EP0263346A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Two-way fluid valve
Assignee: BorgWarner Transmission Systems Monaco SAM
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Filing: 1987-09-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A valve suitable for a vehicle suspension unit - in order to achieve slow quiet discharges, quick charges and long isolation periods, when required, such as would be desirable in cars having variable suspension height - a restricted discharge conduit (11, 6) is automatically bypassed in one direction only by a wider conduit (15, 9), according to the sense of the pressure difference. The long isolation periods are desirable since, if a vehicle is left parked in public for two weeks, it would be unsightly if its suspension collapsed (even though operation would immediately pump it up again). Accordingly the passage (11) participating in said restricted discharge is also used to apply the high pressure of the suspension unit to force a valve flap (8) tight against its seating (21). Only one solonoid actuation is needed, ie to initiate the slow quiet total discharge or softening of the suspension.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice De Raco
- 👤 Elio Parola
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/06; F16K31/0644; F16K31/0655; B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/005; B60G17/02; B60G17/04; B60G17/056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A two port (herein designated an "input" port (9) for a utilization device (30) and an "output" port for a discharge source (31A) and a charging source (31B)) fluid valve comprising; control means (1-5) to open or close a restrictive passage (6) between the ports; and a valve flap (8) arranged automatically but conditionally to open a relatively non-restrictive passage (15) between the ports, ie only when the pressure at the "input" port (16) does not exceed that at the "output" port by more than a threshold margin, but at other times to maintain it closed, the automatic arrangement including:- an always open, moderately restricted passage (10), less restrictive than said restrictive passage (6, 14), between the input port (9) and a pressure-sensing space (13) contiguous with the flap (8); wherein said space tends to adopt a pressure determined by that prevailing at the input port (9); said space is so located that pressure of fluid thereat exerts a closing force on the flap tending to close the relatively non-restrictive passage (15) between the ports; and said flap is subjected at a portion thereof (20) to an opening force derived from the pressure at the time prevailing at the ouput port (16).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A two port (herein designated an "input" port (9) for a utilization device (30) and an "output" port for a discharge source (31A) and a charging source (31B)) fluid valve comprising; control means (1-5) to open or close a restrictive passage (6) between the ports; and a valve flap (8) arranged automatically but conditionally to open a relatively non-restrictive passage (15) between the ports, ie only when the pressure at the "input" port (16) does not exceed that at the "output" port by more than a threshold margin, but at other times to maintain it closed, the automatic arrangement including:- an always open, moderately restricted passage (10), less restrictive than said restrictive passage (6, 14), between the input port (9) and a pressure-sensing space (13) contiguous with the flap (8); wherein said space tends to adopt a pressure determined by that prevailing at the input port (9); said space is so located that pressure of fluid thereat exerts a closing force on the flap tending to close the relatively non-restrictive passage (15) between the ports; and said flap is subjected at a portion thereof (20) to an opening force derived from the pressure at the time prevailing at the ouput port (16).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fluid valve according to claim 1, wherein the non-restrictive passage (15) is dimensioned to be consistent with the remainder of the most direct conduit-ways in the valve between the ports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A fluid valve according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said moderately restrictive passage (10) is located between a guide portion (11) of the valve body and the flap (8) along a region transverse to the flap as regards its opening and closing movements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A fluid valve according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the relatively non-restrictive passage (15) is located such as to exert said opening force on the flap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A fluid valve according to claims 1-4, wherein the control means operates a needle and seat closure of the restrictive passage and the opening flap abuts a fixed abutment (24) of the valve body housing, whereby to limit opening movements from causing needle-and-seat contact other than when said control means commands closure of the restrictive passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A fluid valve according to claim 5, wherein the abutment and flap are arranged, eg by groovings or other shapings, so as not to inhibit fluid passage to and at said sensing space (13).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A fluid valve according to any of claims 1-6, the valve being mounted on a fluid-pressurized suspension unit of a vehicle and having its "input port" (9) connected to the fluidway of the suspension and its "output" port connected to a fluid pressure selecting system (31A or 31B), for providing (a) a normal long-term fluid tightness or, under control of said valve control means (1-5), (b) facility of either an initial low-rate and a delayed high rate discharge, or (c) a low-loss charge of the suspension unit, eg by hydraulic oil fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Vehicle having multiple such suspension units (30) as 7, and a respective such valve intermediate each unit and a common pressure fluid supply and cut-off system (31).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Vehicle having multiple such suspension units (30) as 7, and a respective such valve intermediate each unit and a common pressure fluid supply and cut-off system (31).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method of operation, allowing that, when the output port pressure (31B) is relatively high, charging the suspension unit (30) is charged by reliance only on said fluid opening force, and not on said control means (1-5).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method of operation, allowing that, when the output port pressure (31B) is relatively high, charging the suspension unit (30) is charged by reliance only on said fluid opening force, and not on said control means (1-5).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A vehicle according to claims 7, 8 or 9 and operable exactly as defined by paragraphs A-E hereinbefore.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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