Patent ID: 7828265

Claim:
A flow control valve comprising: a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a valve seat in a flow path between the inlet and the outlet; a valve member movable in a first direction towards the valve seat to a position of engagement with a stop, and in a second direction away from the valve seat towards a stationary core, the valve member having an opening in an end of the valve member; a valve element slidably received within the opening in the valve member, the valve element being configured to sealingly engage the valve seat; a spring for biasing the valve member towards a first position where fluid flows through the valve seat to the outlet, in which position the valve element is in engagement with the valve seat, and the valve member is in a position of engagement with the stop that prevents the valve member from impacting against the valve element in engagement with the valve seat; and a solenoid that, when energized, causes the valve member to move towards a second position where fluid flows through the valve seat to the outlet, in which position the valve element is spaced apart from the valve seat.