Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a solenoid is provided that is energizable by an electric current and includes: a pole piece, which is configured from a magnetizable pole material; an armature, which is movable when an electric current is passed through the solenoid; and an electromagnetic coil. A current passes through the coil when the solenoid is energized; the coil includes a central opening, wherein the pole piece is at least partially located. The diameter of the central opening may be less in a mid region than at upper and lower ends of the coil. At least one of either the upper or lower inside ends of the central opening of the coil may be beveled or contoured with a radius. The magnetic flux generated when the coil is energized has an enhanced flow path reducing the saturation in the transitional area at the upper and lower inside ends of the central opening as compared to a standard coil.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a valve apparatus is provided to proportionally control fluid flow. The valve apparatus includes a housing having a valve body with an inlet port having a valve seat and an outlet port; a valve assembly including an armature, a movable fluid control member, and at least one spring biasing the valve assembly into a closed position, a diaphragm in contact with the valve seat of the inlet port when the valve is in the closed position, and a poppet plate backing the diaphragm, in contact with the fluid control member and extending beyond the valve seat on the inlet port. The valve apparatus also has a solenoid assembly including an electromagnetic coil and a pole piece, the solenoid moves the armature when energized to allow fluid to flow through the valve apparatus.

Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus for control of fluid flow that has a housing having a valve body with a first port and a second port that extend through the housing. In one embodiment the valve actuating apparatus also has a toggle valve assembly that includes an armature, at least one sealing surface connected to the armature, and a spring biasing the armature to a first position where the sealing surface closes the first port. The valve actuating apparatus further includes a solenoid assembly with an electromagnetic coil and a pole piece having a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is shorter than the second, and the first leg and the armature define an air gap when the armature is in the first position. The electromagnetic coil creates a magnetic field in the pole piece when it is electrically energized to attract the armature toward the first leg to a second position where the air gap is reduced.

Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus for providing proportional control of a fluid flow that includes a housing having a valve body with an inlet port and an outlet port. In one embodiment, the valve actuating apparatus also has a valve assembly including an armature, a movable fluid control member, and at least one spring biasing the armature into contact with the fluid control member. The valve actuating apparatus further includes a solenoid assembly having an electromagnetic coil and a pole piece. The pole piece and the armature define a gap that changes proportionally with the amount of current flowing through the electromagnetic coil. Fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port may proportionally increase or decreases as the gap increases or decreases. The valve actuating apparatus may further include a valve seat. The fluid control member may be in contact with the valve seat to inhibit fluid flow through the apparatus when the electromagnetic coil is not energized.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly including a diaphragm assembly which is conformed to the poppet and which moves therewith. The poppet is integral with or mounted to the pole piece of the solenoid. The poppet is shaped to conform to the shape of the valve seat. The valve seat has an annular groove to allow flushing of the valve in both open and closed positions.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly including a diaphragm assembly which is conformed to the poppet and which moves therewith. The poppet is integral with or mounted to the pole piece of the solenoid. The poppet is shaped to conform to the shape of the valve seat. The diaphragm is preferably elastomeric and stretchable to create a wiping motion against the valve seat when the solenoid is deactivated. The valve seat may also have an annular groove to allow flushing of the valve in both open and closed positions.

Abstract: A laminar flow control valve having a unitary housing, wherein the valve housing is coupled to a housing for an electrically powered solenoid device. The poppet is loosely secured to the valve stem by use of a magnet, which permits lateral movement between the poppet and the valve stem. In the preferred embodiment, a hemispherical poppet is mounted to the stem of the operating mechanism by a magnet which is fixedly secured to the stem, permitting lateral movement of the poppet to ensure self-alignment with the valve seat upon closing of the valve. An alternative embodiment utilizes conical surfaces of the valve seat and poppet.

Abstract: A solenoid device having an output which is substantially linearly proportional to its electrical input and which includes an axially adjustable polepiece. The polepiece carries a permanent magnet which is annularly disposed about the polepiece and which provides an efficient magnetic circuit in conjunction with the electromagnetic coil of the solenoid.

Abstract: A laminar flow control valve has a valve housing with an inlet and an outlet, an orifice plate, a poppet, an operating mechanism such as an electrically powered proportional solenoid, and a mechanism for realigning the poppet and orifice plate to maintain selected surfaces of those components in substantially parallel relation. The gaseous flow is throttled between respective parallel surfaces of the orifice plate and poppet such that the volumetric flow rate is linearly proportional to the pressure differential across the parallel surfaces. The poppet is mounted to a stem of the operating mechanism so as to be free to move in more than one plane relative to the orifice plate. In the embodiment illustrated, the poppet is free to swivel so that the metering surfaces "self-align" each time the valves close. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a flat orifice plate and poppet. The poppet is attached to a stem of the operating mechanism by mechanical means.

Abstract: A multiple component solenoid valve having a valve part, solenoid part and cap part. The solenoid part which actuates the valve part is reversible relative to the valve part so as to allow the valve to be either of a normally-open type or a normally closed-typed.

Abstract: A solenoid device is provided having a permanent magnet mounted directly on the polepiece at the core gap to provide an initial magnetic flux through the polepiece and to focus the induced magnetic flux additionally supplied upon actuation of the solenoid. The magnetic flux through the polepiece continues across the core gap and into an armature which is supported by linear rate springs and spaced from the housing by side gaps. A coil device is mounted about the polepiece to provide induced magnetic flux in response to the applied electrical current input. The polepiece is adjustable within the housing to establish various core gap distances. The side and core gap dimensions within the magnetic flux circuit are proportioned relative to each other to maintain constant magnetic permeance about the circuit during solenoid actuation.

Abstract: A pressure regulating transducer for providing a regulated output pressure in response to an electric input signal in which a proportional solenoid operates a valve, and the output pressure from the valve operates against the force generated by the solenoid to establish the position of a valve element for a regulated fluid output pressure. The position of the valve element will vary in response to flow changes, absolute pressure changes, and changes in the inlet or outlet pressures caused by leaks or restrictions, to maintain the designated outlet pressure for the input signal provided. Thus, a predetermined outlet pressure is maintained for each current input value, regardless of flow and/or absolute pressure changes.

Abstract: A rectilinear motion proportional solenoid which exhibits linear output motion that is linearly proportional to the applied electrical current input. The solenoid has an adjustment mechanism which is external to the working components of the solenoid for adjusting the gain or rate of displacement of the solenoid after final assembly or while the solenoid is operating without degrading the linearity characteristics, thus allowing dynamic calibration of an operating system.