Compact pin-within-a-sleeve three-way valve

A three-way valve assembly, comprising:

• a valve housing containing a valve chamber and first, second and third valve passages communicating with said valve chamber;
• a movable valve member mounted for reciprocal movement within said valve chamber between first and second positions, said movable valve member including a first end and a second end spaced axially along said movable valve member from said first end and a cavity opening into said second end;
• a stop means positioned adjacent said second end of said movable valve member for defining one. Of said first and second positions of said movable valve member, said stop means including a floating pin arranged to be telescopingly received within said cavity of said movable valve member adjacent said second end;
• a first valve seat associated with said valve housing and movable valve member and positioned between said first and second ends of said movable valve member, said first valve seat being formed between said valve housing and said movable valve member, said first valve seat being positioned to be closed when said movable valve member is in said first position to seal said third valve passage from the said first and second valve passages and allow fluid communication between said first and second valve passage through said valve chamber;
• a second valve seat associated with said valve housing and said movable valve member and positioned between said first and said second ends of said movable valve member, said second valve seat being formed between said movable valve member and said floating pin, said second valve seat being positioned to be closed when said movable valve member is in said second position to seal said second valve passage from said first and third valve passages and allow fluid communication between said first and third valve passages;
• and
• an actuating means for advancing said movable valve member toward said first position when energized and for allowing said movable valve member to retract to said second position when de-energized, said actuating means positioned adjacent said first end of said movable member.