Dual solenoid latching actuator and method of using same

A valve comprising:

• a valve body;
• a first solenoid coil and a second solenoid coil being attached to said valve body;
• an armature being movable between a first position adjacent said first solenoid coil and a second position adjacent said second solenoid coil;
• an electrical circuit being electrically connected to said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil;
• said electrical circuit including at least one current restrictor that is positioned and arranged such that current flowing in a first direction can energize only one of said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil and current flowing in a second direction can energize only an other of said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil;
• said armature being moved from said second position to said first position when said first solenoid coil is energized to generate a magnetic flux sufficient to overcome a residual magnetic flux holding said armature in said second position;
• and
• said armature being moved from said first position to said second position when said second solenoid coil is energized to generate a magnetic flux sufficient to overcome a residual magnetic flux holding said armature in said first position.

A valve comprising:

• a valve body;
• a first solenoid coil and a second solenoid coil being attached to said valve body;
• an armature being movable between said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil;
• an electrical circuit being electrically connected to said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil;
• said electrical circuit including at least one current restrictor that is positioned and arranged such that current flowing in a first direction can energize only one of said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil and current flowing in a second direction can energize only an other of said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil;
• said armature being moved to a first position adjacent said first solenoid coil when said first solenoid coil is energized;
• said armature being moved to a second position adjacent said second solenoid coil when said second solenoid coil is energized;
• a valve member is operably coupled to said armature;
• said electrical circuit includes a solitary first communication line operably connecting a first terminal to said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil;
• a solitary second communication line operably connecting a second terminal to said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil;
• said at least one current restrictor includes a first diode positioned between said first solenoid coil and said first terminal;
• a second diode positioned between said second solenoid coil and said second terminal;
• said first diode and said second diode being oriented in opposite directions;
• said valve body defines a first fluid passage, a second fluid passage and a third fluid passage;
• said third fluid passage is open to said first fluid passage when said valve member is in a retracted position;
• and
• said third fluid passage is open to said second fluid passage when said valve member is in an advanced position;
• said first fluid passage is a high pressure passage fluidly connected to a high pressure source;
• said second fluid passage is a low pressure passage fluidly connected to a low pressure reservoir;
• and
• said third fluid passage is an actuation fluid passage.

A method of controlling a valve comprising:

• providing a valve assembly including a first solenoid coil, a second solenoid coil and a valve member operably coupled to an armature;
• electrically connecting said first solenoid coil and said second solenoid coil to an electrical circuit;
• moving said valve member from a second position to a first position, at least in part by energizing said first solenoid coil and preventing energization of said second solenoid coil such that magnetic flux generated by the energized coil overcomes a residual magnetic flux holding the armature adjacent the unenergized coil;
• and
• moving said valve member from said first position to said second position, at least in part by energizing said second solenoid coil and preventing energization of said first solenoid coil such that magnetic flux generated by the energized coil overcomes a residual magnetic flux holding the armature adjacent the unenergized coil.