Abstract: A solenoid-controlled valve of the present invention is provided with a valve housing having first, second and third ports, first and second movable members housed in the valve housing to freely move along its longitudinal axis and is made of magnetic material, and a magnetic circuit for magnetically attracting the first and second movable members independently in order to move them in the direction of the axis. The magnetic circuit includes a solenoid, a magnetic flux by-pass for by passing the second movable member, and a magnetic resistance attached to that portion of the magnetic circuit which is by-passed by the magnetic flux by-pass. The solenoid-controlled valve further has first and second valve members, which are actuated by the movement of the first and second movable members in the direction of the axis to independently open and close the first and second ports.

Abstract: A three-port solenoid-operated valve has a fluid passage defined in a solenoid, a first port at an inlet end of the fluid passage, and second and third ports at an outlet end of the fluid passage. A cylindrical plunger is movably disposed in the fluid passage, and a slider is slidably supported in the plunger. A first-port valve body is normally urged by a first spring to be held against an end surface of the slider for opening the first port when the solenoid is de-energized. A third-port valve body is normally urged by a second spring for closing the third port when the solenoid is de-energized and is energized by a lower current. A pusher is fixedly mounted in the plunger for pushing the third-port valve body in a direction to open the third port in response to movement of the plunger when the solenoid is energized by a higher current. A third spring acts between the pusher and the opposite end surface of the slider for normally urging the pusher and the slider apart from each other.