Compensation of jet forces in a valve with an axial outlet

A method of operation of a solenoid-operated valve assembly comprising:

• receiving fluid through an at least one inlet in a valve member housing;
• directing the fluid between the valve member housing and a spool valve, the valve member housing including at least one nozzle flow director, the spool valve including an inlet seat that stops the fluid from entering at the at least one inlet when the spool valve is in a closed position, the at least one nozzle flow director angles radially outward from the spool valve, is positioned between an inlet seat of the at least one inlet and the outlet, and is configured to create a condition whereby the spool valve is pressure balanced and jet forces are reduced;
• directing the fluid from the at least one nozzle flow director into and through a tail of the spool valve;
• and
• discharging the fluid axially from the tail of the spool valve.

A method of operation of a solenoid-operated valve assembly comprising:

• receiving gas through an at least one inlet in a valve member housing;
• directing the gas between the valve member housing and a spool valve, the valve member housing including at least one nozzle flow director, the spool valve including an inlet seat that stops the gas from entering at the at least one inlet when the spool valve is in a closed position, the at least one nozzle flow director angles radially outward from the spool valve, is positioned between an inlet seat and the outlet, and is configured to create a condition whereby the spool valve is pressure balanced and jet forces are reduced;
• directing the gas from the at least one nozzle flow director into and through a tail of the spool valve;
• and
• discharging the gas axially from the tail of the spool valve.