Abstract: A proportional solenoid operated pressure reducing control valve includes an elongate cylindrical housing having an axial throughbore between an outer end and an inner end defining an interior chamber. The inner end is receivable in a solenoid, in use. A plurality of axially spaced side port openings proximate the outer end define a cylinder port and a pressure port. A tank opening proximate the outer end defines a tank port. A valve member comprises a cylindrical body movable in the chamber at the outer end for selectively controlling fluid flow through the interior chamber between the tank port and the cylinder port in a neutral position, or modulating the cylinder port between the pressure port and the tank port in a regulated position. The valve member includes an axially extending throughbore. Dividing means in the valve member separate the valve member throughbore to define an outer chamber and a control chamber.

Abstract: A lower cost valve results from the use of a single machined part for a valve housing. The housing is made of a non-magnetic material which can be less expensive and eliminates the requirement for screens or filters in automotive applications. Providing a one-piece plunger and pilot valve with a high guiding length minimizes tilting of the pilot. Further, the one-piece housing allows for one common bore for guiding the plunger with the pilot and a poppet. The two ideal concentric surfaces make the poppet outer diameter concentric to the pilot hole. Finally, the use of an adjustable stroke valve eliminates the need for a separate needle valve, providing further cost savings.

Abstract: A modular solenoid valve has a housing including a valve seat having a valve chamber connecting an inlet port and an outlet port. A poppet is movable in the chamber between a valve open position and a valve closed position. An elongate movable pilot valve is partially received in a pilot valve chamber in the poppet for controlling the position of the poppet, the pilot valve including first and second axially spaced, radially extending throughbores. A reciprocally movable solenoid plunger is operably associated with the pilot valve for positioning the pilot valve. A pin is inserted through either the first bore to connect the pilot valve to the plunger in a normally closed valve configuration or the second bore to connect the pilot valve to the poppet in a normally open valve configuration. A solenoid coil controls the position of the plunger to move the pilot valve to an actuated position.

Abstract: A lower cost valve results from the use of a single machined part for a valve housing. The housing is made of a non-magnetic material which can be less expensive and eliminates the requirement for screens or filters in automotive applications. A threadable connection connects a tube stop to the valve housing eliminating the requirement of braising in manufacturing. Finally, a one-piece plunger and pilot valve with a high guiding length minimizes tilting of the pilot. The one-piece housing allows for one common bore for guiding the plunger with the pilot and the poppet. The two ideal concentric surfaces make the poppet outer diameter concentric to the pilot hole.

Abstract: A low cost valve results from the use of a single machined part for a valve housing. The housing is made of a non-magnetic material which can be less expensive and eliminates the requirement for screens or filters in automotive applications. A tube stop is threadably connected to the valve housing eliminating the requirement of brazing in manufacturing. Finally, a biasing spring acting on a plunger pin eliminates the requirement for providing a counterbore in the plunger for maintaining the plunger and thus a valve member in the normal or unactuated position.

Abstract: A three position solenoid operated spool type cartridge valve includes a pair of solenoids acting on a valve assembly. The valve assembly comprises a valve sleeve having a valve chamber with a plurality of ports and an outlet. A valve spool is slidably mounted in the valve chamber for controlling flow between the ports. The two solenoid coils are removably mounted in concentrically surrounding relationship to a tube assembly. The tube assembly includes a tube end portion with a convave outer end bore. A sleeve is welded to the tube end portion at the outer end. A plunger armature is slidably received in the sleeve between the tube end portion and a tube stop adapter having a concave inner end. The tube stop adapter includes a central axial bore connected to the concave inner end with the bore being enlarged at an outer end. A rod extends through the tube stop adapter bore and includes one end secured to the armature and the other end being secured to the valve spool.

Abstract: A bidirectional cartridge valve comprises a generally cylindrical valve housing including an end port and a side port each opening into an axial, cylindrical bore defining a valve chamber. A flow control element is movable in the valve chamber between a valve open position to open a flow path between the two ports and a valve closed position to block the flow path between the two ports. The flow control element includes a first passage provided with a first check valve connecting the end port with the valve chamber and a second passage with a second check valve connecting the side port with the valve chamber. A cylindrical pilot seat in the chamber includes a partial, axial bore defining a pilot chamber and an opening through the seat connecting the valve chamber with the pilot chamber. A third passage is provided through the valve housing, provided with a third check valve, connecting the pilot chamber to the side port.

Abstract: A solenoid coil assembly for a solenoid valve includes an electrical coil wound about a valve armature to develop a magnetic field for actuating the armature responsive to an electrical current passing through the coil. A case surrounds the coil. The case has opposite end walls and a top wall, a bottom wall and opposite side walls connected between the end walls. A pair of electrical connectors are connected to opposite ends of the coil and extend outwardly from the top wall. A metal yoke has opposite end walls connected by a top wall and a bottom wall. The yoke is received on the case with their respective end walls, top walls and bottom walls in alignment.

Abstract: A fluid flow control proportional valve having structure for providing mounting therein of any one of a plurality of different solenoid coils having different electromechanical characteristics for providing desired positioning of the movable valve thereof. The solenoid armature is slidably mounted within the solenoid tube by structure providing extremely low friction so as to provide improved accuracy in correspondence between the current flow through the solenoid coil and resulting positioning of the spool assembly of the valve. The structure for mounting the armature in the solenoid tube further defines a seal between the armature and solenoid tube.

Abstract: A fluid flow control proportional valve having structure for providing mounting therein of any one of a plurality of different solenoid coils having different electrochemical characteristics for providing desired positioning of the movable valve thereof. The solenoid armature is slidably mounted within the solenoid tube by structure providing extremely low friction so as to provide improved accuracy in correspondence between the current flow through the solenoid cell and resulting positioning of the spool assembly of the valve. The structure for mounting the armature in the solenoid tube further defines a seal between the armature and the solenoid tube. Pressure compensation structure is associated with the movable valve member for converting a portion of the instantaneous positive pressure differential acting across the valve between the inlet and outlet ports to urge the valve member to the closed position as a result of an increase in the pressure differential acting across the valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic solenoid valve having a self-contained spool positioning spring and washer solenoid tube assembly. The valve body is provided with a novel arrangement of ports providing for minimized pressure differential between the opposite ends of the valve chamber so as to facilitate positioning of the spool and permit utilization of a light biasing spring and high force solenoids. The port configuration permits minimizing the overall height of the valve body while yet providing for a relatively large cross section tank port, providing the desirable low pressure differential between the opposite ends of the valve chamber. The biasing assemblies further provide for reduced effect of the pressure differential on the spool valve end shafts, thereby further facilitating repositioning of the spool in the neutral position by the biasing springs.

Abstract: A valve structure (10) wherein a main valve (11) is controlled by a pilot valve (15) which is normally selectively positioned by the coaction of a solenoid coil (17) and plunger (16). A manual override structure (22) is provided for selectively permitting normal control of the pilot valve by the solenoid, or causing a fast repositioning of the plunger against the action of the normal biasing spring 50 thereof.

Abstract: A cartridge solenoid poppet valve (10) arranged to use a single size pilot valve (31) with any one of a set of a plurality of different size sets of valve seat members (14) and poppet valves (24). Pilot guides (175) are provided having different transverse extents to accommodate such different size valve members. The valve further includes a flatted pilot guide (32) defining flow passages communicated between a transfer chamber (35) and a pilot valve chamber (30) in which the pilot valve (31) is disposed. A T-slot (58) is provided in the solenoid plunger (38) extending fully diametrically thereacross and the pilot valve includes a T-shaped connecting head (71) received therein. The plunger (38) and plug (41) define cooperating stop surfaces (67,70) for maintaining a small spacing between the plunger and plug at all times. Solenoid structure (53) includes a parallelepiped frame (46) defining a space with the solenoid coil (44) received therein.

Abstract: A cartridge solenoid poppet valve (10) arranged to use a single size pilot valve (31) with any one of a set of a plurality of different size sets of valve seat members (14) and poppet valves (24). Pilot guides (175) are provided having different transverse extents to accommodate such different size valve members. The valve further includes a flatted pilot guide (32) defining flow passages communicated between a transfer chamber (35) and a pilot valve chamber (30) in which the pilot valve (31) is disposed. A T-slot (58) is provided in the solenoid plunger (38) extending fully diametrically thereacross and the pilot valve includes a T-shaped connecting head (71) received therein. The plunger (38) and plug (41) define cooperating stop surfaces (67,70) for maintaining a small spacing between the plunger and plug at all times.

Abstract: A retaining ring locking device for preventing longitudinal relative movement of a shaft within a bore utilizes a flat or wire retaining ring. A groove is machined on the shaft as well as the bore and an access window is provided on either the shaft or the device containing the bore. The access window extends longitudinally from and beside the ring receiving groove formed by the alignment of the shaft and bore grooves to the exterior of the device and serves as the access point for threadable insertion of the retaining ring. The encapsulated design provides greater strength and eliminates the need for two separate retaining rings to prevent relative movement in two directions.

Abstract: An expandable cushion plunger for use with a fluid pressure driven piston and cylinder device includes a cushion sleeve mounted on a piston rod in floating relation thereto, and having a skirt, the interior of which is exposed to the cushioning fluid within the cylinder. As the piston nears the end of its stroke, the sleeve begins to enter a fluid exit port, trapping fluid between the piston and the cylinder head, which will slow and cushion the piston travel as it approaches the cylinder head. As the sleeve continues to enter the fluid exit port, the pressure of the trapped fluid increases due to the smaller size of the annular orifice between the sleeve and the port as compared with the port size. The cushion sleeve may expand under influence of increased pressure, further restricting the flow of pressurized fluid through the annular orifice to provide smooth deceleration of the piston as it reaches the end of its stroke and comes to rest against the cylinder head without undesirable impact.