Patent ID: 7367543

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 approximate said chamber opening; a stop for engaging the valve member to thereby limit the travel of 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 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, wherein actuation of the solenoid moves the valve member away from the stop and causes the valve member to engage the shoulder of the valve element to move the valve element away from the valve seat.