Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to pulse valve assemblies, which may be adapted for use in dust collectors or plastic blow molding machines.

Pulse valve assemblies are commonly used in dust collectors for cleaning purposes. Dust collectors are used in a wide variety of applications to collect environmental dust, saw dust, and other particulates. Typical dust collectors have one or more filter elements that remove and trap dust that is suspended in the fluid flow (e.g., air flow) passing through the dust collector. As a result, the fluid flow exiting the dust collector is substantially free of dust and/or other particulates. Pulse valve assemblies are used in dust collectors to provide a pulse or burst of high velocity fluid flow (e.g., air), which creates a pressure wave that acts on the one or more filter elements of the dust collector to knock or blow dust and/or other particulates off of the filter element. For example, in some systems, the dust collector is configured such that the pulse of air supplied by the pulse valve assembly causes the filter element to rapidly expand and then contract to its initial state. The dust and/or other particulate that has accumulated on or in the filter element falls off the filter element and into a container in the dust collector when this rapid expansion and contraction occurs, cleaning the filter element. This cleaning process can occur while the dust collector remains running. The pulse valve assembly is controlled to provide pulses of air at predetermined intervals to keep the filter element clean. <CIT> discloses a known pulse valve assembly including a main valve and a pilot valve.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pulse valve assembly including a main valve including a cylindrical main valve body, a main valve bore extending within the main valve body, and a main valve spool slidingly disposed in the main valve bore for movement between a closed position and an open position. The pulse valve assembly also includes a pilot valve configured to selectively move the main valve spool between the closed position and the open position. The main valve body includes a plurality of axially extending and laterally spaced apart inlet ports located about a circumference of the cylindrical main valve body, a plurality of axially extending and laterally spaced apart outlet ports located radially inward from the plurality of inlet ports, a pilot valve inlet passage, a normally closed pilot valve outlet passage, and a normally open pilot valve outlet passage each disposed in fluid communication with the main valve bore. The main valve body has a first pressure chamber at one end of the main valve bore in fluid communication with the normally closed pilot valve outlet passage, and a second pressure chamber at an opposite end of the main valve bore in fluid communication with the normally open pilot valve outlet passage. The main valve spool includes a main valve member configured to block fluid flow between the inlet port and the outlet port when the main valve spool is in the closed position and permit fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port when the main valve spool is in the open position. The pilot valve is configured such that in a closed position of the pilot valve, fluid communication is permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally open pilot valve outlet passage, which pressurizes the second pressure chamber to maintain the main valve spool in the closed position to prevent fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port. The pilot valve is configured such that in an open position of the pilot valve, fluid communication is not permitted between the between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally open pilot valve outlet passage, and is permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally closed pilot valve outlet passage, which pressurizes the first pressure chamber and depressurizes the second pressure chamber to move the main valve spool to the open positon to permit fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port.

Advantageously, this configuration provides a higher-flow valve that has a less tortuous path through the pulse valve, which provides a more efficient pulse valve.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present disclosure provides a pulse valve assembly including a main valve including a cylindrical main valve body, a main valve bore extending within the main valve body, and a main valve spool slidingly disposed in the main valve bore for movement between a closed position and an open position; and a pilot valve configured to selectively move the main valve spool between the closed position and the open position. The main valve body includes a plurality of axially extending and laterally spaced apart inlet ports located about a circumference of the cylindrical main valve body, an outlet port located radially inward from the plurality of inlet ports, a pilot valve inlet passage, a normally closed pilot valve outlet passage, and a normally open pilot valve outlet passage each disposed in fluid communication with the main valve bore. The main valve body has a first pressure chamber at one end of the main valve bore in fluid communication with the inlet ports and the outlet port, and a second pressure chamber at an opposite end of the main valve bore in fluid communication with the normally open pilot valve outlet passage. The main valve spool includes a main valve member configured to block fluid flow between the inlet ports and the outlet port when the main valve spool is in the closed position and permit fluid flow from the inlet ports to the outlet port when the main valve spool is in the open position. The pilot valve is configured such that in a closed position of the pilot valve, fluid communication is permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally open pilot valve outlet passage, which pressurizes the second pressure chamber to maintain the main valve spool in the closed position to prevent fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port; and the pilot valve is configured such that in an open position of the pilot valve, fluid communication is not permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally open pilot valve outlet passage, and is permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally closed pilot valve outlet passage to move the main valve spool to the open positon to permit fluid flow from the inlet ports to the outlet ports.

According to the second aspect, the main valve spool includes a first piston positioned in the second pressure chamber that is configured to block a second pressure chamber outlet that communicates with the first pressure chamber when the main valve spool is in the closed position, and a second piston positioned in the first pressure chamber that seals the outlet port when the mail valve spool is in the closed position, and when the main valve spool is in the open position, fluid is permitted to flow from the second pressure chamber through the second pressure chamber outlet to the first pressure chamber and exit the main valve body through the outlet port.

According to the second aspect, when fluid communication is permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally closed pilot valve outlet passage to move the main valve spool to the open positon to permit fluid flow from the inlet ports to the outlet ports, the main valve spool is moved in a direction toward the pilot valve to open second pressure chamber outlet.

According to the second aspect, when the main valve spool is in the open position, fluid in the first pressure chamber that is received from the plurality of inlet ports and fluid received from the second pressure chamber outlet port is permitted to exit the outlet.

According to the second aspect, the pulse valve assembly may include a spring positioned about the main valve spool that biases the main valve spool to the closed position.

According to the second aspect, the pilot valve inlet passage communicates with the plurality of inlet ports.

According to the second aspect, the normally open pilot valve outlet passage communicates with the first pressure chamber to maintain the main valve spool in the closed position.

According to the second aspect, the normally open pilot valve outlet passage is in communication with a cavity formed in the main valve body, which communicates with the second pressure chamber via an aperture that separates the cavity and the second pressure chamber.

Lastly, accordingly to the second aspect, the pilot valve includes a pilot valve body defining a pilot valve bore having a pilot valve member located therein, the pilot valve member being actuated by a solenoid that moves the pilot valve member between a first position where fluid communication between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally open pilot valve outlet is permitted, and a second position where fluid communication between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally closed pilot valve outlet is permitted.

The example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present.

Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.

With reference to <FIG>, a pulse valve assembly <NUM> according a first embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Pulse valve assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical main valve <NUM> and a pilot valve <NUM> (show in <FIG>). The main valve <NUM> includes a cylindrical main valve body <NUM>, a main valve bore <NUM>, and a main valve spool <NUM>. The main valve bore <NUM> extends within the main valve body <NUM> along an axis <NUM>. The main valve spool <NUM> is disposed in the main valve bore <NUM> and can move (i.e., slide) within the main valve bore <NUM> between a closed position (<FIG> and <FIG>) and an open position (<FIG>, as indicated by the arrow B).

The main valve body <NUM> has a mounting interface <NUM> that includes a plurality of axially extending and laterally spaced apart inlet ports <NUM> and a plurality of axially extending and laterally spaced apart outlet ports <NUM> located radially inwardly from the plurality of inlet ports <NUM>. The size and number of inlet ports <NUM> and outlet ports <NUM>, as well as the outlet ports <NUM> being located radially inwardly from the inlet ports <NUM> increases the efficiency of the out pulse and flow of the fluid (e.g., air) from the valve assembly <NUM>. In this regard, the size of the inlet and outlet ports <NUM>, <NUM> provides for an increased volume of fluid (e.g., air) that may be pulsed from the pulse valve <NUM>, while the outlet ports <NUM> being located radially inwardly from the inlet ports <NUM> provides for a less tortuous flow path through the pulse valve <NUM>. A base (not illustrated) may optionally be connected to the mounting interface <NUM> of the main valve body <NUM> by screws <NUM>. The base provides an input in fluid communication with the inlet ports <NUM> of the main valve body <NUM> and is configured to connect to and receive pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid source (not shown). Examples of pressurized fluid sources include, but are not limited to, storage tanks, pumps, and compressors. The output of the base provides fluid communication with the outlet ports <NUM> of the main valve body <NUM> and is configured to connect to and supply pressurized fluid to an accessory device (not shown). Examples of accessory devices include, but are not limited to, nozzles in a dust collector.

The main valve body <NUM> also includes a pilot inlet passage <NUM> that communicates with inlet ports <NUM>, a normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> (<FIG>) that is used to actuate spool <NUM> between the closed and open positions, and a normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM>. As fluid (e.g., air) travels from inlet ports <NUM> to pilot inlet passage <NUM> while pilot valve <NUM> is in a closed position, the fluid will bypass normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> and travel into normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM>. The inlet ports <NUM>, outlet ports <NUM>, pilot inlet passage <NUM>, normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM>, and normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM> are all disposed in fluid communication with the main valve bore <NUM>.

The main valve bore <NUM> of the main valve body <NUM> includes a first piston seat <NUM>, a second piston seat <NUM>, and a main valve member <NUM>. The second piston seat <NUM> is axially spaced from the first piston seat <NUM> and the main valve member seat <NUM> is positioned axially between the first and second piston seats <NUM>, <NUM> in the main valve body <NUM>. The main valve spool <NUM> includes a first piston <NUM>, a second piston <NUM>, and a main valve member <NUM>. The second piston <NUM> is axially spaced from the first piston <NUM>, and the main valve member <NUM> is positioned axially between the first and second pistons <NUM>, <NUM>. The first piston <NUM> is disposed in sliding contact with the first piston seat <NUM> when the main valve spool <NUM> is in the open and closed positions such that the first piston <NUM> defines a first pressure chamber <NUM> (<FIG>) at one end of the main valve spool <NUM>. The first pressure chamber <NUM> is disposed in fluid communication with and receives pressurized fluid from the normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM>. The second piston <NUM> is disposed in sliding contact with the second piston seat <NUM> when the main valve spool <NUM> is in the open and closed positions such that the second piston <NUM> defines a second pressure chamber <NUM> at an opposite end of the main valve bore <NUM>. The second pressure chamber <NUM> is disposed in fluid communication with and receives pressurized fluid from the normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM>.

The main valve member <NUM> includes an abutment surface <NUM> that contacts the main valve member seat <NUM> when the main valve spool <NUM> is in the closed position (<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). As a result, the main valve member <NUM> blocks fluid flow between the inlet ports <NUM> and the outlet ports <NUM> in the main valve body <NUM> when the main valve spool <NUM> is in the closed position. In contrast, the main valve member <NUM> is axially spaced from the main valve member seat <NUM> when the main valve spool <NUM> is in the open position (<FIG>, as shown by the arrow B). As a result, the main valve member <NUM> permits (i.e., allows) fluid to flow from the inlet ports <NUM> to the outlet port <NUM> in the main valve body <NUM> when the main valve spool <NUM> is in the open position. Although not required, the main valve <NUM> includes a main valve spring <NUM> that is disposed in the second pressure chamber <NUM> of the main valve bore <NUM>. The main valve spring <NUM> contacts the second piston <NUM> to bias the main valve spool <NUM> towards the closed position (<FIG> and <FIG>). In accordance with this configuration, the main valve <NUM> acts as a two-way, normally closed valve.

Pilot valve <NUM> is mounted to a mounting surface <NUM> of main valve body <NUM>. Pilot valve <NUM> includes a pilot valve body <NUM> that is fixed to mounting surface <NUM>, and includes a lid <NUM> that encloses a solenoid-actuated pilot valve member <NUM>. Pilot valve member <NUM> is slidable within pilot valve body <NUM> along a pilot valve bore <NUM> to open and close normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM>. Pilot valve bore <NUM> communicates with pilot inlet passage <NUM> and normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM> such that, as described above, fluid (e.g., air) flows from inlet ports <NUM> into pilot inlet passage <NUM>, from pilot inlet passage <NUM> into pilot valve bore <NUM>, and into normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM> when pilot valve member <NUM> is in the closed position. Upon actuation of pilot valve member <NUM> by a solenoid <NUM>, the fluid (e.g., air) is then free to flow from pilot valve bore <NUM> into normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> to actuate main valve spool <NUM> into the open position (<FIG> and <FIG>). Pilot valve <NUM> may be a pilot valve described in <CIT> assigned to MAC Valves, Inc. , which is also the assignee of the present disclosure. Alternatively, pilot valve <NUM> may be any other type of pilot valve known to one skilled in the art.

As best seen in <FIG>, the pilot valve bore <NUM> extends within the pilot valve body <NUM> along a transverse axis <NUM> that is perpendicular to the axis <NUM> of the main valve bore <NUM>. As described above, pilot valve member <NUM> is disposed in the pilot valve bore <NUM> and can move (i.e., slide) inside the pilot valve bore <NUM> along the transverse axis <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that other configurations are possible where pilot valve <NUM> is installed at a different location and/or orientation relative to the main valve <NUM>.

Pilot valve <NUM> includes solenoid <NUM> for driving the pilot valve member <NUM> inside pilot valve bore <NUM> between two or more axially spaced positions. As a result, the position of the pilot valve member <NUM> in pilot valve bore <NUM> determines whether or not the pressurized fluid can flow from the pilot inlet passage <NUM> to the normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM>.

Pilot valve member <NUM> includes a first valve head <NUM> and a second valve head <NUM> longitudinally spaced apart from the first valve head <NUM>. In a closed position of pilot valve <NUM> (i.e., when normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> is prevented from receiving pressurized fluid), first valve head <NUM> is in contact with a first valve seat <NUM> of pilot valve bore <NUM>, and second valve head <NUM> is longitudinally spaced apart from a second valve seat <NUM> of pilot valve bore <NUM>. In this state, pressurized fluid is free to enter pilot valve <NUM> through pilot valve inlet passage <NUM> and exit pilot valve <NUM> (not shown) into normally open pilot valve outlet passage <NUM>. In this manner, the pressurized fluid is able to enter second pressure chamber <NUM> via normally open pilot valve outlet passage <NUM> to force spool <NUM> into the closed position where main valve member <NUM> is in engagement with main valve bore surface <NUM>.

In an open position of pilot valve <NUM> (i.e., when normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> is permitted to receive pressurized fluid), solenoid <NUM> is energized to force pilot valve member <NUM> in a direction away from solenoid <NUM>, which moves first valve head <NUM> away from first valve seat <NUM> and moves second valve head <NUM> into contact with second valve seat <NUM> of pilot valve bore <NUM>. In this state, pressurized fluid is free to enter pilot valve <NUM> through pilot valve inlet passage <NUM> and exit pilot valve <NUM> into normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM>, without entering normally open pilot valve outlet passage <NUM>. In this manner, the pressurized fluid is prevented from reaching second pressure chamber <NUM> while being able to enter first pressure chamber <NUM>. Because no pressurized fluid is in second pressure chamber <NUM> (or at least because the fluid in second pressure chamber <NUM> is no longer pressurized), the pressurized fluid in first pressure chamber <NUM> is sufficient to force main valve spool <NUM> in a direction away (i.e., in the direction of arrow B) from pilot valve <NUM> such that main valve member <NUM> is disengaged from main valve member seat <NUM>. Thus, the pressurized fluid that enters inlet ports <NUM> is able to flow from inlet ports <NUM> into main valve bore <NUM> and around main valve member seat <NUM> into outlet ports <NUM>.

The above-described pulse valve <NUM> provides a higher-flow valve that has a less tortuous path through the pulse valve <NUM>, which provides a more efficient pulse valve <NUM>. In this regard, the size and number of inlet ports <NUM> and outlet ports <NUM>, as well as the outlet ports <NUM> being located radially inwardly from the inlet ports <NUM> increases the efficiency of the out pulse and flow of the fluid (e.g., air) from the valve assembly <NUM>. More particularly, the size of the inlet and outlet ports <NUM>, <NUM> provides for an increased volume of fluid (e.g., air) that may be pulsed from the pulse valve <NUM>, while the outlet ports <NUM> being located radially inwardly from the inlet ports <NUM> provides for a less tortuous flow path through the pulse valve <NUM>.

Now referring to <FIG>, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Pulse valve assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical main valve <NUM> and a pilot valve <NUM> (<FIG>). The main valve <NUM> includes a cylindrical main valve body <NUM>, a main valve bore <NUM>, and a main valve spool <NUM>. The main valve bore <NUM> extends within the main valve body <NUM> along an axis <NUM>. The main valve spool <NUM> is disposed in the main valve bore <NUM> and can move (i.e., slide) within the main valve bore <NUM> between a closed position and an open position (as indicated by the arrow B).

The main valve body <NUM> has a mounting interface <NUM> that includes a plurality of axially extending and laterally spaced apart inlet ports <NUM> and a single outlet port <NUM> located at a center of the mounting interface <NUM> that is located radially inwardly from the plurality of inlet ports <NUM>. The size and number of inlet ports <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>, as well as the outlet port <NUM> being located radially inwardly from the inlet ports <NUM> increases the efficiency of the out pulse and flow of the fluid (e.g., air) from the valve assembly <NUM>. In this regard, the size of the inlet ports <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> provides for an increased volume of fluid (e.g., air) that may be pulsed from the pulse valve <NUM> while the outlet port <NUM> being located radially inwardly from the inlet ports <NUM> provides for a less tortuous flow path through the pulse valve <NUM>. A base (not illustrated) may optionally be connected to the mounting interface <NUM> of the main valve body <NUM> by screws <NUM>. The base provides an input in fluid communication with the inlet ports <NUM> of the main valve body <NUM> and is configured to connect to and receive pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid source (not shown). Examples of pressurized fluid sources include, but are not limited to, storage tanks, pumps, and compressors. The output of the base provides fluid communication with the outlet port <NUM> of the main valve body <NUM> and is configured to connect to and supply pressurized fluid to an accessory device (not shown). Examples of accessory devices include, but are not limited to, nozzles in a dust collector.

The main valve body <NUM> includes a pilot inlet passage <NUM> that communicates with inlet ports <NUM>. In this regard, as the fluid (e.g., air) enters each of the inlet ports <NUM>, the fluid will collect in a first chamber <NUM> that surrounds main valve spool <NUM> before entering pilot inlet passage <NUM> and travelling to pilot valve <NUM>. Main valve body <NUM> also includes normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> (<FIG>) that is used to actuate main valve spool <NUM> between the closed and open positions, and a normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM>. As fluid (e.g., air) travels from inlet ports <NUM> to pilot inlet passage <NUM> while pilot valve <NUM> is in a closed position, the fluid will bypass normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> and travel into normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM> to pressurize a second chamber <NUM> via a cavity <NUM> that communicates with normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM> via apertures <NUM> formed in main valve body <NUM>, which keeps main valve spool <NUM> in the closed position. The inlet ports <NUM>, outlet port <NUM>, pilot inlet passage <NUM>, normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM>, and normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM> are all disposed in fluid communication with the main valve bore <NUM>. Any excessive pressure that builds in cavity <NUM> and second pressure chamber <NUM> may be relieved through a bleed passage <NUM> formed in pilot valve <NUM>.

The main valve bore <NUM> of the main valve body <NUM> includes a first piston seat <NUM> in second chamber <NUM> and a second piston seat <NUM> in first chamber <NUM>. The second piston seat <NUM> is axially spaced from the first piston seat <NUM>. The main valve spool <NUM> includes a first piston <NUM> and a second piston <NUM>. The second piston <NUM> is axially spaced from the first piston <NUM>. The first piston <NUM> is disposed in sliding contact with the first piston seat <NUM> when the main valve spool <NUM> is in the open and closed positions.

The second pressure chamber <NUM>, in addition to being in fluid communication with normally open pilot outlet passage <NUM>, is also in fluid communication with and receives pressurized fluid from the normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> when pilot valve <NUM> is in the open position, which actuates main valve spool <NUM> to move first piston <NUM> in a direction toward pilot valve <NUM> to open the valve <NUM>. The second piston <NUM> is disposed in sliding contact with the second piston seat <NUM>, and is used to seal and open outlet port <NUM>. The first pressure chamber <NUM>, in addition to being in communication with fluid inlet ports <NUM>, is also in communication with second pressure chamber <NUM> via a second pressure chamber outlet <NUM> (<FIG>) such that when valve spool <NUM> moves to the open position, each of first piston <NUM> and second piston <NUM> are moved in the direction of the arrow B to permit fluid communication between second chamber <NUM> and first chamber <NUM>, and allow the fluid to exit the valve <NUM> through outlet port <NUM>. A valve spring <NUM> may be positioned about valve spool <NUM> in the second pressure chamber <NUM> of the main valve bore <NUM>. The valve spring <NUM> contacts the first piston <NUM> to bias the main valve spool <NUM> towards the closed position. In accordance with this configuration, the valve <NUM> acts as a two-way, normally closed valve.

Pilot valve member <NUM> includes a first valve head <NUM> and a second valve head <NUM> longitudinally spaced apart from the first valve head <NUM>. In a closed position of pilot valve <NUM> (i.e., when normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> is prevented from receiving pressurized fluid), first valve head <NUM> is in contact with a first valve seat <NUM> of pilot valve bore <NUM>, and second valve head <NUM> is longitudinally spaced apart from a second valve seat <NUM> of pilot valve bore <NUM>. In this state, pressurized fluid is free to enter pilot valve <NUM> through pilot valve inlet passage <NUM> and exit pilot valve <NUM> (not shown) into normally open pilot valve outlet passage <NUM>. In this manner, the pressurized fluid is able to enter second pressure chamber <NUM> via normally open pilot valve outlet passage <NUM> via cavity <NUM> to force spool <NUM> into the closed position where first piston <NUM> is in engagement with first valve seat <NUM> of main valve bore <NUM>.

In an open position of pilot valve <NUM> (i.e., when normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM> is permitted to receive pressurized fluid as shown in <FIG>), solenoid <NUM> is energized to force pilot valve member <NUM> in a direction toward solenoid <NUM>, which moves first valve head <NUM> away from first valve seat <NUM> and moves second valve head <NUM> into contact with second valve seat <NUM> of pilot valve bore <NUM>. In this state, pressurized fluid is free to enter pilot valve <NUM> through pilot valve inlet passage <NUM> and exit pilot valve <NUM> into normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM>, without entering normally open pilot valve outlet passage <NUM>. As the fluid enters normally closed pilot outlet passage <NUM>, pressure will increase in normally closed outlet passage <NUM> to an extent that first and second pistons <NUM> and <NUM> are moved in the direction of arrow B. When first piston <NUM> is moved in the direction of arrow B, the fluid is permitted to enter second pressure chamber <NUM> and the second pressure chamber outlet <NUM> is opened. Thus, the fluid that has entered second pressure chamber <NUM> will be permitted to flow into first pressure chamber <NUM>. Further, because second piston <NUM> is also moved in the direction of arrow B to open outlet port <NUM>, the pressurized fluid that entered first pressure chamber <NUM> from second pressure chamber <NUM> via second pressure chamber outlet <NUM> is permitted to exit the valve <NUM> through the open outlet port <NUM>. In addition, it should be noted that inlet ports <NUM> will continue to receive fluid that upon entry into first pressure chamber <NUM> will also be permitted to exit outlet port <NUM>. In this manner, an increased pulse of fluid can be emitted by valve <NUM> when valve <NUM> is in the open state.

The above-described pulse valve <NUM> provides a higher-flow valve that has a less tortuous path through the pulse valve <NUM>, which provides a more efficient pulse valve <NUM>. In this regard, as noted above, the amount of fluid that is emitted from valve <NUM> will include the amount of fluid that is required to actuate main valve spool <NUM> to the open position as well as the fluid that continues to enter the valve <NUM> through inlet ports <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A pulse valve assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a main valve (<NUM>) including a cylindrical main valve body (<NUM>), a main valve bore (<NUM>) extending within the main valve body, and a main valve spool (<NUM>) slidingly disposed in the main valve bore for movement between a closed position and an open position; and
a pilot valve (<NUM>) configured to selectively move the main valve spool between the closed position and the open position,
wherein the main valve body includes a plurality of axially extending and laterally spaced apart inlet ports (<NUM>) located about a circumference of the cylindrical main valve body, a plurality of axially extending and laterally spaced apart outlet ports (<NUM>) located radially inward from the plurality of inlet ports, a pilot valve inlet passage (<NUM>), a normally closed pilot valve outlet passage (<NUM>), and a normally open pilot valve outlet passage (<NUM>) each disposed in fluid communication with the main valve bore;
the main valve body has a first pressure chamber (<NUM>) at one end of the main valve bore in fluid communication with the normally closed pilot valve outlet passage, and a second pressure chamber (<NUM>) at an opposite end of the main valve bore in fluid communication with the normally open pilot valve outlet passage;
the main valve spool includes a main valve member (<NUM>) configured to block fluid flow between the inlet ports and the outlet ports when the main valve spool is in the closed position and permit fluid flow from the inlet ports to the outlet ports when the main valve spool is in the open position;
the pilot valve is configured such that in a closed position of the pilot valve, fluid communication is permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally open pilot valve outlet passage, which pressurizes the second pressure chamber to maintain the main valve spool in the closed position to prevent fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port; and
the pilot valve is configured such that in an open position of the pilot valve, fluid communication is not permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally open pilot valve outlet passage, and is permitted between the pilot valve inlet passage and the normally closed pilot valve outlet passage, which pressurizes the first pressure chamber and depressurizes the second pressure chamber to move the main valve spool to the open position to permit fluid flow from the inlet ports to the outlet ports.