Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved solenoid for providing linear actuation. The outer polepiece of the solenoid is provided with a plurality of radially-dispersed labyrinthine passageways in communication between the exterior of the solenoid and an interior region including the armature and the interior of the windings. The polepiece is further provided with at least one passageway in communication between the exterior of the solenoid and an outer periphery of the windings within the housing. The two sets of passageways impede particles and droplets of moisture from entering the solenoid, while simultaneously permitting moisture such as condensation within the solenoid to evaporate and escape.

Abstract: A shield for a gas management pintle valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine, for mitigating leakage of gas and moisture along the valve pintle into the actuator, to prevent corrosion and failure of the actuator. The shield is a tubular member having an equatorial radial flange and is slidably mounted on the pintle in an annular chamber between the valve body and the actuator. The inner diameter of the tube is selected to be as close-fitting to the pintle as possible while still being slidable thereupon to be adapted to either of two operating positions. During engine shutdowns, the shield is drawn by gravity toward the valve body to form a first seal with the flange against the pintle bearing or a bearing splash shield, preventing or minimizing the escape of moist, hot gases under low pressure from the valve along the pintle.

Abstract: An improved modular, radially-compliant, redundantly-sealing journal-type bearing assembly comprising two bearing elements retained in a housing and positively loaded in opposing directions by a compression spring disposed therebetween. A shaft to be supported and sealed against leakage by the bearing, such as a valve pintle shaft, is disposed in an axial bore in each of the bearing elements, which bores are fitted as closely to the diameter of the shaft as is possible without causing the shaft to bind in the bores. Each of the radial bearing faces opposite the spring forms a seal with a corresponding internal surface of the housing, defining thereby a redundant sealing system. The bearings are radially compliant within the housing by a predetermined small distance to allow the shaft to be operatively self-centered, such as by an attached valve head mating into a valve seat.

Abstract: An expanded-range pintle valve comprising a plurality of stages. Each stage comprises a valve seat and head capable of regulating flow through the valve over its own dynamic range. The valve head of a higher-flow stage includes the valve seat for the next-lower flow stage. The heads and seats for the multiple stages are nested concentrically, the progressively lower-flow stages having progressively smaller diameters. All valve heads except the lowest-flow head have axial and radial bores permitting flow therethrough so that flow may be regulated first by actuating the lowest-flow stage, then by actuating successively higher flow stages. A single pintle shaft connected to a solenoid actuator is adapted to engage each of the valve heads sequentially as the actuator progresses, beginning with the lowest-flow head, thereby extending incrementally the dynamic range of the valve as each stage is successively engaged.

Abstract: An improved solenoid for providing linear actuation. The outer polepiece of the solenoid is provided with an axial journal bearing for supporting an actuating shaft extending from the solenoid armature. Radial tolerance between the bearing inner bore and the shaft is as small as in practically possible, which feature permits elimination of the prior art portion of the guiding sleeve extending into the outer polepiece, thereby retaining frictional losses with only the remaining sleeve portion in the inner polepiece. Small prior art air gaps at interfaces 42,44 between the polepieces and the housing are eliminated to minimize reluctance of the magnetic circuit. A significant increase in actuating force is realized in comparison with a prior art solenoid actuator.

Abstract: A novel spatial arrangement of valve ports and hold-down bolt holes in the body of an exhaust gas recirculation valve, wherein the centers of the ports are between and aligned with the centers of the bolt holes, thereby producing maximum sealing force around the ports against the surface to which the valve is bolted, such as the exhaust and intake manifolds of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A leakage arresting system comprising a novel gas arrestor for installation on an interrupted pintle shaft in a pintle-type valve, such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine, for preventing leakage of gas and moisture along the pintle shaft into the actuator, to prevent corrosion and failure of the actuator. The system comprises two elements: a pintle shaft which is interrupted outside the actuator, and a positive vapor block in the form of a cup-shaped arrestor disposed across the pintle interruption. The invention is applicable to both unbalanced and force-balanced valves.

Abstract: A valve assembly for metering exhaust gas to the intake of an internal combustion engine has an electromagnetic solenoid actuator having a magnetic circuit which includes a stationary pole piece, an armature moveable within said pole piece, and an air gap separating the pole piece and the armature. The air gap is established using a sleeve member constructed of non-magnetic material and having axially extending slots formed therein. The slots are operable to transfer air from the space above the armature to a space below the armature when the armature moves axially, relative to the pole piece.