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US 6,386,220 B1Granted
Solenoid operated pressure control valve
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorAnthony G. Koenings
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solenoid operated pressure control valve of the type using a spool valve member for controlling flow from a source inlet to a control outlet port and to an exhaust port. The solenoid has a reduced area portion of the flux collector in magnetic loop forming an annular air gap remote from the working air gap. The reduced flux across the annular air gap compensates for the rapid flux increase as the working air gap closes.
Claims13
A solenoid operated valve assembly comprising:
- (a) a valve body defining a valving chamber having an inlet port communicating with said chamber and at least one outlet port communicating with said chamber;
- (b) a valve member disposed in said chamber and moveable therein for, upon connection of a source of pressurized fluid to said inlet port, controlling fluid flow from said inlet port to said at least one outlet port;
- (c) a solenoid assembly including an armature guide attached to said valve body and an armature disposed for movement in said guide, wherein movement of said armature is operative for effecting said movement of said valve member;
- (d) a coil disposed about said armature guide and operative upon electrical energization to effect said movement of said armature;
- and,
- (e) a structure for completing a flux loop around said coil including an outer member and a first flux collector configured to form a working air gap with a first end portion of said armature, and a second flux collector forming an annular air gap with a second end portion of said armature distal said first end portion, said second flux collector having a reduced area portion such that, upon coil energization, and movement of said armature toward said first flux collector, the flux across said annular air gap is progressively reduced by said reduced area portion, thereby minimizing magnetic force increase caused by progressive reduction of said working air gap.
3 more elements
A method of making a solenoid operated valve assembly comprising:
- (a) disposing a valve member in a valve body and moving said valve member and controlling flow from an inlet to at least one outlet;
- (b) disposing an armature in a valve guide and operatively connecting said armature for effecting said valve member moving;
- (c) disposing a coil over said armature and armature guide and completing a flux loop about said coil with an outer member and a first flux collector and forming a working air gap between said armature and the first flux collector and disposing a second flux collector spaced from said first flux collector and forming an annular air gap between said armature and said second flux collector;
- (d) forming a reduced area portion on said second flux collector and upon energization of said coil progressively reducing the flux across said second air gap and minimizing the increase in magnetic force as said working air gap is reduced.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.