Patent ID: 7028978
Filing Date: 2006-04-18
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly comprising: a solenoid coil adapted to generate a magnetic flux, and having a longitudinal axis and a bore coaxial therewith; an axially translatable armature made of a magnetic material, said armature supported within an armature cavity for axial translation along said longitudinal axis; a magnetic pole piece disposed within said bore of said solenoid coil, said magnetic pole piece having a lower distal end and being magnetically coupled to said armature and forming an axial air gap and a radial air gap between said armature and said lower distal end of said magnetic pole piece, said magnetic pole piece comprised of a sleeve piece portion and an axial portion, said sleeve piece portion further comprised of a relatively thin portion contiguous with said sleeve piece portion, said relatively thin portion rapidly saturating when said valve assembly is subject to said magnetic flux and being magnetically coupled to said armature; a valve unit, mechanically coupled to said armature, said valve unit having an interior valve poppet cavity in fluid communication with a fluid inlet port to which fluid is applied at a first fluid pressure and a fluid exit port from which said fluid is output at a second fluid pressure and containing a valve seat therebetween, said valve seat adapted to be closed by a valve closing assembly comprised of a valve poppet mechanically coupled to said armature, so as to regulate fluid flow between said fluid inlet port and said fluid exit port; an armature centering mechanism to prevent off-axis tilting of said armature; and a fluid pressure balancing arrangement adapted to compensate for said first fluid pressure and said second fluid pressure being exerted against said valve poppet, said fluid pressure balancing arrangement comprising a diaphragm between said armature cavity and said interior valve poppet cavity and a fluid communication path through said valve closing assembly, said fluid communication path providing fluid communication between said fluid exit port and said armature cavity.