Patent ID: 6540204
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: F02M,F16K,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
A solenoid assembly for regulating the flow of gas from a source of gas to a demand comprising:(a) a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a first section and a second section, (b) the first section comprising a solenoid, said solenoid comprising a tubular core, a coil for inducing a magnetic field, the coil being wound around said core, and a magnetic pole piece positioned within the core, (c) the second section defining a first inlet for fluid communication with the source of gas and further defining an outlet for fluid communication with the demand, the outlet residing in an adapter configured to couple to the demand; (d) the second section further defining a primary chamber, the primary chamber having an inner section and an outer section, the outer section being in fluid communication with the source of gas through the first inlet and being in direct fluid communication with the outlet through a primary chamber orifice; (e) the second section defining a pilot chamber, the pilot chamber having an inner section and an outer section, and the outer section being in fluid communication with the inner section of the primary chamber through a primary channel; (f) the second section further defining a pilot channel communicating fluid between the pilot chamber and the outlet through a pilot chamber vent path, the pilot chamber vent path being defined by the housing; (g) a pilot piston slidably operating between an open and a closed position within the pilot chamber, and a primary piston operating between an open and a closed position within the primary chamber, the primary piston having a front side and a back side, the back side proximate the inner section of the primary chamber, and the primary piston stopping fluid flow between the primary chamber and the outlet through the primary chamber orifice when the primary piston is in the closing position, (h) the primary piston configured to restrict flow through the cross-sectional annular region between the primary piston and the wall of the primary chamber, wherein the effective cross-sectional area of flow in the said cross-sectional annular region is less than the minimal cross-sectional area in the pilot chamber vent path.