Solenoid-actuated pilot valve

Claim 2

In a pilot-control valve the combination comprising: a fluidtight tube of nonmagnetic material; means defining an inlet port associated with one end of said tube and adapted to be connected to a source of relatively higher fluid pressure; means defining an outlet port associated with the other end of said tube and adapted to be connected to an environment of relatively lower pressure; a valve core of magnetic material slidably disposed within said tube and formed with an axial central bore and a plurality of radially offset fluid discharge ports connected to said bore; means defining a valve seat adjacent said outlet port and adapted to be closed by said valve core; and a solenoid surrounding said tube and effective when energized to lift said valve core away from said seat to permit the passage of fluid through said outlet port.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein said valve core carries a valve tip adapted to form a fluid-tight seal with said valve seat.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1 wherein said valve core carries a sleeve of high-permeability material that is effective to impart a slight impact to the core on energization of said solenoid.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 2 wherein said tip is hemispherical in shape and said seat is tapered to receive said tip.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 2 wherein said valve seat comprises a plastic material.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 3 wherein said sleeve comprises a pair of semicylindrical shells that surround said valve core, said shells having an axial length less than that of said core.

Claim 8

In a solenoid-actuated pilot-control valve having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a source of relatively higher fluid pressure and an outlet port adapted to be connected to a region of relatively lower pressure the combination comprising: a fluidtight central tube assembly including a tube of nonmagnetic material, and means defining inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends of said tube; magnetically responsive valve means disposed within said tube and effective to restrict the flow of fluid through said outlet port; a solenoid surrounding said tube assembly and effective when energized to create a magnetic field to operate said valve means; and a split-shell housing of a generally cylindrical configuration surrounding said solenoid and made of magnetic material and split into two parts along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of said solenoid whereby an efficient flux-return path for the magnetic field created by said solenoid is provided.

Claim 9

In a solenoid-actuated pilot-control valve having an inlet port adapted to be connected to a source of relatively higher fluid pressure and an outlet port adapted to be connected to a region of relatively lower pressure the combination comprising: a fluidtight central tube assembly including a tube of nonmagnetic material, and means defining inlet and outlet ports at opposite ends of said tube; magnetically responsive valve means disposed within said tube and effective to restrict the flow of fluid through said outlet port; a solenoid surrounding said tube assembly and effective when energized to create a magnetic field to operate said valve means; and a split-shell housing of a generally cylindrical configuration surrounding said solenoid and made of magnetic material and split into two parts along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of said solenoid whereby an efficient flux-return path for the magnetic field created by said solenoid is provided.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 7 including an enlarged washer of magnetic material disposed at each end of said solenoid within said housing to retain said solenoid and provide a still more efficient flux-return path.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 7 wherein said split-shell housing is in two halves with each half having an outwardly flared axial opening which in the valve forms an encircling shroud around said tube assembly.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 9 wherein: said halves are formed with outwardly flared axial opening at both of their axial ends and both forming encircling shrouds around said tube assembly; and means defining a circular recess surrounding said tube assembly and adapted to receive one of said encircling shrouds.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 9 including a circular retaining means adapted to be mounted in said tube assembly and formed with a circular recess for receiving the other encircling shroud to Thereby effectively clamp the two halves of said housing together.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 7 including: a mounting block for mounting said valve therein, said block having fluid passage means formed therein for communication with a fluid-pressure-responsive mechanism; threaded bore means formed in said mounting block for receiving said valve therein; and threaded retaining means surrounding said tube assembly and engaging said threaded bore means to secure said valve in said mounting block.

Claim 15

A pilot-control valve assembly comprising: a pair of solenoid-operated valves for controlling respectively the application of fluid pressure from a source to a fluid-pressure-responsive mechanism and the release of fluid pressure from the fluid-pressure-responsive mechanism; a valve-mounting block for securing said two valves therein, said mounting block having fluid passage means therein for communication with the fluid-pressure-responsive mechanism; said valves being secured in said mounting block in such a manner that the outlet of one of said valves and the inlet of the other of said valves are in fluid communication with said mounting-block fluid-passage means.

Claim 16

A pilot-control valve assembly comprising: a pair of solenoid-operated valves for controlling respectively the application of fluid pressure from a source to a fluid-pressure-responsive mechanism and the release of fluid pressure from the fluid-pressure-responsive mechanism; a valve-mounting block for securing said two valves therein, said mounting block having fluid passage means therein for communication with the fluid-pressure-responsive mechanism; said valves being secured in said mounting block in such a manner that the outlet of one of said valves and the inlet of the other of said valves are in fluid communication with said mounting-block fluid-passage means.

Claim 17

The pilot control valve assembly of claim 13 wherein said mounting block is formed with two bores for securing therein the outlet end of one of said valves and the inlet end of the other valve.

Claim 18

The pilot control valve assembly of claim 13 wherein: said mounting block is formed with two threaded bores for securing therein the outlet end of one of said valves and the inlet end of the other valve; and further including retaining nuts which surround the respective ends of said valves and are respectively threadably secured into said mounting block bores to secure said valves in said mounting block.

Claim 19

The pilot control valve assembly of claim 13 wherein: each valve includes a split-shell housing of a generally cylindrical configuration surrounding the solenoid of each valve and made of magnetic material and split along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the solenoid; and said mounting block is formed with two threaded bores for securing therein the outlet end of one of said valves and the inlet end of the other valve, and further includes retaining nuts which surround respectively said outlet end and said inlet end and are respectively threadably secured into said mounting block bores to secure said valves in said mounting block.

Claim 20

The combination of claim 2 wherein said tip is formed with an inverted cup cross section.