Patent ID: 6932317

Claim:
A diaphragm type solenoid fluid valve assembly of the class used in the on/off control of pressurized fluid flow, said valve assembly having a housing a solenoid, a solenoid end, said valve assembly comprising: a magnetized cylindrical armature engagingly coupled to said solenoid and residing within the hollow center of said solenoid, said armature comprising a rare earth magnet and further having a spring between said armature and an end of said solenoid, wherein said spring and armature are capable of linear motion within the fluid chamber of said valve housing and within the cylindrical plunger guide of said solenoid, said linear motion being controlled by the magnetic field of said solenoid and said spring so as to enable said magnetized armature to abut against the orifice fluid exit of the orifice plate to prevent fluid flow there-through; and a solenoid driver adapted to generate a pulse width modulated signal having two voltage levels other than zero volts, so as to control valve operation, wherein the first voltage level is to initiate movement of the magnetized armature, and wherein the second voltage level is to hold the magnetized armature in the energized position.