US 4,774,976 AGranted

Modulating hydraulic pressure control valve and assembly method therefor

AssigneeApplied Power Inc.

InventorsJames P. Janecke, Ronald C. Koltz

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Abstract

A hydraulic pressure control valve includes a modulator-controlled solenoid assembly which selectively axially displaces a disc armature adjacent thereto. When not attracted by the solenoid, the armature is biased away from the solenoid by a wave spring. Movement of the armature opens and closes the outlet of a lower body member to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure. The armature is improved, having dimples on the face adjacent the solenoid assembly to minimize sticking. Additionally, the center pole of the solenoid is axially adjustable and can therefore be set for different valve performance levels. Assembly of the valve is quickly accomplished using pneumatic pressure under performance conditions for adjustment of and setting the initial displacement of the disc armature. Setting is accomplished by crimping the various components in an outer tube.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A modulating hydraulic pressure control valve comprising:

(a) a cylindrical sleeve;
(b) a solenoid in said sleeve having:
a center pole;
an annular outer pole surrounding the lower portion of said center pole;
a winding of wire substantially surrounding the portion of said center pole above said outer pole;
a power source connected to said winding capable of supplying an electrical current to said winding such that a magnetic field is induced in said center pole and said outer pole by the current in said winding;
an annular end cap above said winding;
and
wherein said solenoid has a generally planar lower face;
(c) a valving element in said sleeve and spaced apart from said solenoid, said valving element including:
a generally cylindrical body portion having an upper generally circular face;
said upper face of said valving element defining a chamber with said sleeve and said lower face of said solenoid;
an outlet port extending from said chamber through said body portion;
a plurality of inlet ports extending to said chamber through said body portion and adjacent said outlet port, said inlet ports admitting hydraulic fluid under pressure to said chamber;
an exhaust port connected to said outlet port;
(d) control means within said chamber, said control means including:
an armature movable between a first sealing position and a second open position, such that when said armature is in said first position, communication between said inlet and outlet ports is prevented and said armature is in contact with said upper face;
and
when said armature is in said second position, communication between said inlet and outlet ports is permitted and said armature is spaced apart from said upper face;
means biasing said armature in said first position whenever said solenoid is de-energized;
(e) wherein said center pole is axially movable so that when an electrical current energizes said winding, the magnetic reluctance created thereby between said armature and said solenoid may be adjusted, therefore controlling the level of magnetic saturation for the materials in use.

18 more elements

A modulating hydraulic pressure control valve comprising:

(a) a cylindrical sleeve;
(b) a solenoid in said sleeve having:
a pole, including an annual outer pole segment;
a winding of wire substantially surrounding said pole;
a power source connected to said winding capable of supplying an electrical current to said winding such that a magnetic field is induced in said pole by the current in said winding;
and
wherein said solenoid has a lower face;
(c) a valving element spaced apart from said solenoid, said valving element including:
a generally circular body portion having an upper generally circular face;
said upper face of said valving element defining a chamber with said sleeve and said lower face of said solenoid;
an outlet port extending from said chamber through said body portion;
a plurality of inlet ports extending to said chamber through said body portion and adjacent said outlet port, said inlet ports admitting hydraulic fluid under pressure to said chamber;
an exhaust port connected to said outlet port;
(d) control means within said chamber, said control means including:
a disc armature movable between a first sealing position and a second position, such that when said armature is in said first position, communication between said inlet outlet ports is prevented and said armature is in contact with said upper face;
and
when said armature is in said second position, communication between said inlet and outlet ports is permitted and said armature is spaced apart from said upper face, said armature having:
a first face designed to prevent fluid communication between said inlet and outlet ports when said disc is in said first position;
a second face designed to contact only said outer pole segment when said disc is in said second position;
and
wherein said second face has at least three spaced dimples thereon, each of said dimples having a recessed portion and a raised circumferential lip therearound;
and
means biasing said armature in said first position whenever said solenoid is de-energized.

20 more elements

A modulating hydraulic pressure control valve comprising:

(a) a cylindrical sleeve;
(b) a solenoid in said sleeve having:
a center pole;
an annular outer pole surrounding the lower portion of said center pole;
a winding of wire substantially surrounding the portion of said center pole above said outer pole;
a power source connected to said winding capable of supplying an electrical current to said winding such that a magnetic field is induced in said center pole and said outer pole by the current in said winding;
an annular end cap above said winding;
and wherein said solenoid has a generally circular lower face;
(c) a valving element in said sleeve and spaced apart from said solenoid, said valving element including:
a generally cylindrical body portion having an upper generally circular face;
said upper face of said valving element defining a chamber with said sleeve and said lower face of said solenoid;
an outlet port extending from said chamber through said body portion;
a plurality of inlet ports extending to said chamber through said body portion and adjacent said outlet port, said inlet ports admitting hydraulic fluid under pressure to said chamber;
an exhaust port connected to said outlet port;
(d) control means within said chamber, said control means including:
a disc armature movable between a first sealing position and a second opening position, such that when said armature is in said first position, communication between said inlet and outlet ports is prevented and said armature is in contact with said upper face;
and when said armature is in said second position, communication between said inlet and outlet ports is permitted and said armature is spaced apart from said upper face, said armature having:
a first face designed to seal fluid communication between said inlet and outlet ports when said disc is in said first position;
a second face designed to contact said outer and center poles when said disc is in said second position;
and
wherein said second face has at least three dimples thereon, each of said dimples having a recessed portion and a raised circumferential lip therearound;
means biasing armature in said first position whenever said solenoid is de-energized;
(e) wherein said center cylindrical pole is axially movable so that when an electrical current energizes said winding, the magnetic reluctance created thereby between said armature and said solenoid may be adjusted.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.