Patent ID: 8375973

Claim:
A one-piece metal orifice tube ( 130 ) adapted for use in a solenoid valve ( 100 ), with the one-piece metal orifice tube ( 130 ) comprising: a metal tube portion ( 131 ) including a proximal end ( 140 ) and a distal end ( 142 ), with the distal end ( 142 ) being adapted to extend into an electromagnet bore ( 103 ) of an electromagnet ( 102 ) of the solenoid valve ( 100 ); an orifice end ( 132 ) formed in the proximal end ( 140 ), with the orifice end ( 132 ) including an orifice ( 133 ) that is smaller in diameter than a tube inside diameter D of the metal tube portion ( 131 ) and with the metal tube portion ( 131 ) being adapted to slidably receive at least a portion of an armature of a solenoid valve, wherein in operation the armature contacts an edge of the orifice ( 133 ) and substantially blocks and unblocks the orifice ( 133 ), with the orifice end ( 132 ) comprising a portion of the metal tube portion ( 131 ) that has been deformed to extend at least partially inwardly and with at least a portion of the orifice end ( 132 ) curling back toward the distal end ( 142 ) and forming a substantially rounded annular portion ( 136 ), with the substantially rounded annular portion ( 136 ) contacting and substantially fitting to a corresponding seal or surface; and one or more side ports ( 138 ) formed in the orifice tube ( 130 ), wherein retraction of the armature allows fluid flow between the orifice ( 133 ) and the one or more side ports ( 138 ).