torque across an air gap without physical contact, and lists torque overload protection, no wear, and a barrier to vibration among the potential benefits. A TechCrunch article reposted on CMR's blog describes CMR building magnetic solutions for companies that need to control torque and movement while keeping an air gap.
Patterned faces let designers tune torque and the number of engagement positions; CMR's torque catalog groups rotational alignment, detent and twist-release parts. For fluid couplers in extreme environments, see the NASA cryogenic coupler on the aerospace page.