Patent ID: 7367636

Claim:
A solenoid valve for use in a heavy vehicle pneumatic system, the valve having an exit flow passage and comprising: a) a solenoid coil assembly comprising a pole piece and controllable to produce a magnetic field when energized; b) a valve seat defining an inlet flow passage, wherein the valve seat defines a plane at an angle between about 6 degrees and less than 35 degrees from an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the inlet flow passage; c) an armature having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end defines a cavity within which a spherical shaped elastomeric seal is disposed, said first end including a generally conical nose that retains said spherical shaped elastomeric seal within said cavity; said spherical shaped elastomeric seal configured to engage said valve seat and elastically deform to block air flow through said inlet flow passage; and d) a spring engaged around an exterior of said armature that resiliently biases said armature toward said valve seat when said solenoid coil assembly is de-energized; e) wherein said coil assembly displaces said armature to an open position away from said valve seat and toward said pole piece to allow air flow through said inlet flow passage to said exit flow passage as a function of whether said coil assembly is energized.