Abstract: A pintle-type valve having a valve body enclosing a chamber. A first port including a valve seat is formed in a first wall of the body. A bore formed in a second wall of the body receives a pintle bushing. The outer diameter of the bushing is less than the diameter of the bore such that the bushing has radial freedom of motion. A valve stem is disposed in a bore in the bushing. The bushing is radially centered by resilient elements within the body bore, preferably annular metal springs. The bushing includes a flange extending along an outer surface of the valve body for forming a seal at the outer bushing end. At the opposite end of the bushing, a retainer comprising a wave washer exerts compressive force to seal the flange against the body while permitting the bushing to float radially in response to radial forces.

Abstract: A solenoid armature having a central bore therethrough for receiving an end of a shaft passing through the armature. The shaft is shouldered to engage the armature at the entrance side of the bore. Preferably, a formed stop is provided on the shaft to transfer load between th6 shaft and the armature. At the exit side, the shaft is surrounded by a axially-compressible resilient element, preferably a wave washer retained by a retaining washer and a retaining clip attached to the shaft. A retaining groove is provided in the shaft such that the wave washer must be compressed during assembly to install the clip on the shaft. The apparatus is especially useful in an exhaust gas recirculation valve for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Means for attenuating the seating force of a cam-actuated poppet valve such as an exhaust gas recirculation valve in an internal combustion engine including a shock-absorber disposed between the valve stem and valve head. In a currently preferred embodiment, the shock-absorber is a wave washer disposed around the valve stem and captured between the valve stem and the valve head, between which axial motion is allowed. After the valve head engages the valve seat to close the valve, any further travel of the actuator cam and valve stem is absorbed by compression of the wave washer, thus attenuating additional force on elements of the valve actuation train. In opening the valve, the reverse occurs, in that initial motion of the actuator cam and valve stem serves to relieve compression of the wave washer, followed by removal of the valve head from the valve seat.