Abstract: A fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) and methods of operation are provided. The FTIV includes first and second solenoid valves with the movable valve member of one of the solenoid valves seating against a movable valve member of the other one of the solenoid valves. One of the solenoid valves may be refueling valve allowing for evacuation of fuel vapor during refueling operations as well as to allow for purging high vapor pressure within the fuel tank. One of the solenoid valves may be a proportional valve used to control the flow of fuel vapor to an intake manifold of an operating internal combustion engine as well as to reduce a vacuum generated within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A locking system and a method for using the same are provided. The locking system including a solenoid actuated locking mechanism. The locking mechanism having an armature coupled to a first end of a bell crank and a locking pin coupled to a second end of the bell crank. The activation of the solenoid linearly drives the armature in a first direction along a first axis and the locking pin in a first direction along a second axis where the first axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis.

Abstract: A fuel tank isolation valve (FTIV) and methods of operation are provided. The FTIV includes first and second solenoid valves with the movable valve member of one of the solenoid valves seating against a movable valve member of the other one of the solenoid valves. One of the solenoid valves may be refueling valve allowing for evacuation of fuel vapor during refueling operations as well as to allow for purging high vapor pressure within the fuel tank. One of the solenoid valves may be a proportional valve used to control the flow of fuel vapor to an intake manifold of an operating internal combustion engine as well as to reduce a vacuum generated within the fuel tank.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator with firing pin position detection is provided. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid assembly having movable armature. The solenoid assembly is mounted to a firing pin housing which houses a firing pin. The firing pin is arranged such that the movable armature acts upon the firing pin to transition it from an unfired position to a fired position. The solenoid actuator also includes a firing pin position switch is mounted within a bore that is transverse to a bore of the firing pin housing containing the firing pin. The firing pin includes cam surface that acts upon the firing pin position switch to ultimately provide an indication of whether the firing pin is in the fired or the unfired position.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator includes a housing, a solenoid coil carried within the housing. An armature is carried within the housing and acted upon by the solenoid coil. A torque transfer arrangement of the solenoid actuator is configured to produce a rotational torque output upon an actuation of the armature. A firing pin is in contact with the torque transfer arrangement such that the rotational torque output produced by the torque transfer arrangement linearly transitions the firing pin from an unfired position to a fired position.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator includes a housing, a solenoid coil carried within the housing. An armature is carried within the housing and acted upon by the solenoid coil. A torque transfer arrangement of the solenoid actuator is configured to produce a rotational torque output upon an actuation of the armature. A firing pin is in contact with the torque transfer arrangement such that the rotational torque output produced by the torque transfer arrangement linearly transitions the firing pin from an unfired position to a fired position.

Abstract: An event monitoring solenoid, system, and method are provided. Such a solenoid includes a housing with a coil acting upon an armature of the solenoid. The solenoid also includes an event monitoring module situated locally within the solenoid. The event monitoring module is operable to monitor one or more operational states of the solenoid. The event monitoring module is also operable to wirelessly transmit information relating to these one or more operational states to a remote user application. A system constructed in accordance with this invention includes the solenoid, a device connected to the solenoid, and the remote user application.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve constructed in accordance with the teachings herein utilizes multiple solenoids which each actuate their own respective valve member. There is a one-to-one relationship of valve members to solenoids. This same one-to-one relationship exists between the valve members and a plurality of passages arranged along a flow path through the valve. Each solenoid is operable to independently move its associated valve member from a closed position, where the valve member is seated against a partition wall defining the passage to entirely prevent fluid flow through its associated passage (or only allow for a controlled leakage flow), and an open position, where the valve member allows fluid flow through its associated passage.

Abstract: A locking system and a method for using the same are provided. The locking system including a solenoid actuated locking mechanism. The locking mechanism having an armature coupled to a first end of a bell crank and a locking pin coupled to a second end of the bell crank. The activation of the solenoid linearly drives the armature in a first direction along a first axis and the locking pin in a first direction along a second axis where the first axis is generally perpendicular to the second axis.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator with firing pin position detection is provided. The solenoid actuator includes a solenoid assembly having movable armature. The solenoid assembly is mounted to a firing pin housing which houses a firing pin. The firing pin is arranged such that the movable armature acts upon the firing pin to transition it from an unfired position to a fired position. The solenoid actuator also includes a firing pin position switch is mounted within a bore that is transverse to a bore of the firing pin housing containing the firing pin. The firing pin includes cam surface that acts upon the firing pin position switch to ultimately provide an indication of whether the firing pin is in the fired or the unfired position.

Abstract: Embodiments of a solenoid valve are provided. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid portion with a detection device, a valve body, an armature assembly, and a detection plate. The armature assembly has a first end extending through the solenoid portion and a second end extending into the valve body. The detection plate is configured to interact with the detection device to produce a signal indicating whether the solenoid portion is installed on the valve body. The solenoid portion is disposed between the valve body and the detection plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of a solenoid valve are provided. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid portion having a housing. The housing has a first bore and a second bore with the first bore adapted to receive a first end of an armature assembly and the first bore being surrounded by a magnetic coil. The solenoid valve also includes a valve body. The valve body is adapted to receive a second end of the armature assembly. The solenoid valve further includes a detection device located in the second bore and a detection plate interposed between the solenoid portion and the valve body. The detection device interacts with the detection plate to produce a signal indicating whether the solenoid portion is installed on the valve body.

Abstract: Embodiments of a solenoid valve are provided. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid portion with a detection device, a valve body, an armature assembly, and a detection plate. The armature assembly has a first end extending through the solenoid portion and a second end extending into the valve body. The detection plate is configured to interact with the detection device to produce a signal indicating whether the solenoid portion is installed on the valve body. The solenoid portion is disposed between the valve body and the detection plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of a solenoid valve are provided. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid portion having a housing. The housing has a first bore and a second bore with the first bore adapted to receive a first end of an armature assembly and the first bore being surrounded by a magnetic coil. The solenoid valve also includes a valve body. The valve body is adapted to receive a second end of the armature assembly. The solenoid valve further includes a detection device located in the second bore and a detection plate interposed between the solenoid portion and the valve body. The detection device interacts with the detection plate to produce a signal indicating whether the solenoid portion is installed on the valve body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mechanism for detecting that a valve coupled to a pressurized container is fully installed into a nose piece of an actuator for actuating the valve.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mechanism for detecting that a valve coupled to a pressurized container is fully installed into a nose piece of an actuator for actuating the valve.

Abstract: A diesel engine fluid reservoir system having a reservoir of diesel exhaust fluid in thermal communication with a heating element, a first conduit for the flow of engine coolant fluid to the heating element, a temperature sensor disposed to sense ambient temperature and/or a temperature of the diesel exhaust fluid, a controller communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and communicatively coupled to a sprung gate valve included in the first conduit. The gate valve has a no-flow position and a flow position for control of the flow of engine coolant and includes an endless elastic band sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member each defining an opening therethrough alignable with the first conduit in the flow position. In response to a sensed temperature at which the diesel exhaust fluid is frozen, the controller signals the gate valve to be in the flow position.

Abstract: A valve controller is provided. The valve controller includes an armature formed by a moving armature and an armature pin. The moving armature movable from a latched position in which it is decoupled from the armature pin and in contact with a core, to an unlatched position where it is decoupled from the core and in contact with the armature pin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mechanism for detecting that a valve coupled to a pressurized container is fully installed into a nose piece of a pneumatic actuator coupled to a fire suppression system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mechanism for detecting that a valve coupled to a pressurized container is fully installed into a nose piece of a latching solenoid actuator coupled to a fire suppression system.