Abstract: A circuit for controlling a valve assembly in applications where electrical isolation of the two control signal supply lines is required to prevent damage of control circuits caused by a reverse polarity feedback signal or other transient signal. The circuit includes a solenoid having a coil. The coil has a first end and a second end. The circuit also includes a first switching circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coil to allow current to pass therethrough in a first direction to move a permanent magnet against a pushpin a first axial direction. The circuit further includes a second switching circuit electrically connected to the first and second ends of the coil to allow a current to pass therethrough in a second direction to move the permanent magnet away from the pushpin in a second axial direction. Further, when either switching circuit is allowing current to flow through the coil, it electrically isolates one negative control source from the other.

Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder passage. A main valve bore extends axially within the valve body and a main valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the main valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port through at least one cylinder passage. A pilot valve bore is formed integrally within the valve body and extends parallel to, and spaced a short distance from, the main valve bore. A pair of short pilot cylinder ports spaced apart from one another extend between the main valve bore and the pilot valve bore. A pilot valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the pilot valve bore to selectively direct air from the pilot valve bore through alternating ones of the pilot cylinder ports to act upon the main valve member thereby moving the main valve member between predetermined positions.

Abstract: A self-latching solenoid valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port for communicating with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder port. A valve member is supported in the valve body so as to be movable between predetermined positions to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port to at least one cylinder port. A biasing member is employed to move the valve member in one direction and a solenoid assembly is used to move the valve member in an opposite direction. The solenoid assembly includes a housing with a solenoid coil supported therein and a fixed ferromagnetic pole piece having a passage extending therethrough with a pushpin movably supported in the passage. A ferromagnetic latch is also supported by the housing and spaced from the pole piece. A permanent magnet is disposed between the latch and the pole piece.

Abstract: An integrated pneumatic pressure regulator assembly including a housing having an inlet adapted for fluid communication with a supply of pneumatic pressure, an outlet adapted for fluid communication with at least one pneumatically actuated device and an exhaust port. A pilot regulator valve is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to provide a pilot pressure. A pilot operated regulator valve is also provided in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The pilot operated regulator valve is responsive to the pilot pressure to regulate the supply pressure from the inlet to a predetermined system pressure delivered through the outlet to a pneumatically actuated device during normal operation.

Abstract: A fluid flow assembly controls fluids passing through a secondary or communication line of a manifold. The manifold includes at least one output port connected in fluid communication with the secondary line. A fluid supply is connected to a fill valve controlled by an electronic feedback control. An exhaust valve is also controlled by the electronic feedback control. Together, the fill and exhaust valves regulate the pressure of the fluid flow through the secondary line and the valves associated with each of the output ports.

Abstract: A pilot signal control assembly (10) controls the pilot signal of a valve (18) which is connected to regulator, typically a booster regulator (12). The valve (18) receives air from an air supply (14) and, pursuant to an error signal (E(t)) , defined as the command signal (C(t)) less a modified feedback signal (F(t)) , modifies its output, the pilot pressure signal. The booster regulator (12) receives the pilot pressure signal and modifies its output (P.sub.o (t)) accordingly. A feedback loop (24) transforms the output pressure (P.sub.o (t)) into a voltage signal. The voltage signal is multiplied by a proportional factor (A) based on the size of the booster regulator (12). In a signal subloop (30) of the feedback loop (24), the first derivative is taken of the voltage signal. The multiplied signal and the first derivative are added to create the feedback signal (F(t)) which is eventually subtracted from the command signal (C(t)) to create the error signal (E(t)).

Abstract: A valve assembly controls a pressure sent from a valve to create a pilot signal used to control a mechanical booster regulator. An independent feedback line extends from both the output of the valve and the output of the mechanical booster regulator wherein the outputs are scaled after a transducer in each feedback line converts the information received from the pressures into voltages. The difference in the voltage is integrated and added to the input command signal which dictates the parameters of the mechanical booster regulator operation. The voltage feedback from the pilot pressure is then subtracted from the modified command signal. The feedback signals approach a negligible correction as the mechanical booster regulator approaches the designed output pressure because the integration is eliminated and the pressures cancel each other as the system approaches a static condition.

Abstract: A solenoid having a bobbin with a rectangular core hole in which is mounted an armature having a rectangular cross section, and a pole piece having a rectangular cross section. The bobbin has a magnet wire coil wound around a bobbin tubular body which is rectangular in cross section. The bobbin has an upper flange and a lower flange that encloses the ends of the coil. A tubular can is seated around the bobbin. A top flux plate is seated on the upper can surface and a bottom flux plate is seated under the lower can surface. The flux plates are secured to the bobbin flanges. A sealing, electrical insulating heat dissipating material is disposed inside of the tubular can which seals the coil and insulates the coil from the flux plates, tubular can and solenoid mounting screws.

Abstract: A direct solenoid operated poppet valve having an adjustable valve seat that provides a selectively variable flow orifice for supplying a preset air flow requirement. The poppet valve spool stroke is set in accordance with the preset air flow requirement. Then, based on the measured poppet location with respect to the solenoid pole piece, a solenoid push pin is selected that provides the minimum solenoid stroke required for the preset valve stroke and preset air flow requirement.

Abstract: A multi-purpose control system for a backup type welding gun and similar apparatuses including a positioning directional control valve for controlling the extension and retraction of the positioning or backup cylinder. A multi-pressure air sequence circuit and a time delay means operatively connected to the air sequence circuit for controlling the admission of a predetermined low pressure into the retract port of a backup type welding gun positioning cylinder to speed up the extension movement of the position piston carrying a weld cylinder, and then to control the admission of a predetermined higher retraction pressure higher retraction into said retract port, after a predetermined time delay interval.

Abstract: A three-way normally closed, pilot air valve for supplying pressurized pilot air to a directional flow control air valve. The valve includes a valve body structure having a pilot air inlet port, a cylinder port, an exhaust port, an axial bore therethrough. A first passageway connects the pressurized pilot air inlet port to the cylinder port. A second passageway connects the cylinder port with the exhaust port. A balanced captive poppet valve spool is movably mounted in the valve body structure axial bore for controlling the flow of air through the two passageways, and it has an upper and a lower, conical annular, valve member element, which alternately seat on a circular sharp edged valve seat and an angled valve seat, respectively.

Abstract: A manifold stacking base which may selectively provide an integral flow control function, with or without a pressure regulation function, for a fluid pressure valve system, without the need for a sandwich plate or an interface plate between the base and the valve in said system.

Abstract: A valve base for a fluid pressure valve system which is provided with integral exhaust flow control valve means which may be selectively mounted in an end of the valve base, or in a side of the valve base, or with an exhaust flow control valve means in an end of the valve base and another exhaust flow control valve means in a side of the valve base.

Abstract: An air pressure control system for use where a plurality of various sequential and repetitive air pressures are selectively required. A pilot air operated pressure regulator valve having a pilot air operator and a working air flow control valve are connected in series in a pressurized working air conduit between a source of pressurized air and an air cylinder. A pilot air pressure selector circuit means, for selectively and sequentially providing a plurality of pre-set pilot air pressures to the pilot air operator of the pilot air operated pressure regulator valve, includes a plurality of pressurized pilot air conduit means which are connected in parallel with each other, and with one end of each pressurized pilot air conduit means being operatively connected to the source of pressurized air and the other end thereof being operatively connected to the pilot air operator of the pilot air operated pressure regulator valve.

Abstract: A four-way, poppet valve having a plurality poppet valve elements mounted on a poppet valve spool. The poppet valve spool is movable in one direction by a return spring to a first operative position, whereby one pair of the poppet valve elements are seated on a first pair of poppet valve seats to control the flow of pressurized air through the valve from a pressurized air inlet port and out through a first cylinder port and simultaneously to exhaust air entering a second cylinder port. A solenoid means having a floating pole piece is provided for moving the valve spool to a second operative position, whereby a second pair of the poppet valve elements are seated on a second pair of poppet valve seats to reverse the flow of pressurized air through the valve. The flow of exhausting air may be controlled by a pair of flow control valves.

Abstract: A four-way directional flow control air valve having a valve spool movable to a first position. A solenoid has a pole piece seated against the valve body adjacent one end of the valve spool. An end of the valve spool is seated against the solenoid pole piece when the valve spool is in the first position. A pusher rod on the valve spool extends through a bore in the pole piece into engagement with a solenoid armature, whereby when the solenoid is energized, the armature moves the pusher rod and the valve spool from the first position to a second position a distance equal to the difference in length between the pole piece and the pusher rod. The valve spool can be moved back alternatively by a return spring or a second solenoid engageable with the other end of the valve spool in the same manner as the first solenoid moves the valve spool to the second position.

Abstract: A sliding valve spool and method of making the same for a directional, reversing flow control air valve, such as a four-way valve, a three-way valve, a two-way valve, and the like. A plurality of annular valve members and a pair of annular centering seals are integrally molded on a valve body, in a single molding operation and which function to maintain the center position of the valve spool during use of the same in a valve spool bore in an air valve, and which also provide a sealing function with said bore. The outer, equal diameter peripheries of the molded valve members and the molded annular centering seals are simultaneously ground together with an annular pressure seal groove adjacent each of the annular centering seals.

Abstract: A four-way stacking air valve with a common exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves and a pair of end plates, and with each of the valves being provided with a pair of adjustable flow control valves mounted in the valve body in separate exhaust passages connected to the common exhaust passageway. A common electrical wire passage extends through all of the valves and end plates in a stack of valves. Each of the valves has a wire tuck chamber in the valve body, on each side of the electrical wire passage. Each of the valves can be operated by one, or two solenoid operated pilot valves. The pilot air valves may employ either internal or external pilot air which is provided through common pilot air supply passageways in the valves and end plates. The pilot air is exhausted through a common pilot air exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves to exhaust ports in the end plates of the stack of valves.

Abstract: A four-way stacking air valve with a common exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves and a pair of end plates, and with each of the valves being provided with a pair of adjustable flow control valves mounted in the valve body and projected through the valve body cover, and having valve elements extended into separate exhaust passages connected to the common exhaust passageway. A common electrical wire passage extends through all of the valves and end plates in a stack of valves. Each of the valves has a wire tuck chamber in the valve body, on each side of the electrical wire passage. Each of the valves can be operated by one, or two solenoid operated pilot valves. The pilot air valves may employ either internal or external pilot air which is provided through common pilot air supply passageways in the valves and in the end plates.

Abstract: A four way, pilot air operated air valve provided with flow control valves in individual exhaust passages in the valve body of the valve. The exhaust flow control valves are mounted in the valve cover. The pair of exhaust passages are connected to a common exhaust passageway which is connected to a single exhaust port in the valve body. The four-way air valve includes a cartridge type pilot air valve. The pilot air for the pilot air valve can be supplied either internally or externally. The pilot air valve is operated by a suitable solenoid.