Patent ID: 6273395
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: F04C,F16K

Abstract:
A valve assembly for use in combination with a first chamber, a second chamber, and a source of electrical power, said valve assembly comprising:a first member having a coil and a channel which is communicatively connected to said first chamber and to said second chamber and which includes an inner surface;a switch which is coupled to said coil and to said source of electrical power and which selectively connects said coil to said source of electrical power; anda second member which is disposed within said channel and which includes a first portion having a seal which sealingly engages said inner surface of said channel, a centrally disposed first passage which communicates with said first chamber and which includes an integrally formed valve seat, and a spring and a sealing ball member which are disposed within said first passage, said spring being effective to cause said ball member to selectively engage said valve seat, thereby sealing said first passage, and a second portion having an integrally formed second passage which selectively communicates with said second chamber and said first passage, and a magnetic member which includes a push pin which engages said ball member, said magnetic member being selectively movable between a first position in which said ball member resides within said valve seat, thereby substantially preventing communication between said first chamber and said second chamber and a second position in which said push pin forces said ball member out of said seat, thereby communicatively coupling said first passage and said second passage, effective to allow said first chamber to communicate with said second chamber, said magnetic member being movable from said first position to said second position when said coil is connected to said source of electrical power, thereby allowing said first chamber and said second chamber to be selectively and communicatively connected in response to said connection of said coil to said source of electrical power.