A pressure compensated switching solenoid valve, comprising:
- a solenoid with a coil located in a solenoid housing;
- a yoke having a longitudinal opening extending in a stroke direction located within the coil;
- a hydraulic housing having first and second axial ends, the hydraulic housing being connected at the first axial end thereof to the solenoid housing, a longitudinally extending housing opening extends between the first and second axial ends that is generally aligned with the longitudinal opening of the yoke, a first chamber defined between first and second valve seats longitudinally spaced apart within the hydraulic housing and a second chamber located on an opposite side of the first valve seat from the first chamber, at least one at least partially radially extending first chamber communication opening located between the first chamber and an outer surface of the hydraulic housing, at least one at least partially radially extending second chamber communication opening located between the second chamber and an outer surface of the hydraulic housing, and a supply port adapted to receive pressurized medium located at the axial second end;
- a sealing tube connected to the first axial end of the hydraulic housing, and a hollow longitudinally extending cup with a closed end extending inwardly in a longitudinal direction within the sealing tube, defining an annular armature guide receiving area with a closed end;
- an armature having a body and a sleeve-shaped guide portion extending therefrom that is slidably located in the annular armature guide receiving area, the sleeve-shaped guide portion having a generally annular upper surface with a first surface area, and at least one longitudinally extending groove extending along an outer surface of the body and the sleeve-shaped guide portion;
- a sealing element having a first end and a second end, the sealing element being located in the hydraulic housing, the first end engaging an end of the armature, and the sealing element including an upper shoulder extending about the sealing element, an intermediate sealing surface, and a poppet located at the second end;
- a spring that is supported in the hydraulic housing and contacts the upper shoulder in order to bias the sealing element in a longitudinal direction such that the poppet contacts the second valve seat;
- the hydraulic housing further comprising at least one pressure compensation fluid pathway that extends from the supply port to the at least one longitudinally extending groove extending along the outer surface of the armature body and the sleeve-shaped guide portion of the armature adapted to provide a path for pressurized hydraulic fluid to flow to the generally annular upper surface of the armature to compensate for pressure fluctuations from a pressure supply that act on the poppet.