Patent ID: 7717130

Claim:
A fluid control valve comprising: an annular-shaped spool comprising multiple axially-spaced circumferential spool sealing features; a housing comprising an annular-shaped spool cavity in which the spool is received so as to be capable of axial movement within the spool cavity between first and second spool positions, the housing having multiple axially-spaced circumferential housing sealing features configured and disposed within the spool cavity so that: with the spool in the first spool position, fluid flow is enabled through the spool cavity, the fluid flow being enabled axially between the circumferential spool sealing features and the circumferential housing sealing features, which are sized and configured to provide axial force balancing of the spool; and with the spool in the second spool position, the circumferential spool sealing features and the circumferential housing sealing features cooperate to substantially prevent fluid flow through the spool cavity.