Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve and valve assembly. The valve may be made from a fluid tube that has a magnetizable plunger or armature movably positioned in the body. A coil of wire is directly wound to the fluid tube, thereby reducing the air gap between magnetic flux path and plunger to increase the magnetic force imparted to the plunger. Winding the coil to the valve body removes the need for a separate sleeve or bobbin, and additionally allows for tighter spacing and reduced air gap, thereby increasing magnetic flux by allowing more coil turns and closer coil spacing to the plunger. In one form, the valve is packaged into a narrow (for example, 15 millimeters wide) configuration for close valve-to-valve stackable centers, thereby allowing multiple valves to be placed side-by-side for adhesive or related fluid dispensing applications.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus, such as a solenoid assembly 10, and a method for making the solenoid assembly are disclosed. Various construction details which improve the integrity of the solenoid assembly against the leakage of fluids are disclosed. In one embodiment, the solenoid assembly has a first wall, such as a flange 14, which is substantially fused about the wall to a second wall, such as an encapsulating casing 18.