Patent ID: 6035895
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A three-way fluid control valve that controls a flow of a working fluid, comprising:a housing that has a supply port, a cylinder port and a return port, said housing further having a first valve seat that has a first seat area and a second valve seat that has a second seat area;a transfer tube that extends through said housing;a first valve that is attached to said transfer tube and located adjacent to said first valve seat;a second valve that is attached to said transfer tube and located adjacent to said second valve seat;a first solenoid that is adapted to receive current and move said transfer tube to a first position such that said first valve closes against said first valve seat and said second valve is open to allow fluid communication between said supply port and said cylinder port, said first solenoid being adapted to have a residual magnetism that retains said transfer tube in said first position when current is not being provided to said first solenoid;a first seal that is attached to said transfer tube and which seals said first solenoid;a second solenoid that is adapted to receive current and move said transfer tube to a second position such that said second valve closes against said second valve seat and said first valve is open to allow fluid communication between said cylinder port and said return port; and,a second seal that is attached to said transfer tube and which seals said second solenoid, said second solenoid being adapted to have a residual magnetism that retains said transfer tube in said second position when current is not provided to second solenoid.