Abstract: A proportional solenoid-driven valve control assembly contains a moveable, magnetic armature positioned adjacent to one end of a fixed pole piece that protrudes from a solenoid bore and is supported by means of a pair of flat suspension springs adjacent to the one end of the bore. The movable armature is configured to provide two generally cylindrical radial magnetic flux paths. One flux path traverses a radial gap at one end of fixed magnetic pole piece that protrudes from the one end of the solenoid bore. The other flux path traverses a generally cylindrical gap between a rim portion of the armature and an inwardly projecting magnetic element of the solenoid housing. The two radially separate cylindrical gaps function as coaxial guide air-bushings for the moveable magnetic armature that prevent off-axis play between the moveable armature and the pole piece and the inwardly projecting magnetic element.

Abstract: A proportional solenoid-driven valve control assembly contains a moveable, magnetic armature positioned adjacent to one end of a fixed magnetic pole piece. The magnetic pole piece has a longitudinal axial pole piece portion, and a relatively thin, annular axial pole piece portion, that rapidly saturates, and is effectively mechanically solid with the longitudinal pole piece portion for fluid leakage containment. A radial portion is solid with the annular axial portion and provides support and alignment for the armature relative to the magnetic pole piece, without the need for non-magnetic material for alignment, support or magnetic flux flow path control.

Abstract: A proportional solenoid-driven valve control assembly contains a moveable, magnetic armature positioned adjacent to one end of a fixed magnetic pole piece. The magnetic pole piece has a longitudinal axial pole piece portion, and a relatively thin, annular axial pole piece portion, that rapidly saturates, and is effectively mechanically solid with the longitudinal pole piece portion for fluid leakage containment. A radial portion is solid with the annular axial portion and provides support and alignment for the armature relative to the magnetic pole piece, without the need for non-magnetic material for alignment, support or magnetic flux flow path control.

Abstract: A proportional solenoid-driven valve control assembly contains a moveable, magnetic armature positioned adjacent to one end of a fixed pole piece that protrudes from a solenoid bore and is supported by means of a pair of flat suspension springs adjacent to the one end of the bore. The movable armature is configured to provide two generally cylindrical radial magnetic flux paths. One flux path traverses a radial gap at one end of fixed magnetic pole piece that protrudes from the one end of the solenoid bore. The other flux path traverses a generally cylindrical gap between a rim portion of the armature and an inwardly projecting magnetic element of the solenoid housing. The two radially separate cylindrical gaps function as coaxial guide air-bushings for the moveable magnetic armature that prevent off-axis play between the moveable armature and the pole piece and the inwardly projecting magnetic element.

Abstract: A proportional solenoid-driven valve control assembly contains a moveable, magnetic armature positioned adjacent to one end of a fixed pole piece that protrudes from a solenoid bore and is supported by means of a pair of flat suspension springs adjacent to the one end of the bore. The movable armature is configured to provide two generally cylindrical radial magnetic flux paths. One flux path traverses a radial gap at one end of fixed magnetic pole piece that protrudes from the one end of the solenoid bore. The other flux path traverses a generally cylindrical gap between a rim portion of the armature and an inwardly projecting magnetic element of the solenoid housing. The two radially separate cylindrical gaps function as coaxial guide air-bushings for the moveable magnetic armature that prevent off-axis play between the moveable armature and the pole piece and the inwardly projecting magnetic element.

Abstract: A proportional solenoid-driven valve control assembly contains a moveable, magnetic armature positioned adjacent to one end of a fixed pole piece that protrudes from a solenoid bore and is supported by means of a pair of flat suspension springs adjacent to the one end of the bore. The movable armature is configured to provide two generally cylindrical radial magnetic flux paths. One flux path traverses a radial gap at one end of fixed magnetic pole piece that protrudes from the one end of the solenoid bore. The other flux path traverses a generally cylindrical gap between a rim portion of the armature and an inwardly projecting magnetic element of the solenoid housing. The two radially separate cylindrical gaps function as coaxial guide air-bushings for the moveable magnetic armature that prevent off-axis play between the moveable armature and the pole piece and the inwardly projecting magnetic element.

Abstract: A proportional solenoid-driven valve control assembly contains a moveable, magnetic armature positioned adjacent to one end of a fixed pole piece that protrudes from a solenoid bore and is supported by means of a compact suspension spring arrangement adjacent to the one end of the bore. The movable armature is configured to provide two radial magnetic flux paths. One flux path traverses a fixed radial shunt gap at one end of fixed magnetic pole piece that is located in and protrudes from the one end of the solenoid bore. The other flux path traverses a variable geometry reluctance gap defined between a radially projecting, tapered rim portion of the armature and an inwardly projecting tapered portion of the solenoid assembly housing.

Abstract: A dual pressure regulator device for a spray gun is supplied with an input fluid under pressure and outputs a first regulated pneumatic pressure to a pressurized tank, and a second regulated pneumatic pressure to the spray gun. The dual pressure regulator device has a unitary body having a fluid passageway extending from an inlet port at a first end of the body, to which inlet port the input fluid is supplied, to a first valve chamber in which a first regulator valve is installed, and to a second valve chamber in which a second regulator valve is installed. The pressure in the nozzle device's main pressure internal line and the head pressure within the tank are maintained within specified tolerances, independent of pressure fluctuations in the main supply line to the nozzle device. The body has an inclined body wall portion that is conformal with the handle, such that the valve assemblies are physically accommodated and accessible in a space directly beneath the handle, adjacent to the tank.

Abstract: A micro-valve assembly for providing precise regulation of fluid flow between an input port and an output port comprises a valve body configured to installed with the valve assembly and forming therewith a fluid flow chamber between the fluid flow rate control port and the output port, the valve body having an internally threaded cylindrical portion. A rotatable valve adjustment member has an externally threaded cylindrical portion sized to engage the internally threaded cylindrical portion of the valve body. The externally threaded cylindrical portion of the rotatable valve adjustment member has an internally threaded axial bore. The internally threaded bore of the rotatable valve adjustment member has a longitudinal axis and a pitch finer than that of the externally threaded cylindrical portion thereof.

Abstract: A pneumatic vacuum gripping assembly for attachment to a suction gripper device is coupled by way of a fluid flow link to a venturi for controlling the vacuum of the suction gripper device comprises an integrated housing assembly having a venturi and a pneumatic fluid-flow control valve unit. The valve unit controllably interrupts fluid communication between a main supply inlet port and the venturi and is controlled by the output of a pressure sensor that is integrated within the housing assembly. The assembly further includes a reset valve arranged in a compact, stack configuration with the other components of the valve unit and ported to the venturi vacuum line for controllably `blowing off` the suction gripper device from a gripped object.

Abstract: A vacuum control device is configured as an integrated assembly having a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port and a controlled vacuum output port, and houses both a venturi and solenoid-operated fluid-flow control valve unit. The valve unit has a fluid-flow chamber, in which a translatable spool valve element serves to control fluid communication between the fluid inlet port and the fluid inlet of the venturi. The output of the venturi is coupled by way of a fluid passageway to the outlet port, while a vacuum port of the venturi is coupled to a controlled vacuum output port. The valve unit contains a solenoid device, which is coupled with the translatable spool valve element, for controlling the displacement of the valve element and thereby fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet ports through the venturi. The solenoid-operated fluid-flow control valve unit preferably employs, as its movable armature, a steel bearing ball.