Abstract: A solenoid operated control valve (10) including a housing (16) that defines an internal chamber (34) therein, where an electromagnetic coil (44) is coaxially mounted within the internal chamber (34). A tubular shaped movable armature (60) is positioned within the internal chamber (34). An armature spring (72) biases the armature (60) to a first position within the internal chamber (34) when the coil (44) is not energized, and the armature (60) moves to a second position against the bias of the spring (72) when the coil (44) is energized. The armature (60) contacts a first armature stop (76) when it is in the first position and contacts a second armature stop (92) when it is in the second position. Both the first and second armature stops (76, 92) include radially extended protrusions (100) in order to minimize hydraulic tension.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated valve for regulating the fluid pressure at a control port by cyclically connecting the control port alternately to a fluid pressure supply source and to a sump includes a sleeve-like valve member slidably mounted on a fixed valve member for movement between two positions in response to energization or deenergization of the solenoid coil. The valve sleeve is the armature of the solenoid and operates within an internal chamber in the valve housing with pressure within the chamber being at least substantially balanced against its opposite ends. Energization and deenergization of the solenoid coil may be controlled by an electronic processor which supplies a pulse width modulated electric control signal variable in response to processor inputs to establish a control port pressure which is accurately linearly related to the time duration of the pulse width modulated signal.