Patent ID: 7331654
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: B41J,F16K

Abstract:
1. A valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, comprising: a plunger member journalled for axial reciprocation between a rest and an operative position within a tubular member supporting an electric coil under the influence of a magnetic field generated by that coil when an electric current passes through the coil; bias means to bias the plunger towards its rest position when no current is applied to the coil, the distal end of the plunger extending into a valve head chamber having an outlet bore to a nozzle orifice, the reciprocation of the plunger being adapted to open or close a fluid flow path from the valve head chamber through that bore to the nozzle orifice; and wherein: a. the plunger is made from an electromagnetic material having a saturation flux density greater than 1.2 Tesla; and b. the bore leading from the valve head chamber to the nozzle orifice has a length to diameter ratio of 5:1 or less; and c. the nozzle orifice has a diameter of 80 micrometers or less.