Abstract: Solenoid flow control valve having a valve body with a chamber defined therein and first and second flow ports; a seat member located within the chamber and defining a mouth of the first flow port; a plunger longitudinally positionable between a first plunger position in sealing engagement with the seat member and a second plunger position spaced from the seat member; a selectively-operable electromagnetic having a core spool member with the second flow port extending therethrough; two disk springs radially extending from the plunger to the valve body; and a pole piece having a base portion affixed to the valve body and a flux receiving portion positioned between the two disk springs and radially extending toward the plunger, such that selective operation of the electromagnet moves the plunger toward the core spool member to the second plunger position to form a magnetic circuit through the plunger, the pole piece, the valve body and core spool member.

Abstract: A latching solenoid is provided which has first and second coils having a central axial opening arranged to produce oppositely polarized first and second magnetic fields along the axial opening. A paramagnetic path is provided from the central opening around the outside of the coils and back to the central opening, with this path having a first gap within the central opening. A plunger is spring biased within this central opening to close the first gap upon activation of the first coil in opposition to the spring.