Contamination resistant cartridge valve

Abstract

In one aspect, a pressure regulating valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a sleeve positioned within the housing, and a spool at least partially positioned within the sleeve. The spool includes an outer surface having a shoulder, and the spool is configured to translate within the sleeve between a closed position and an open position. The valve assembly further includes a cap coupled to the sleeve and surrounding at least a portion of the spool, and the cap includes an inner surface with a flange extending therefrom. In the closed position the spool shoulder abuts against the cap flange to define a sealed metering edge. In the open position the spool shoulder is spaced from the cap flange to unseal the metering edge and define a metering window to facilitate fluid flow therethrough to the fluid outlet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.