Patent ID: 7503346

Claim:
A three-way solenoid actuated pilot valve, comprising: a solenoid having a piston with a laterally extending piston head connected to a shaft longitudinally reciprocable through a bore in an end of the solenoid and a first port with a first end opening through the end of the solenoid laterally spaced from the bore so that it is sealed and unsealed by the piston head upon reciprocation of the piston; and a pilot valve housing for receiving the end of the solenoid and defining a pilot valve chamber between the end of the solenoid and the pilot valve housing, the pilot valve housing having a second port that communicates with the pilot valve chamber and is located so that it is sealed and unsealed by the piston head upon reciprocation of the piston, and a third port formed in the pilot valve housing that also communicates with the pilot valve chamber.