Variable force solenoid valve

A variable force solenoid valve assembly for controllably reducing a fluid inlet pressure to an outlet control pressure in response to an electrical input signal, comprising:

• a solenoid sub-assembly having a housing, an electromagnetic coil located in said housing, and an armature assembly including an armature adapted to translate within said coil in response to said electrical input signal being applied to said coil;
• a valve sub-assembly having a valve body mounted to said housing and including an inlet port, an outlet port, an exhaust port and a central bore axially aligned with said armature and adapted to fluidly communicate with each of said inlet outlet and exhaust ports, said valve sub-assembly further including valve means mechanically communicating with said movable armature and fluidly communicating said exhaust port with said outlet port, said valve means translating in accordance with translation of said armature for varying the fluid pressure discharged from said outlet port as a function of said electrical input signal;
• and
• a combined bearing/diaphragm seal through which a portion of said armature assembly extends, said combined bearing/diaphragm seal adapted to support said armature assembly for translational axial movement while concurrently providing fluid separation between said valve sub-assembly and said solenoid sub-assembly, said combined bearing/diaphragm seal including a generally flat spring plate having a bore enabling a portion of said armature assembly to translate in an axial direction therethrough and a fluid sealing material applied to both sides of said spring plate for providing fluid isolation between said bore and said portion of said armature assembly.

A variable force solenoid valve assembly for controllably reducing a fluid inlet pressure to an outlet control pressure in response to an electrical input signal, comprising:

• an energization coil assembly defining a central bore;
• a moveable armature disposed in said central bore and adapted to translate therein in response to energization of said coil assembly;
• a first flux collector magnetically coupled to said coil assembly, said first flux collector having adjustment means for varying the air gap between said armature assembly and said first flux collector across which magnetic fields are transferred for generating an attracting force between said first flux collector and said armature, said attracting force urging said armature to move toward said first flux collector when said coil assembly is energized;
• spring means disposed between said first flux collector and said armature assembly for urging said armature away from said first flux collector when said coil assembly is de-energized;
• a second flux collector disposed below and adjacent to said coil assembly;
• a housing for enclosing said first flux collector, said coil assembly, and said second flux collector;
• a valve body fixed to said second flux collector and having a central bore formed therein;
• a valve member retained in said valve body central bore and coupled to said armature so as to permit movement of said valve member within said central bore of said valve body in response to movement of said armature;
• a combined bearing/diaphragm seal through which a portion of said armature extends, said bearing/diaphragm seal adapted to axially guide said armature and concurrently provide fluid separation between said valve body and said solenoid assembly;
• first passage means for communicating fluid at said inlet pressure to said outlet pressure;
• second passage means for communicating fluid at said outlet pressure to an exhaust sump;
• fluid restriction means for controllably restricting fluid flow between said first and second passages in accordance with the position of said valve member, said restriction means modulating said outlet pressure, whereby said outlet control pressure is controllably regulated in response to a resultant force imposed on said valve member due to said spring means, the controlled energization and de-energization of said coil assembly, and the fluid pressure acting on said valve member from within said valve body.