Solenoid valve assembly and method of operating the same

A solenoid valve assembly for controlling the flow of fluids, comprising:

• a casing;
• a bobbin and a coil at least partially surrounded by the casing, the coil is configured to establish an electromagnetic field when an electrical current flows through the coil;
• a body at least partially surrounded by the coil, the body includes an upper portion, a lower portion, an axial bore, and first and second ports;
• a pole piece stationarily located within the axial bore of the body, the pole piece includes a ferromagnetic material;
• an armature slidingly located within the axial bore of the body, the armature includes a ferromagnetic material;
• a spring biased to push the pole piece and the armature apart, the pole piece and the armature are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another against the bias of the spring when the electromagnetic field is established;
• a primary seal located between the first port and the second port, the primary seal includes a primary seal surface and a primary seal seat, the first port and the second port are in fluid communication with one another when the primary seal is open, and the first port and the second port are in fluid isolation from one another when the primary seal is closed;
• and
• a secondary seal established at a sliding junction between an outer surface of the armature and an inner surface of the axial bore of the body, wherein the secondary seal is:
• a low clearance seal with a radial clearance on each side that is less than 0.10 mm, an extended length seal with a total axial length that is greater than 15 mm, and a simple metal-to-metal sliding seal without any sealing rings, pressure blocks, or other non-metal sealing components located along the entire sliding junction between the outer surface of the armature and the inner surface of the axial bore of the housing.