Abstract: A pump piston assembly for use with a high-pressure pump includes a first section extending axially from a first end, a second section positioned adjacent to the first section and extending axially towards a second end, and an attenuation feature disposed within the piston bore such that the attenuation feature is part of the second end. By integrating the attenuation feature directly into the pump piston, pressure spikes, such as pressure peaks and valleys of an oscillatory pressure wave originating from the reciprocating motion of the piston, may be compensated directly in a supply pressure chamber. By providing a variety of attenuation features, such as a ball/spring assembly, an elastomer insert, an elastomer insert/internal piston assembly, and an elastomer insert/spring/ball assembly, attenuation for applications with a variety of frequencies and pressures can be utilized.

Abstract: A pump piston assembly for use with a high-pressure pump includes a first section extending axially from a first end, a second section positioned adjacent to the first section and extending axially towards a second end, and an attenuation feature disposed within the piston bore such that the attenuation feature is part of the second end. By integrating the attenuation feature directly into the pump piston, pressure spikes, such as pressure peaks and valleys of an oscillatory pressure wave originating from the reciprocating motion of the piston, may be compensated directly in a supply pressure chamber. By providing a variety of attenuation features, such as a ball/spring assembly, an elastomer insert, an elastomer insert/internal piston assembly, and an elastomer insert/spring/ball assembly, attenuation for applications with a variety of frequencies and pressures can be utilized.

Abstract: A check valve for a vehicle actuator includes a hardened valve seat insert pressed into a non-hardened housing. The insert defines a lobed valve seat against which fluid urges a valve element, with the valve element being distanced from the valve seat by a rod to open the valve when an actuating coil is deenergized. When the coil is energized the rod is moved away from the valve element, allowing fluid pressure to urge the element against the seat to close the valve. The insert can be formed with a rod guide.

Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a valve body having an axial flow path, a valve seat integrated into the valve body, a retention cup positioned within the flow path, a spring received and guided by the flow passage, and an armature connected to the spring. The spring maintains the armature positioned in the retention cup keeping the flow path open. A solenoid moves the armature from the retention cup to the valve seat blocking the flow path. The pressure control valve may be used for controlling a high-pressure single-piston pump and has the capability for controlling pressure or flow with a commanded input electrical voltage or current, while simplifying the component design and reducing the amount of components and, thus, the complexity of the assembly process. The pressure control valve may be used, for example, to manage the fuel rail pressure of a gasoline direct injection internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A control valve for a gas direct injection fuel delivery system is provided. The control valve comprises a valve body, a poppet movably received within the valve body, and an actuator disposed within the valve body. The valve body has a first fluid path, a second fluid path, and a valve seat providing fluid communication therebetween. The poppet is capable of movement between a first position and a second position. When disposed in the first position, the poppet seals the valve seat to block fluid communication between the first fluid path and the second fluid path. The poppet permits fluid communication between the first fluid path and the second fluid path as the poppet moves from the first position to the second position. The poppet is configured so that a pressure in the first fluid path produces a force that tends to move the poppet toward the second position and a pressure in the second fluid path produces a force that tends to move the poppet toward the first position.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve includes a valve body defining a valving bore for providing a path of communication between axially spaced inlet and outlet ports. A solenoid assembly is attached to the valve body and includes an inductor coil, a fixed flux guide and an armature, which is movable axially between a first position and a second position in response to electrical energization of the inductor coil. A valve member is disposed within the valving bore intermediate the inlet and outlet ports. An elongated control member interconnects the armature and the valve member for conjoined axial movement. A generally annular valve seat is disposed within the valving bore between the inlet port and valve member, the valve seat including a central through bore through which the control member extends.

Abstract: A spool valve for, e.g., a vehicle automatic transmission system include a valve body defining an exhaust port, a supply port, and a control port. A solenoid-actuated spool is disposed in the valve body and reciprocates between a closed configuration, wherein the supply port is fluidly isolated from the control port, and an open configuration, where fluid communication is established between the supply port and control port. The spool is juxtaposed with a chamber formed by a closed end of the valve body. A bleed passageway is formed in the spool from the chamber to an exit port that is juxtaposed with the exhaust port. The end piston on the spool nearest the chamber allows fluid in an intermediate configuration to communicate from the control port to the chamber, from the chamber through the bleed passageway, and out of the exhaust port to ameliorate the effect of fluctuations in fluid supplied to the valve.

Abstract: A valve has a valve body defining an exhaust port, a supply port, and a control port all aligned with each other, and a plunger assembly reciprocates in the valve body under the influence of an actuating solenoid. Plural balls are disposed in alignment in the valve body to establish a ball column, with the plunger assembly contacting a first end of the ball column and a spring disposed in compression to push opposite the plunger assembly against the second end of the ball column. The balls move axially in unison between a closed configuration, wherein fluid communication between the supply and control ports is blocked, and an open configuration, wherein fluid communication between the supply and control ports is not blocked.

Abstract: In a vehicle solenoid valve, the spool that holds the actuation coil is formed with a hexagonal or octagonal inner chamber in which a cylindrical armature can slide. Owing to the different cross-sectional shapes between the spool and armature, a longitudinal fluid vent passageway is established along each edge of the chamber between the non-cylindrical walls of the chamber and the cylindrical armature so that movement of hydraulic fluid relative to the armature is promoted when the armature moves. The face of the spool that is oriented toward the valve end can be formed with radial vent grooves to further facilitate fluid venting when the armature moves.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve includes a valve body defining a valving bore for providing a path of communication between axially spaced inlet and outlet ports. A solenoid assembly is attached to the valve body and includes an inductor coil, a fixed flux guide and an armature, which is movable axially between a first position and a second position in response to electrical energization of the inductor coil. A valve member is disposed within the valving bore intermediate the inlet and outlet ports. An elongated control member interconnects the armature and the valve member for conjoined axial movement. A generally annular valve seat is disposed within the valving bore between the inlet port and valve member, the valve seat including a central through bore through which the control member extends.

Abstract: In a vehicle solenoid valve, the spool that holds the actuation coil is formed with a hexagonal or octagonal inner chamber in which a cylindrical armature can slide. Owing to the different cross-sectional shapes between the spool and armature, a longitudinal fluid vent passageway is established along each edge of the chamber between the non-cylindrical walls of the chamber and the cylindrical armature so that movement of hydraulic fluid relative to the armature is promoted when the armature moves. The face of the spool that is oriented toward the valve end can be formed with radial vent grooves to further facilitate fluid venting when the armature moves.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a housing that establishes a supply port, a control port, and an exhaust port. A fluted bushing is statically affixed within the housing and a poppet slides within the bushing. The poppet is movable between a de-energized configuration wherein flow is prohibited between the control port and the exhaust port, and permitted between the control port and the supply port, plural partially energized configurations wherein flow is permitted between the supply port and the control port, between the control port and the exhaust port, and between the exhaust port and the supply port, and a fully energized configuration wherein flow is prohibited between the control port and the supply port and flow is permitted between the control port and the exhaust port.

Abstract: An evaporative solenoid valve assembly for use in a vehicle fuel system between a filtration canister and an intake manifold includes a plunger having a plunger body with central-bore and an elastomeric insert molded therein to define a stop cushion at the end of the insert proximal the valve stop and a valve tip at the end of the insert proximal the valve seat. The valve assembly may include a valve stop having a non-conducting insert received in an end proximal the plunger to reduce noise and wear as well as to improve magnetic flux path. Yet another improvement includes an enlarged pre-load spring disposed within the plunger to provide better spring force distribution and plunger to valve seat alignment.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator includes a spool surrounded by a coil, a primary plate disposed at a first end of the spool, and a secondary plate disposed at a second end opposite the first end. A plunger is slidably disposed within respective annular portions defined by the spool and the secondary plate and surrounded by the coil energizable to urge the plunger toward the primary plate. A first spring biases a ball against a supply valve seat configured in either the primary plate or a valve seat assembly, while a rod having a first portion is in operable communication with the plunger and a second portion is in contact with the ball opposite the first spring. A second spring biases the plunger and rod toward an exhaust valve seat configured in either the primary plate or valve seat assembly, opposite the supply valve seat, wherein the supply exhaust valve seats are in fluid communication with each other via a bore therebetween connecting the supply exhaust valve seats.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a housing that establishes a supply port, a control port, and an exhaust port. A fluted bushing is statically affixed within the housing and a poppet slides within the bushing. The poppet is movable between a de-energized configuration wherein flow is prohibited between the control port and the exhaust port, and permitted between the control port and the supply port, plural partially energized configurations wherein flow is permitted between the supply port and the control port, between the control port and the exhaust port, and between the exhaust port and the supply port, and a fully energized configuration wherein flow is prohibited between the control port and the supply port and flow is permitted between the control port and the exhaust port.

Abstract: A coil assembly includes a spool having a wire wound therearound to establish a coil. A spool terminal extends from the spool and the end of the wire is wound around the spool terminal. A connector housing is coupled to the spool and a connector terminal extends therefrom. A portion of the connector terminal is adjacent to a portion of the spool terminal. Thus, the connector terminal can be relatively easily resistance welded or soldered to the spool terminal.

Abstract: An electromagnetically energized actuator featuring low friction, low wear, low impact and low noise attributes. The actuator includes a polymer tube, a stop fixedly disposed in the tube and composed of a highly permeable material, a plunger reciprocably disposed within the tube and composed of a highly permeable material, a spring assembly including a spring which is formed at the facing ends the stop and the plunger which spring serves to bias the plunger away from the stop, a first plate composed of a highly permeable material which is connected to a first end of the tube, and a second plate composed of a highly permeable material which is connected to a second end of the tube. The tube is composed of a polymer which (relative to a conventional brass tube) allows tighter tolerances between the plunger and the tube resulting in lower wear, less sliding noise, reduction in corrosion, and elimination of thinned end of the tube. The preferred tube polymer is VESPEL® with TEFLON® mixture.

Abstract: Described herein is a sensing element for sensing a fluid composition comprising an electrode base having a first electrode and a second electrode disposed thereon; the first electrode and the second electrode being electrically isolated from one another except through an external circuitry; the first electrode and the second electrode being configured, dimensioned, and positioned to define a gap therebetween such that electrical conduction through a fluid within the gap is proportional to a composition of the fluid. A sensing assembly is also described including a combination fuel pressure regulator and composition sensor. Also described herein is a method of using the sensing element in sensing a fluid composition.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator includes a spool surrounded by a coil, a primary plate disposed at a first end of the spool, and a secondary plate disposed at a second end opposite the first end. A plunger is slidably disposed within respective annular portions defined by the spool and the secondary plate and surrounded by the coil energizable to urge the plunger toward the primary plate. A first spring biases a ball against a supply valve seat configured in either the primary plate or a valve seat assembly, while a rod having a first portion is in operable communication with the plunger and a second portion is in contact with the ball opposite the first spring. A second spring biases the plunger and rod toward an exhaust valve seat configured in either the primary plate or valve seat assembly, opposite the supply valve seat, wherein the supply exhaust valve seats are in fluid communication with each other via a bore therebetween connecting the supply exhaust valve seats.

Abstract: An evaporative solenoid valve assembly for use in a vehicle fuel system between a filtration canister and an intake manifold includes a plunger having a plunger body with central-bore and an elastomeric insert molded therein to define a stop cushion at the end of the insert proximal the valve stop and a valve tip at the end of the insert proximal the valve seat. The valve assembly may include a valve stop having a non-conducting insert received in an end proximal the plunger to reduce noise and wear as well as to improve magnetic flux path. Yet another improvement includes an enlarged pre-load spring disposed within the plunger to provide better spring force distribution and plunger to valve seat alignment.