Solenoid-operated fluid flow control valves

A solenoid-operated flow control valve comprising a housing having a bore, a solenoid coil, an armature, an inlet and an outlet, means defining a permanent communication between said inlet and said outlet, said means comprising a first and a second flow path connected in parallel between said inlet and said outlet, said first flow path being closable and said second flow path providing a variable permanent communication between said inlet and said outlet, an exhaust, a seating and a valve assembly including a hollow valve body working in said bore, said armature being responsive to said coil to open said exhaust to create a pressure differential across said valve body, said pressure differential in turn causing said valve body to move in said bore so as to co-operate with said seating, whereby said valve body provides selective communication between said inlet, outlet and exhaust, and whereby upon deenergisation of said coil said flow control valve controls the rate of reapplication of pressure to said outlet.