Patent ID: 7556062

Claim:
A solenoid operated valve, comprising: a valve body having a control port, a supply port, and an exhaust port formed therein; a solenoid that generates a magnetic force; an armature disposed inside the solenoid and that surrounds a portion of the valve body, wherein the armature is movable in response to the magnetic force along at least a portion of the valve body, the armature having an aperture that selectively couples the control port with at least one of the supply port and exhaust port to control a fluid force through the control port; a spring that applies a spring force on the armature, wherein a position of the armature is controlled by a combination of the magnetic force, the fluid force, and the spring force; and a housing having a casing that covers the solenoid, a first portion of the valve body, and the armature and a cover, wherein at least one of the casing and the cover is a magnetic pole in the valve, wherein the valve body has a second portion disposed outside the housing, and wherein the control port, supply port, and exhaust port each have an input opening disposed in the first portion for coupling with the armature and an output opening disposed in the second portion.