Solenoid construction

Claim 2

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type for use with hydraulic valves comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, said armature tube having an armature chamber therein, an armature positioned in said armature chamber of said tube for axial sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, fluid passage means extending through said stop into said chamber and fluid passage means extending through said armature for fluid flow from one part of said chamber to another through said armature.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the armature tube is made of a semiaustenitic material treated to be magnetic in the two sections thereof adjacent the yoke and to be nonmagnetic in a section thereof between said two sections.

Claim 4

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type for use with hydraulic valves comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings and having an armature chamber therein, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said chamber of said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, and fluid passage means in said armature for fluid flow into and out of said chamber through said armature.

Claim 5

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type for use with hydraulic valves comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings and having an armature chamber therein, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said chamber of said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, and fluid passage means in said armature for fluid flow into and out of said chamber through said armature.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said yoke is substantially rectangular and comprises a plurality of stamped laminations lying in a plane parallel to the axis of the solenoid, said yoke having two short end walls and two longer sidewalls and wherein said yoke opening is a circular opening and wherein said armature tube is cylindrical and is connected to said yoke at said single circular opening in said yoke.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the tube is made of semiaustenitic material treated to be magnetic in one section adjacent the yoke and nonmagnetic in a section adjacent the coil.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said yoke includes a central, axial, laminated extension extending inwardly of said coil opening and extending part way through said coil opening.

Claim 9

An armature for a solenoid comprising a stack of individual, flat, laminations, parallel to the armature axis, said stack having a cylindrical outer surface concentric to the armature axis and a cylindrical, metal sleeve tightly fitting on said surface over at least a portion of the axial length of said stack.

Claim 10

An armature for a solenoid comprising a stack of individual, flat, laminations, parallel to the armature axis, said stack having a cylindrical outer surface concentric to the armature axis and a cylindrical, metal sleeve tightly fitting on said surface over at least a portion of the axial length of said stack.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to claim 7 including an armature pull pin connected to said sleeve.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said sleeve includes a first, very thin portion extending over that length of said armature positioned inside of the solenoid.

Claim 13

A hollow, solenoid armature tube made of semiaustenitic material treated to be magnetic in one section and nonmagnetic in a second section thereof.

Claim 14

A hollow, solenoid armature tube made of semiaustenitic material treated to be magnetic in one section and nonmagnetic in a second section thereof.

Claim 15

In an AC solenoid including an annular coil and an axially movable armature therein movable across a working gap when the coil is energized, the improvement wherein the ratio of the coil length to the length of the working gap is between about 3 and 6.

Claim 16

In an AC solenoid including an annular coil and an axially movable armature therein movable across a working gap when the coil is energized, the improvement wherein the ratio of the coil length to the length of the working gap is between about 3 and 6.

Claim 17

In a low-pressure AC solenoid of the armature-in-tube type including a yoke, a coil in the yoke, an armature tube inside the coil and yoke, and an armature movably mounted in the armature tube, the improvement wherein said armature tube is all magnetic, heat treated to increase its strength, and has a wall thickness of about 0.014 inch.

Claim 18

In a low-pressure AC solenoid of the armature-in-tube type including a yoke, a coil in the yoke, an armature tube inside the coil and yoke, and an armature movably mounted in the armature tube, the improvement wherein said armature tube is all magnetic, heat treated to increase its strength, and has a wall thickness of about 0.014 inch.

Claim 19

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, an armature positioned in said tube for axial sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, and wherein the ratio of the length of the coil to the length of the working gap is between about 3 and 6.

Claim 20

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, an armature positioned in said tube for axial sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, and wherein the ratio of the length of the coil to the length of the working gap is between about 3 and 6.

Claim 21

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, an armature positioned in said tube for axial sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, and wherein said yoke includes slots to prevent the circulation of eddy currents in paths concentric to the solenoid axis.

Claim 22

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, an armature positioned in said tube for axial sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, and wherein said yoke includes slots to prevent the circulation of eddy currents in paths concentric to the solenoid axis.

Claim 23

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, an armature positioned in said tube for axial siding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, and wherein said armature includes a thin slot therethrough parallel to the solenoid axis, the depth of the slot being at an angle to the solenoid axis to provide a solid, central portion for contacting said pushpin.

Claim 24

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, an armature positioned in said tube for axial siding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, and wherein said armature includes a thin slot therethrough parallel to the solenoid axis, the depth of the slot being at an angle to the solenoid axis to provide a solid, central portion for contacting said pushpin.

Claim 25

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, an armature positioned in said tube for axial sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, and including a manual override positioned adjacent the top end of said tube and including an override button connected to an override pushrod, said pushrod being movable into contact with said armature for manually moving said armature to its energized position, and wherein said fluid seal means comprises an O-ring seal in sealing engagement with said override pushrod.

Claim 26

A push solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having a pair of openings in opposed sidewalls of said yoke, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said pair of openings, a hollow armature tube extending through said pair of openings in said yoke and also through said central opening, an armature positioned in said tube for axial sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, a stop connected to a bottom end of said tube and having an axial bore extending therethrough, a pushpin positioned against said armature and extending exteriorly of said solenoid through said bore in said stop, means for sealing the top end of said armature tube against leakage of fluid therefrom, and including a manual override positioned adjacent the top end of said tube and including an override button connected to an override pushrod, said pushrod being movable into contact with said armature for manually moving said armature to its energized position, and wherein said fluid seal means comprises an O-ring seal in sealing engagement with said override pushrod.

Claim 27

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, and wherein said closed end of said armature tube is positioned immediately adjacent the inside surface of the other sidewall of said yoke.

Claim 28

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, and wherein said closed end of said armature tube is positioned immediately adjacent the inside surface of the other sidewall of said yoke.

Claim 29

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, and wherein the ratio of the length of said coil to the length of the working gap is between about 3 and 6.

Claim 30

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, and wherein the ratio of the length of said coil to the length of the working gap is between about 3 and 6.

Claim 31

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, wherein said yoke includes a central, axial, laminated extension extending inwardly of said coil opening and extending part way through said coil opening, wherein said armature is solid and includes a slot parallel to the axis of the solenoid for reducing the circulation of eddy currents therethrough, and wherein the top end of said armature is in line with the inner surface of the bottom sidewall of the yoke, when the armature is in its ''''normal'''' position.

Claim 32

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, wherein said yoke includes a central, axial, laminated extension extending inwardly of said coil opening and extending part way through said coil opening, wherein said armature is solid and includes a slot parallel to the axis of the solenoid for reducing the circulation of eddy currents therethrough, and wherein the top end of said armature is in line with the inner surface of the bottom sidewall of the yoke, when the armature is in its ''''normal'''' position.

Claim 33

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, wherein said armature comprises a cylindrical stack of flat, individual laminations, parallel to the axis of said solenoid, and including a sleeve tightly fitting over at least a portion of the axial length of said stack to hold said laminations together.

Claim 34

A pull solenoid of the armature-in-tube type comprising a laminated yoke having a coil window therein and having an opening in a bottom sidewall only thereof, an annular coil positioned in said coil window, said coil having a central opening therethrough concentric with said opening in said yoke, a hollow armature tube positioned in said openings, said tube being open at a bottom end thereof adjacent said opening in said one sidewall of said yoke and being closed at the top end thereof adjacent the other sidewall of said yoke, an armature positioned in said tube for sliding movement therein responsive to energization of said coil, wherein said armature comprises a cylindrical stack of flat, individual laminations, parallel to the axis of said solenoid, and including a sleeve tightly fitting over at least a portion of the axial length of said stack to hold said laminations together.

Claim 35

The apparatus according to claim 20 including an armature pull pin connected to said sleeve.

Claim 36

The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said sleeve includes a first, very thin portion extending over that length of said armature positioned inside of said yoke.

Claim 37

The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said sleeve also includes a second thicker portion covering that length of said armature that remains outside of said yoke.

Claim 38

An armature for a solenoid comprising a stack of individual laminations, parallel to the armature axis, and a sleeve tightly fitting over at least a portion of the axial length of said stack, wherein said sleeve includes a first, very thin portion extending over that length of said armature positioned inside of the solenoid, and wherein said sleeve also includes a second thicker portion covering that length of said stack that remains outside of said solenoid.

Claim 39

An armature for a solenoid comprising a stack of individual laminations, parallel to the armature axis, and a sleeve tightly fitting over at least a portion of the axial length of said stack, wherein said sleeve includes a first, very thin portion extending over that length of said armature positioned inside of the solenoid, and wherein said sleeve also includes a second thicker portion covering that length of said stack that remains outside of said solenoid.