Solenoid-operated valve for use with fuel cells

A solenoid-operated valve for discharging a reaction gas and/or residual water from fuel cells, comprising:

• a valve housing having an inlet port for introducing the reaction gas and/or residual water and an outlet port for discharging the reaction gas and/or residual water introduced from said inlet port, said valve housing having a communication chamber defined therein between said inlet port and said outlet port;
• a valve seat disposed in said communication chamber and coupled to said valve housing;
• a solenoid housing coupled to said valve housing;
• a solenoid disposed in said solenoid housing for being energized by an electric current supplied thereto;
• a fixing member disposed in said solenoid;
• a movable member having an end facing said fixing member, wherein said movable member has a first inner hole defined axially therein and a second inner hole defined diametrically therein in communication with said first inner hole, said movable member being displaceable toward or away from said fixing member when said solenoid is energized;
• a valve head coupled to an opposite end of said movable member, wherein said valve head has a first inner hole defined axially therein in communication with said first inner hole of the movable member and a second inner hole defined diametrically therein in communication with said second inner hole of the movable member and said first inner hole of the valve head, said valve head being seatable on or away from said valve seat when said movable member is displaced;
• and
• a guide member disposed in said valve housing and said solenoid and having a guide hole, said movable member being inserted in said guide hole, said guide member having an engaging portion for limiting said valve head against displacement in a direction away from said valve seat.