Motor-operated Patents (Class 137/625.65)
  • Patent number: 7845370
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronically controlled valve. The electronically controlled valve includes a valve body and a spool. The valve body includes at least one fluid inlet port, at least one fluid outlet port, an upper cavity, and a lower cavity. The spool is disposed within the valve body. The spool includes a first end and an opening. The opening allows the lower cavity to be in fluid communication with the upper cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Enfield Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cook, Blake D. Carter, Roger Edwin Howe
  • Patent number: 7828245
    Abstract: An actuator control system has a dual concentric servo valve having a spool and at least one motor adapted to selectively displace the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Suisse, Carlos A. Fenny, Kim Coakley, George Alagozian
  • Patent number: 7766042
    Abstract: A cartridge valve assembly includes a body having a central bore, a first port, a second port, and a third port fluidly connected to the central bore. The cartridge valve assembly further includes a main spool positioned within the central bore and being movable between at least a first position and a second position. The main spool forms, within the central bore, a first chamber, and a second chamber, and a control chamber. The cartridge valve assembly also includes a first passage fluidly communicating the first chamber with the second chamber, and an actuator adapted to apply a force to a first end of the main spool. The cartridge valve assembly further includes a feedback spool having an end exposed to a feedback chamber formed within the body, and a second passage fluidly communicating the control chamber with the feedback chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Joseph Edward Tabor
  • Patent number: 7748408
    Abstract: A closing device for closing channels in which pressure fluid is conveyed in a housing. The closing device includes a sealing body that is designed as a sleeve member, the peripheral surface of which is arranged between the accommodating bore and the closing member for sealing purposes, and is subjected to a defined surface pressure in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Christoph Voss, Christian Courth
  • Patent number: 7730906
    Abstract: A solenoid including an armature movable in an armature room and a coil which can be flowed through by current. When it is flowed through by current the armature moves. The armature interacts with an armature bar. A path converter is provided between the armature and the armature bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Dieter Kleinert, Georg Scherer, Helmut Mang
  • Patent number: 7717132
    Abstract: A valve-actuator for a hydraulic valve includes a valve chamber, ports spaced mutually and opening into the chamber, a spool axially located in the chamber for opening and closing hydraulic connections between at least two of the ports as the spool moves axially in the chamber. An actuator includes a housing having mutually spaced surfaces, and a piezoelectric element located in the housing between the surfaces, the element expanding and contracting in response to an electric signal applied to the element. A temperature compensation and motion damping circuit comprising feedback resistors and a thermistor. The spool moves axially in the chamber in response to expansion and contraction of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Burkhart, Gregory M. Pietron, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 7686038
    Abstract: Solenoid valve for controlling the flow of a fluid in a hydraulic circuit, comprising a valve body having at least one fluid duct, a stopper for allowing or preventing the flow of fluid in the fluid duct, a mechanical connection to actuate the stopper, an electromagnetic actuator arranged to actuate the mechanical connection, and a coupling between the electromagnetic actuator and the valve body via a jacket surrounding the electromagnetic actuator and engaged on a shoulder of the valve body. The jacket holds the electromagnetic actuator in axial engagement against the valve body in a direction of engagement. The shoulder comprises two matching half-washers engaged radially in a peripheral groove of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Bontaz Centre
    Inventor: Samuel Chavanne
  • Patent number: 7681592
    Abstract: Three-way poppet valves having a poppet valve body, first and second poppet valves disposed in a valve guide within the body for motion between first poppet valve open and first poppet valve closed positions, a first poppet valve seat disposed in the poppet valve body so as to have freedom in a plane perpendicular to the poppet valve axis, the first poppet valve, when moving to the closed position, engaging the first poppet valve seat and centering the first poppet valve seat with respect to the first poppet valve, and when in the closed position, holding the first poppet valve seat against the poppet valve body, and a second poppet valve connected with the first poppet valve, the poppet valve body having a second poppet valve seat, the second poppet valve being in the closed position when the first poppet valve is in the open position and being in the open position when the first poppet valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sturman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall James Strauss, James A. Peña, Tibor Kiss, John Mathew Quinlan
  • Patent number: 7647943
    Abstract: A solenoid including an armature movable in an armature room, and a coil which can be flowed through by current. When flowed through by current the armature moves. The armature immerses in a control cone. The mean gap width between the armature and the control cone changes with the immersion path of the armature in the control cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: Dieter Kleinert, Georg Scherer, Helmut Mang
  • Patent number: 7644688
    Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable poppet valve, and movable first and second spool valves. The assembly also includes an intermediate channel interconnecting the first and second spool valve, a driving channel, and a first and second feedback channel interconnecting the second spool valve and the poppet valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator cooperating with the first spool valve to position the first spool valve to selectively allow high pressure fluid flow to the second spool valve and the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes a first and second on/off valve in respective fluid communication with the first feedback channel and the second feedback channel to selectively exhaust the first and second feedback channel to control motion of the second spool valve. The second spool valve includes a detent feature operable to maintain the second spool valve in a center biased position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig D. Marriott, Zongxuan Sun
  • Publication number: 20090277519
    Abstract: A valve assembly controller is configured with a table having a set of command signal values representing commanded positions of a valve element to obtain a desired flow rates through a fluid pathway. The table also includes a set of empirically measured drive signal values representing the actual positions of the valve element required to obtain the desired flow rates through the fluid pathway. During operation, in order to obtain a desired flow rate through the fluid pathway, the controller intercepts a command signal from a command signal source and provides the valve assembly with a corresponding drive signal based upon the table values. The controller therefore controls the positioning of the valve element such that the valve element is opened to a position either greater or less than the commanded position in order to provide the desired flow through the fluid pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Edward Parker, Delton Boardman, Robert Deller
  • Patent number: 7614529
    Abstract: A spool valve and valve seat assembly disposed in the control module of a hot melt adhesive dispensing system is uniquely structured so as to effectively prevent fluid communication or “cross-talk” between a first dispensing outlet port and a second recirculation port, during those periods when the control module is effectively reciprocally cycling the spool valve between its oppositely disposed extreme conditions for alternatively permitting the hot melt adhesive material to be dispensed from the first outlet port or for re-routing the hot melt adhesive material through the recirculation passage so as to prevent the hot melt adhesive from being improperly dispensed as a result of being undesirably routed to the recirculation passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Bolyard, Jr., Daniel D. Bourget
  • Patent number: 7556062
    Abstract: A solenoid valve and method has a simplified structure that integrates the fluid metering functions of the spool in the armature, thereby eliminating the need for a separate spool, bearings, and pin in the valve. The armature has a aperture that communicates with at least one port in a valve body. The position of the differential in the armature with respect to the ports in the valve body controls the pressure of fluid exiting the outputs of the valve body. In one embodiment, the same overall valve structure can be modified to form both inversely proportional valves and directly proportional valves. By integrating the fluid metering functions of the spool into a single ported armature, the inventive valve assembly reduces the number of parts in the valve, simplifying construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William John Arnold, Robert Andrew Dayton
  • Publication number: 20090133767
    Abstract: A servovalve includes a single motor which actuates separate valve members of separate servovalve assemblies. Each of the valve members controls the flow of hydraulic fluid from separate hydraulic fluid sources. In order to provide each valve member with the ability to operate in the event that the other valve member becomes inoperable, such as caused by jamming of the valve member, each servovalve assembly includes a compression assembly that provides each servovalve assembly with a jam-override capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: HR TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Kim Lige Coakley
  • Patent number: 7523763
    Abstract: A valve body includes a poppet type valve member disposed therein and a through hole formed thereto wherein first and second cylindrical synthetic resin retainers are fitted to the through hole. Valve seats are disposed to the end walls of both the retainers confronting each other across the central port, respectively, and a poppet seal portion is disposed to the poppet type valve member in confrontation with both the valve seats so as to open and close the valve seats of the first and second retainers. The diameters of the inner peripheral walls of both the retainers are slightly reduced in the vicinities of the ends thereof on the valve seat sides so that the effective seat diameters of the valve seats are approximately equal to the inner surface diameters of the retainers with which the slide portions of the valve member are in sliding contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Katsuta, Hideaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7513272
    Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises a solenoid portion 10 and a valve portion 20. The solenoid portion 10 is constructed by a stator core 12, an electromagnetic coil 14 and a plunger 15. The valve portion 20 is constructed by a valve sleeve 21 and a spool 25 axially forming plural lands 26a-26c in series. The plunger 15 is axially moved by electromagnetic attraction and drives the spool 25. There are formed the same pressurized areas at the plunger 15 and the land of the spool 25 closest to the plunger 15. Therefore, the volume in an intermediate space B between the plunger 15 and the spool 25 is constant and contaminants in the oil are not sucked into the intermediate space B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Segi, Mikio Suzuki, Masaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7503346
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated pilot valve includes a pilot valve housing defining a pilot valve chamber and a solenoid. The solenoid includes and end cap connected to the pilot valve housing, a reciprocable plunger, and a piston having a shaft with a first end connected to and end of the plunger and a second end connected to a piston head. The end cap has a bore through which the shaft of the piston reciprocates and a first port separate from the bore. A first seal on a first side of the piston head is provided for sealing a first end of the first port. A second seal on a second side of the piston head is provided for sealing a first end of a second port in the pilot valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Clark
  • Patent number: 7503347
    Abstract: A linear solenoid valve includes a solenoid having a coil wound around a coil bobbin, a fixed core, and a movable core for being attracted to the fixed core when the coil is energized, and a valve mechanism having a valve element for selectively bringing an inlet port and an outlet port into and out of fluid communication with each other responsive to a displacement of the movable core. The movable core has a nonmagnetic layer formed on an outer surface thereof and having a predetermined thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeto Ryuen, Hideki Furuta, Hidetoshi Watanabe, Satoshi Noda
  • Patent number: 7497232
    Abstract: A pressure control valve is provided, in particular an electromagnetic pressure control valve, with a magnetic component which has at least one electrical coil and a relocatably supported armature at least partially within the coil. Furthermore, a valve component is provided which comprises a supply, a runback, a load connection and a valve element, in which the valve element in turn has a gate valve and a globe valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Falk Rainer Müller, Roland Gerhart
  • Publication number: 20090050222
    Abstract: An integrated three-way poppet valve is disclosed with an intermediate pilot port and an integral load holding check valve. The valve incorporates a reverse flow check poppet for load hold capability, which enables a lower cost solution compared to a combination of valves of similar functionality. A control method is also disclosed using an integrated three-way poppet valve to control the flow of hydraulic oil to a cylinder, hydraulic motor, or other hydraulic device in proportion to the amount of a current applied to a solenoid coil. Depending on the current applied, the valve blocks all flow or else permits flow from one inlet port to two outlet ports proportional to the current applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall S. Jackson, Anthony Casale, Jeff Oligmueller
  • Patent number: 7487798
    Abstract: A bottom of a housing has a protruding support extending a predetermined distance toward a movable core, and the movable core has an annular boss extending a predetermined distance toward the housing. The annular boss is disposed in an annular space defined between the bottom of the housing and the protruding support of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Furuta, Shigeto Ryuen, Hidetoshi Watanabe, Satoshi Noda, Masahiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7487752
    Abstract: A control valve (18) for a device (1) to modify the timing of an internal combustion engine is provided. Here, a controlled rotation of the camshaft in reference to the crankshaft can be achieved via a hydraulic adjustment drive. A control valve (18) with operative connectors (A, B), a hydraulic connector (P), and at least one reservoir connector (T, T1, T2) controls the inflow of hydraulic fluid into and/or the outflow of hydraulic fluid out of the hydraulic adjustment drive. A filter (46) is arranged between the hydraulic connector (P) and the operative connectors (A, B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Andreas Strauss, Andreas Röhr, Jens Hoppe
  • Patent number: 7481242
    Abstract: Directional control valve, in particular a hydraulic 3/2-way directional control valve, having an actuating unit (1) and a valve unit (2), which is operatively connected to the actuating unit and in which a valve element (9), displaceable by the actuating unit (1) and having a tappet (14), controls ducts (4, 5, 6) of the valve unit (2) carrying hydraulic pressure medium, the actuating unit (1) having at least one coil (21), a magnetic core (18), which is arranged at least partially inside the coil (21), is of cylindrical design and has an end-face limit (22), and a moveable armature (15) interacting electromagnetically with the magnetic core (18) and comprising an end face (16), the armature being operatively connected to the tappet (14), the internal dimensions of the magnetic core (18) being larger than the external dimensions of the armature (15) and the magnetic core (18) and the armature (15) being arranged, formed and aligned in conjunction with the length of the tappet (14) so that the end face (16) of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Eduard Golovatai-Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7458395
    Abstract: A dual poppet low leak variable bleed solenoid valve, including a solenoid portion with an adjustable end cap disposed through the solenoid. Exhaust ports are disposed about the end cap. A hydraulic portion has a valve housing that is connectable to the solenoid portion. The hydraulic portion has a control volume formed within, and a supply port is connected through the valve housing. A valve shaft is slidably disposed through the solenoid portion and extends longitudinally into the hydraulic portion. A first end of the valve shaft terminates in the solenoid portion forming a primary valve, and a second end of the valve shaft terminates in the hydraulic portion forming a secondary valve. The valve shaft further has a hollow channel disposed through the valve shaft to allow the passage of a fluid medium between the first end and second end of the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Haynes, Michael E. Jones
  • Patent number: 7458561
    Abstract: A spring seat, which contacts a spool, is provided between a compression coil spring and the spool. The spring seat is shaped into a cup-shaped body, which includes a cup tubular section, a cup flange section and a cup bottom section and is fitted to a distal end shaft portion of the spool. A spring load of the spring, which is received by the cup flange section, is conducted to a distal end of the distal end shaft portion through the cup tubular section and the cup bottom section. An outer land diameter of each land of the spool is made smaller than a spring diameter of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Oishi
  • Publication number: 20080289707
    Abstract: A valve (200) for routing a fluid includes a housing (220) having an inlet (222) and at least one outlet port (224). A valve member (218) is located in the housing (220). The valve (218) member has a wall (232) enclosing a cavity (230). A plurality of inlet openings (234) is formed in the wall (232). At least one of the plurality of inlet openings (234) fluidly connects the inlet (222) of the housing (220) with the cavity (230), and the at least one outlet port (224) may be selectively fluidly connected to the cavity (230).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Anil Murgai
  • Publication number: 20080258090
    Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for a cam phasing mechanism of an internal combustion engine includes first and second control ports, a 2-stage hydraulically pilot-actuated, pressure balanced spool having an integral control feedback passage and a linear force solenoid actuator operably coupled to a pilot valve of a pilot stage. The spool valve includes an exhaust path common to pilot and spool exhaust passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David L. Seid
  • Patent number: 7438091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction machine having a working oil tank and a switching valve to open/close the pilot line of the hydraulic pressure control system, the return oil from the switching valve being put back to the tank at the bottom through a return pipe, wherein a drain pipe is provided at a portion of the return pipe lower than the tank, while a plug for opening/closing the drain pipe at the outlet thereof, the oil in the working oil tank being discharged through the return pipe in a case where the outlet is opened by the plug. This allows the simplification of the configuration of drain passage as well as the improvement of the efficiency of draining works.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Murakami
  • Publication number: 20080202608
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve includes a valve body, a valve spool that is movable relative to the valve body for controlling fluid flow through the valve body, and a spool return assembly for biasing the valve spool into a centered position relative to the valve body. The hydraulic valve further includes a position sensor assembly having a sensor portion affixed relative to the valve body and a movable portion that is movable relative to the sensor portion in response to movement of the valve spool. The sensor portion is responsive to a position of the movable portion for outputting a signal indicative of the position of the valve spool relative to the valve body. The movable portion of the position sensor assembly is biased into engagement with the spool return assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Donald Walter Tschida, Brian Bernard Slattery
  • Publication number: 20080196777
    Abstract: An electromagnetic hydraulic valve (1) is provided having a magnetic armature (8) which is guided in a longitudinally movable fashion in an armature guide (9) and activates a valve push rod (15) which extends in a valve housing (14). The valve push rod (15) controls the connection between connection openings (28, 29, 30), formed in the valve housing (14), for hydraulic medium in that the valve push rod (15) is operatively connected to one or more sealing bodies (22, 23) which correspond to one or more sealing sleeves (17, 18) supported in the valve housing (14). The hydraulic valve (1) includes an arrangement for precipitating particles of dirt, which element includes an intermediate floor (31), which is arranged between the armature guide (9) and the connection openings (28, 29, 30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Christoph Ross, Herbert Stoeckel
  • Publication number: 20080142100
    Abstract: A low energy stepper motor driven fuel metering valve (FMV) that eliminates the need for a position sensor is provided. The stepper motor rotates a cam that replaces the flapper valve used in conventional systems. The cam rotation increases the gap between the cam and nozzle on one side of the cam. The gap difference affects the pressures on the spool piston ends, which forces the piston in the direction that will return the cam-nozzle gap to a distance that results in a pressure balance to return. As a result, the relatively low energy stepper motor controls the relatively high energy hydromechanical system via the cam-nozzle-orifice system. The cam is precision machined and assures stroke/degree gain accuracy. The hydraulic system assures the piston tracks the cam essentially perfectly except for the effects of piston stiction forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: WOODWARD GOVERNOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark A. Spickard, Brian E. Hoemke
  • Publication number: 20080138213
    Abstract: A capacity control valve of the present invention includes a valve body (40) integrally having a first valve portion (41) for opening/closing a discharge-side path for having a discharge chamber (11) communicate with a control chamber (12) and a second valve portion (42) for opening/closing a suction-side path for having a suction chamber (13) communicate with the control chamber (12), a pressure sensitive body (50) arranged in a third valve chamber (38) in the middle of the suction-side path, a valve seat body (53) provided at the pressure sensitive body (50), a third valve portion (43) connected to the valve body (40) for opening/closing the suction-side path by engagement and disengagement with the valve seat body (53) and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Satoshi Umemura, Masaki Ota, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Ryosuki Cho, Keigo Shirafuji, Toshiaki Iwa
  • Patent number: 7367357
    Abstract: On/off solenoid ball valves of the invention comprise at least one inlet port; at least one pressure control outlet port; at least one exhaust port; at least one check valve positioned between the pressure control outlet port and the exhaust port; and at least one bypass orifice positioned to allow inlet fluid flow to the pressure control outlet port irrespective of whether the valve is in the “on” or “off” position. Because of their ability to provide unique and controlled flows, valves of the invention are able to be used in applications previously off limits to on/off solenoid ball valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Tae-Kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 7367473
    Abstract: A circuit for dispensing fluid products, in particular coloring agents, paints and the like, comprises a pump (12) for delivering a fluid product, which pump can be activated selectively to send the fluid product to a dispensing duct (16) and a valve (18) which is disposed on the dispensing duct (16) and which can be opened to dispense the fluid product. A control system (28) is able to control the activation of the pump (12) in order to dispense a predetermined quantity of the fluid product. A sensor (24) is provided to detect the opening of the valve (18) and thus the effective start of the dispensing operation to be signalled to the control system (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: CPS Color Equipment S.p.A
    Inventor: Maurizio Meschiari
  • Publication number: 20080099090
    Abstract: A linear voice coil actuator is described, specifically applied to a fluid power valve. The valve includes at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port. A spool controls fluid flow between the inlet port and outlet port. At least one counter-acting spring asserts a force on the spool. The valve also includes a linear voice coil to regulate movement of the spool. The linear voice coil responds to a pulse width modulated signal, wherein the pulse width modulated signal is based on a determined current in the linear voice coil. Electromagnetic interference filtering may also be used. A controller, system and method are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel S. Cook
  • Publication number: 20080087345
    Abstract: A cartridge valve assembly includes a body having a central bore, a first port, a second port, and a third port fluidly connected to the central bore. The cartridge valve assembly further includes a main spool positioned within the central bore and being movable between at least a first position and a second position. The main spool forms, within the central bore, a first chamber, and a second chamber, and a control chamber. The cartridge valve assembly also includes a first passage fluidly communicating the first chamber with the second chamber, and an actuator adapted to apply a force to a first end of the main spool. The cartridge valve assembly further includes a feedback spool having an end exposed to a feedback chamber formed within the body, and a second passage fluidly communicating the control chamber with the feedback chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Edward Tabor
  • Patent number: 7351179
    Abstract: A low energy stepper motor driven actuator that eliminates the need for a position sensor is provided. The stepper motor rotates a cam in a control piston valve. The cam rotation increases the gap between the cam and nozzle on one side of the cam and decreases the gap between the cam and nozzle on the other side. The gap differences affect the pressures on the control piston ends, which forces the piston in the direction that will re-equalize the cam-nozzle gaps. As a result, piston moves to a position such that the head or rod of the actuator piston receives high pressure flow, thereby moving the actuator. Movement of the actuator rod provides mechanical feedback to the cam, causing the cam to move back to its mechanical null position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Spickard
  • Patent number: 7331565
    Abstract: A solenoid control valve is described wherein the valve employs a precision molded plastic valve seat member, a corresponding control valve body which includes flying buttresses for supporting and distributing loads on the control valve body, and armature vent features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: David Mills, Scott Weber, Howard Saxon
  • Patent number: 7322376
    Abstract: A piezoelectric valve has a flexural transducer accommodated in a valve housing and having a free ending cantilever operational section able to be deflected by electrical control. The operational section extends over two controlled valve openings lying on the same side and possesses two control section associated with such valve openings. One of the control section serves for control of a supply opening and is urged into its closed by actuating means provided in addition to the flexural transducer. The actuating force is powerful enough to reach the closed position, when the other control section clears the associated valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventor: Herbert Frisch
  • Patent number: 7320335
    Abstract: A electrohydraulic control device H for the direction control of a hydro-motor, particularly for working pressures u to more than about 450 bar in a portable working device, comprises working lines A, B and a pressure line P and a respective load holding valve LA, LB in each working line A, B which load holding valve is switched from a load holding position for the respective working line to open to a return system R when a main directional solenoid seat valve VA, VB is in a switching position connecting the pressure source P with the respective other working line, and a circulation switching assembly U effective between the pressure source P and the return system R when the working lines A, B are separated from the pressure source P contains as the respective load holding valve LA, LB a 2/2-directional solenoid seat valve which selectively and electrically is switched open towards the return system R for, by intention, relieving the working pressure from the associated working line A, B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: HAWE Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Heusser, Georg Neumair
  • Publication number: 20080011371
    Abstract: A valve-actuator for a hydraulic valve includes a valve chamber, ports spaced mutually and opening into the chamber, a spool axially located in the chamber for opening and closing hydraulic connections between at least two of the ports as the spool moves axially in the chamber. An actuator includes a housing having mutually spaced surfaces, and a piezoelectric element located in the housing between the surfaces, the element expanding and contracting in response to an electric signal applied to the element. A temperature compensation and motion damping circuit comprising feedback resistors and a thermistor. The spool moves axially in the chamber in response to expansion and contraction of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Robert O. Burkhart, Gregory M. Pietron, Yuji Fujii
  • Publication number: 20070267077
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic hydraulic pressure control valve of an N/L type, an electromagnetic actuator provides a force to a spool, which is slidably received in a valve housing, in a valve opening direction for opening an input port of the valve housing. A return spring provides a force to the spool in the valve closing direction. A constriction is provided to constrict a flow passage cross sectional area in a fluid passage, which extends from the input port to a hydraulic servo. A negative pressure port opens in a direction generally perpendicular to a flow direction of a fluid at a location, at which a fluid velocity of the fluid is accelerated by the constriction. A negative pressure guide passage communicates between the negative pressure port and a feedback chamber defined in the valve housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kanehisa Nagasaki, Ryo Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20070240775
    Abstract: A variable flow valve is provided. The variable flow valve includes a housing, an actuator, a biasing agent, positioning coils, and a locking coil. The housing defines a bore, an inlet, and an outlet. The actuator is moveably disposed within the bore and configured to selectively obstruct and expose the outlet. The biasing agent is disposed within the bore. The biasing agent is also interposed between the housing and the actuator to bias the actuator toward the outlet. The positioning coils are disposed about the housing and operable to drive the biasing agent to a retracted position. The locking coil is disposed about the housing proximate the biasing agent. The locking coil is operable to capture the biasing agent in the retracted position. As such, the positioning coils are thereafter able to move the actuator free of the bias from the biasing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: ROBERTSHAW CONTROLS COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew Crnkovich, Konstantin A. Shukhmin, Rana J. Waitai, Andrew J. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7255132
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control valve for controlling flow of hydraulic fluid. The control valve comprises: a valve housing (10); a sleeve (11) slidable in a valve chamber in the valve housing (10); a first fluid conduit (12) for connecting the valve chamber to a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid; a second fluid conduit (14) for connecting the valve chamber to a fluid return for returning hydraulic fluid to a reservoir; and a third fluid conduit (16) for connecting the valve chamber to deliver hydraulic fluid to and receive hydraulic fluid from apparatus which uses the hydraulic fluid flow controlled by the control valve. The sleeve (11) is a tubular sleeve having, a tubular passage therethrough. The valve housing has a pair of spaced apart valve seat surfaces (22, 23), a first valve seat surface (22) which is engageable by a first end of the tubular sleeve (11) and a second valve seat surface (23) which is engageable by a second end of the tubular sleeve (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Lotus Cars Limited
    Inventors: George Edmond, Steven Kenchington, Simon Paul Kuderovitch
  • Patent number: 7243680
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic valve (1), which comprises an electromagnet (2) with a magnet armature (3) as well as the valve part (4) with at least two valve seats (5, 6). The electromagnet (2) is formed by a hollow-cylindrical plastic coil former (8), a coil winding (10) which is accommodated in the latter and a magnet housing (11) which encloses the coil winding (10), the hollow cylinder of the coil former (8) being formed as an armature space (14) of the magnet armature (3), into which an upper magnet pole (15) and a lower magnet pole (16) protrude. The valve part (4) is formed by a hollow-cylindrical valve housing (18), which has a pressure connection (P) at the end as well as a consumer connection (A) and a tank connection (T), respectively arranged in its lateral surface (19), in the hollow cylinder of which housing two cup-shaped deep-drawn parts (23, 24) with the valve seats (5, 6) are pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Eduard Golovatai-Schmidt, Michael Kraemer
  • Publication number: 20070158605
    Abstract: A bobbin and a magnetic transmitting/receiving stator are positioned by fitting two positioning projections provided for a bobbin flange into two positioning holes formed in a stator flange. The positioning hole has a circular shape and the positioning projection has a flat oval shape which matches a diameter part of the circular shape so that a resin-passing gap is formed between the shapes. Since the resin-passing gap plays the role equivalent to the role of a resin passing hole, the total number of positioning holes and the resin passing holes can be reduced, and magnetic flux passing through the stator flange can be prevented from decreasing. Since a post-forming resin flows through the resin-passing gap in the positioning part, the flow of the post-forming resin can be made uniform in the whole periphery, and occurrence of poor molding can be restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Murao, Jiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 7210501
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a valve body having both fluid inlet and discharge ports. A flow passage axially extending within the valve body communicates with the inlet and discharge ports. A valve member within the flow passage is movable by an actuator force in a first direction to direct a pressurized fluid from the inlet to the discharge port. The valve member includes first and second valve heads having different diameters and a valve seating member. The valve seating member engages first and second sealing diameters of the flow passage, the second sealing diameter being smaller than the first. Fluid pressure acting on the different diameters of the first valve head and valve seating member in contact with the second sealing diameter creates a net return force directing the valve member in a second direction opposite to the first direction upon removal of the actuator force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H Neff, Eric P Janssen, Lynn R Long
  • Patent number: 7210502
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for controlling a variable displacement compressor. The device comprises a microvalve operated control valve. A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow and a micro spool valve for use as a microvalve are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Microstaq Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Nelson Fuller, Brady Reuben Davies, Jeffrey Ross Uibel, Steven Brent Booth, Jeffrey Oliver Chance
  • Patent number: 7165731
    Abstract: When an engine is cold-started, the engine oil is quite viscous and requires larger passageways to flow through the engine than when the engine is warmed up and the engine oil flows readily. The present invention relates to a pin valve assembly which may be used on a fuel injector of an engine. The pin valve assembly of the present invention includes a movable shuttle which allows for a relatively large fluid flow space within the pin valve assembly when the engine is cold, and then moves to reduce the fluid flow space when the engine oil is less viscous and requires less room to flow as desired. Therefore, the advantages of a relatively large fluid flow space as well as a shorter pin travel distance within the pin valve assembly are both preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Clifford E. Cotton, III
  • Patent number: 7159615
    Abstract: A flow rate control valve comprising a valve body having an input port, an output port and an exhaust port, a valve means that is arranged in the valve body and controls the communication of the ports, and an electromagnetic operation means for driving the valve means. The valve means has a first valve body having a first valve portion that is seated on a partitioning plate disposed in a communication chamber formed between the input port and the output port and a first valve portion provided at one end portion, and a second valve body having a valve portion that comes in contact with the second valve portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Yasushi Yamamoto