Patent ID: 7106158

Claim:
A solenoid-actuated valve comprising: a coil assembly having a bobbin defining an axial channel having a first end and a second end, a coil wrapped around the bobbin and electrically connected to multiple terminals such that the coil can be selectively energized, and a flux path bracket attached to the bobbin; an armature slidably disposed in the axial channel, the armature having an elastomeric end portion; a pole piece fixedly attached to the flux path bracket, the pole piece extending into the first end of the axial channel; a valve seat disposed in the second end of the axial channel wherein the armature is slidably retained in the axial channel between the valve seat and the pole piece, wherein the valve seat has a first aperture; a second aperture disposed through the bobbin to the axial channel; and a biasing means that biases the armature toward the valve seat such that the elastomeric end portion of the armature sealingly engages the first aperture, wherein when the coil is energized, a magnetic field is generated that magnetically urges the armature away from the valve seat such that the elastomeric end portion of the armature moves away from the valve seat and the first aperture is fluidly connected to the second aperture, and further wherein the flux path bracket comprises a pair of U-shaped flux path halves, each flux path half having a notch that engages a channel in the pole piece such that the flux path halves cooperatively retain the pole piece in a desired position.