Fluid control system

A plurality of solenoid operated valves for use with valve bodies of the type having an annular valve seat and first and second ports communicating with opposite sides of the flow passage through said valve seat, each of said solenoid valves comprising:

• a valve member linearly moveable, when mounted on a valve body of the type stated, between an open position whereby fluid may flow from said first port through said valve body to said second port, to a closed position whereby said valve member rests on said valve seat in opposition to the pressure of the fluid communicated from said first port to prevent fluid flow from said first port to said second port through said valve body;
• a pressure responsive means coupled to said valve member and responsive to a fluid pressure on a first side thereof to force said valve member to said closed position and responsive to a fluid pressure on a second side thereof to force said valve member to said open position, said first side of said pressure responsive means being in communication with fluid being received under pressure from said first port, said second side of said pressure responsive means being in communication with fluid deliverable through said second port;
• second valve means interposed in a fluid passageway communicating with said first and second sides of said pressure responsive means, said second valve means including a second valve member moveable between a closed position preventing fluid flow and an open position allowing fluid flow;
• a solenoid having at least one solenoid coil and having a stationary member and moving member at least in part defining a magnetic circuit, said moving member being coupled to said valve means and moveable with respect to said stationary member between a first position having a minimum non-magnetic gap in said magnetic circuit to a second position having a substantial non-magnetic gap, said solenoid being responsive to a first current pulse in a solenoid coil to magnetize said magnetic circuit in said solenoid and move and retain said valve means to one of said open and closed positions, and responsive to a second current pulse in a solenoid coil to change the level of magnetization to a second level to allow the movement of said valve means to the other of said open and closed positions;
• a first switch means mechanically coupled to said moving member for actuation thereby, said switch means having first and second terminals;
• electronic power source means;
• electronic time delay means for creating a time delay signal, said first terminal of said first switch means being coupled to one terminal of said electronic power source means, said electronic time delay means being coupled between said second terminal of said first switch means and a second terminal of said electronic power source, said electronic time delay means being a means for providing a time delay output signal a predetermined length of time after actuation of said first switch means;
• a second switch means, said second switch means being an electronic switch coupled to said electrical power source and in series with a solenoid coil and responsive to an actuation signal, said second switch means being a means for coupling a solenoid coil to said electrical power source upon receipt of a first electrical signal, to provide said first current pulse thereto;
• a third switch means, said third switch means being an electronic switch coupled to said electrical power source and in series with a solenoid coil and responsive to a said time delay signal from said electronic time delay means, said second switch means being a means for coupling a solenoid coil to said electrical power source upon receipt of a second electrical signal from said time delay means to provide said second current pulse thereto;
• said electronic time delay means of each except the last one of said plurality of solenoid valves is coupled to said second switch means of the next of said plurality of said solenoid valves so that said time delay output signal of said time delay means of a responsive said solenoid valve actuates said second switch means of the next said solenoid valve.

A fluid control system comprising:

• a plurality of solenoid actuated valves each responsive to a first electrical signal to open the respective valve and a second electrical signal to close the respective valve;
• each of said valves including time delay means for providing said second electrical signal to close the respective valve is predetermined length of time after said first electrical signal opens said respective valve;
• means for providing a first electrical signal to open the first of said solenoid actuated valves, sai solenoid activated valves being arranged in series;
• and
• means for coupling said time delay means of each said solenoid actuated valves to the next of said solenoid activated valves so that said second electrical signal of one of said time delay means further provides said first electrical signal to the next of said solenoid actuated valves.