Patent ID: 8215611

Claim:
A solenoid valve, characterized by: a valve seat ( 6 , 7 ) configured to move between a closed position, a partially opened position and a fully opened position with respect to a valve orifice ( 10 ); an armature ( 4 ) configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the valve seat ( 6 , 7 ) and where the armature ( 4 ) is biased towards the first position by a biasing force acting against the valve seat ( 6 , 7 ); a valve body having a first fluid port (P 1 ) and a second fluid port (P 2 ) where the first fluid port (P 1 ) fluidly couples to a first side of the valve orifice ( 10 ) and the second fluid port (P 2 ) fluidly couples to second side of the valve orifice ( 10 ); a sealing member ( 8 ) attached to the valve seat ( 6 , 7 ) and forming a seal between the valve seat ( 6 , 7 ) and the valve body and where the sealing member ( 8 ) prevents fluid flow between the first fluid port (P 1 ) and the second fluid port (P 2 ) when the valve seat ( 6 , 7 ) is in the closed position; a magnetic circuit that, when energized, pulls the armature ( 4 ) from the first position to the second position; once the armature ( 4 ) reaches the second position, the magnetic circuit, using the armature ( 4 ), pulls the valve seat ( 6 , 7 ) from the closed position to the partially opened position; and once the valve seat ( 6 , 7 ) reaches the partially opened position, the biasing force moves the valve seat ( 6 , 7 ) to the fully opened position.