Non-sliding valve
AssigneeSeal Tech Corp.
InventorsMichael Mullally, Paul Welker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solenoid valve moves an armature back and forth between valve open and valve closed positions without the armature having any sliding engagement with any fixed valve part. This is accomplished by supporting the armature with a spring having one periphery engaging a fixed valve surface and another periphery engaging the armature so that armature movement causes flexure of the spring, but no sliding contact. This helps prevent generation of dirt within the valve and ensures accurate armature movement to make the valve durable and reliable. Springs in both washer and cylindrical helical shapes can accomplish this.
Claims33
In a solenoid-controlled valve having a seat around a valved opening, a puck arranged to engage the seat to close the valved opening, an armature holding the puck for movement out of and into engagement with the seat, a spring supporting the armature for movement and biasing the armature toward a closed valve position, and a solenoid arranged to move the armature against the spring bias to open the valve, the improvement comprising:
- a. the spring having a fixed perimeter and a movable perimeter that are each circular and larger than the seat and concentric with the seat;
- b. the fixed perimeter being secured to a body of the valve;
- c. the movable perimeter supporting the armature so that the armature has no sliding engagement with any valve surface;
- and
- d. the solenoid being arranged to apply a magnetic force to an armature perimeter that is larger than the seat and concentric with the seat.
A spring support arrangement for a solenoid armature carrying a valve-closing puck, the arrangement comprising:
- a. a spring connected to the armature and to a body of the valve to support the armature and to hold the armature clear of other valve surfaces as the armature moves away from and toward a closed valve position;
- b. the spring biasing the armature toward the closed valve position;
- and
- c. the spring restraining the armature from moving radially while allowing the armature to move axially so that the puck engages a seat of the valve repeatedly in a single line of contact.
A solenoid armature support and guidance system for a valve, the system comprising:
- a. a spring providing both support and guidance for the armature;
- b. the spring holding the armature concentrically of a solenoid and biasing the armature toward a seat for the valve;
- c. the spring allowing the armature to move axially of the solenoid and the valve seat;
- d. the spring restraining the armature from deviation from the axial movement;
- e. the spring being connected to the armature and to a body of the valve;
- f. the spring holding the armature clear of engagement with any valve surface during axial movement of the armature;
- g. magnetic flux generated by the solenoid acting on a periphery of the armature to cause the axial movement of the armature;
- and
- h. the armature carrying a puck that engages the valve seat to close the valve.
A solenoid valve comprising:
- a. an armature supported by a spring to move without contacting any valve surfaces as the armature travels from closed to open valve positions;
- b. the spring biasing the armature toward the closed valve position, and a solenoid moving the armature to the open valve position;
- and
- c. the spring being concentric with the armature and arranged to hold the armature against radial movement while allowing the armature to move axially of the solenoid.
A system supporting and allowing movement of an armature of a solenoid valve, the system comprising:
- a. a spring extending from a body of the valve to the armature to hold the armature for movement between open and closed valve positions;
- b. the spring biasing the armature toward the closed valve position;
- c. a solenoid being actuatable to draw the armature to the open valve position;
- d. the spring holding the armature clear of any valve surface during its movement between the closed and open valve positions;
- e. the spring being arranged to allow only linear movement of the armature;
- and
- f. the spring being arranged to prevent any radial movement of the armature.
A support for an armature of a solenoid valve, the support comprising:
- a. a generally plane and annular spring having an inner periphery secured in a groove in the armature to support the armature for axial movement;
- b. an outer periphery of the spring being secured to a body of the valve;
- and
- c. the spring biasing the armature toward a closed valve position.
A support for an armature of a solenoid valve, the support comprising:
- a. a generally cylindrical spring flanged to a body of the valve and to the armature;
- b. the spring allowing the armature to move axially of the spring and constraining the armature from moving radially of the spring;
- and
- c. the armature contacting only the spring during armature movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.