Patent ID: 7163188

Claim:
A solenoid operated valve comprising: an inlet; an outlet; a valve seat in the flow path between the inlet and outlet; a valve member having an end with a chamber opening therein and an engagement member; a stop positioned above the valve seat for engaging the valve member; a spring for biasing the valve member against the stop; a solenoid for moving the valve member against the bias of the spring away from the stop; a valve element that is movable relative to the valve member, the valve element having a shoulder that is received within the chamber opening and retained by the engagement member on the valve member; and a spring resiliently biasing the valve element into sealing engagement with the valve seat when the valve member is in its stopped position, whereby activation of the solenoid moves the valve member away from the stop and subsequently causes the engagement member on the valve member to engage the shoulder on the valve element and move the valve element away from the valve seat.