Refrigerant expansion valve having electrically operated inlet shutoff with improved armature dampening
AssigneeParker-Hannifin Corporation
InventorsWilliam L. Breyer, Patrick A. Bloedel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combination refrigerant expansion valve adapted for operation by a thermally responsive element, and a solenoid actuated, preferably pilot operated inlet shutoff valve. The solenoid has a resilient elastomeric stop-ring for cushioning deceleration and limiting travel of the armature to prevent closing of the working air gap between the armature and a pole piece. The armature also has a cross port therethrough to alleviate flow-induced pressure decrease on the distal end of the armature from causing the armature to stick in the actuated position when the coil is de-energized.
Claims12
In combination a refrigerant expansion valve with an integral electrically operated inlet shut-off valve comprising:
- (a) a valve body having an inlet, adapted for connection to a source of pressurized liquid refrigerant, an outlet and an expansion valve member moveably disposed with body for controlling flow to the outlet;
- (b) an actuating member disposed in said valve body, adapted for connection to a thermally responsive actuator, and operative for effecting movement of the expansion valve member;
- (c) a shut-off valve seat disposed in the flow path between the inlet and the expansion valve member including a shut-off valve member moveable with respect thereto between a first position permitting a flow to the expansion valve member and a second position blocking flow to the expansion valve member;
- and,
- (d) a solenoid actuator attached to the valve body and having an armature moveable in a fluid pressure sealed armature guide and operable for, upon energization, effecting movement of the shutoff valve member between said first and second positions said armature having a cross port therein for alleviating any reduced fluid pressure, formed on an end of said armature remote from the shut-off valve seat, and acting between the armature and armature guide.
A method of making a refrigerant expansion valve with an integral electrically operated inlet shutoff valve comprising:
- (a) providing a valve body having an inlet and outlet and forming a flow path therebetween and disposing a moveable expansion valve member in the flow path between the inlet and outlet;
- (b) disposing an operating member in contact with the expansion valve member and adapting the operating member for attachment of a thermal actuator;
- (c) disposing a shutoff valve seat in the flow path between the inlet and the expansion valve member and disposing a shutoff valve member on the shutoff valve seat;
- (d) disposing a solenoid with a moveable armature in a pressure seated guide on the valve body and contacting the shutoff valve member with the armature for effecting movement of the shutoff valve member upon energization of the solenoid;
- (e) forming a cross port in the armature for alleviating any reduced fluid pressure formed on an end of said armature remote from the shut-off valve seat, and acting between the armature and the guide;
- and,
- (f) forming a working air gap between the armature and the guide and disposing a resilient toroidal limit-stop in the guide and limiting closing of the air gap in order to prevent noise and armature sticking.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.