Remanufactured Solenoid Valves and Devices For Remanufacturing Solenoid Valves
AssigneeSonnax Industries, Inc.
InventorPatrick A. Keller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for remanufacturing solenoid valves that enable the repair, reassembly, and reuse of a solenoid are disclosed which may allow for a solenoid valve to be restored to proper working condition and avoid the need to completely replace a malfunctioning solenoid valve. Embodiments may also include solenoid remanufacturing kits that may include a brace for securing a valve housing of a remanufactured solenoid that has been opened for repair.
Claims24
A brace for remanufacturing an original equipment (OE) solenoid valve, the OE solenoid valve having a solenoid portion and a valve portion, the valve portion configured and dimensioned to be sealingly disposed in a solenoid bore of a valve body, the valve portion including a valve housing having a substantially cylindrical outer surface, an exhaust portion defining a plurality of exhaust ports, and a substantially cylindrical cap defining a plurality of inlet ports and disposed over the valve housing, said brace comprising:
- a first portion having a central longitudinal axis and configured to be disposed on the outer surface of the valve housing and configured to prevent relative movement between said brace and the valve housing in a first direction along said central longitudinal axis;
- and
- a second portion configured to be coupled to at least one of the exhaust ports and configured to prevent relative movement between said brace and the solenoid portion in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction to thereby securely couple the valve housing to the exhaust portion.
A remanufactured solenoid valve comprising:
- a valve moveably coupled to a valve seat;
- an exhaust portion having a base and a plurality of vertical members defining a plurality of exhaust ports;
- a valve housing disposed over said valve seat and coupled to said exhaust portion, said valve housing having a fracture line at a location where a portion of the valve housing has been broken open;
- and
- a substantially cylindrical brace disposed over said valve housing and coupled to said exhaust portion, said brace configured to secure said valve housing to said exhaust portion.
A kit for remanufacturing an Original Equipment (OE) solenoid valve, the OE solenoid valve having a valve housing and a plurality of fluid ports including at least one exhaust port, the valve housing having a fracture line at a location where a portion of the valve housing was opened to repair the OE solenoid valve, said kit comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical brace including a first portion configured to be disposed on an outer surface of the valve housing and a second portion including at least one flange;
- and
- at least one clip configured to be inserted between said at least one flange and said first portion of said brace and extend into said at least one exhaust port when said brace is slidably disposed over said valve housing to thereby couple said valve housing to said OE solenoid valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.