US3725747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proportioning solenoid
Assignee: Delaval Turbine California Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-17
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1992-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A solenoid and solenoid-actuated mechanism which is operated under conditions whereby the armature of the solenoid is controllably and variably movable by selected increments by the imposition of such current levels, with respect to armature mass and load forces acting thereon, so as to obtain high armature saturation and by the provision of a solenoid design that permits high magnetic leakage paths so that the armature displacement is a function of input control current which may in several embodiments include an interrupter or switching circuit. Hysteresis is beneficially influenced by the reduction of frictional resistance parameters to obtain high performance characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 A Cowan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01F; H01F7/00; H01F7/06; H01F7/08; H01F7/18; H01F7/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of operating solenoids and solenoid-actuated mechanism under comparatively linear armature response conditions comprising: a. energizing the solenoid at relatively high current levels with respect to the mass of the armature of the solenoid and load forces thereon and maintaining said levels within selected limits; b. providing high magnetic leakage paths for said solenoid; and c. selectively varying said current within said selected limits to obtain substantially linear response of said armature correlative to said current.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of operating solenoids and solenoid-actuated mechanism under comparatively linear armature response conditions comprising: a. energizing the solenoid at relatively high current levels with respect to the mass of the armature of the solenoid and load forces thereon and maintaining said levels within selected limits; b. providing high magnetic leakage paths for said solenoid; and c. selectively varying said current within said selected limits to obtain substantially linear response of said armature correlative to said current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in accordance With claim 1 wherein said current levels are within the near-linear areas of the force versus stroke solenoid curves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said high magnetic leakage paths are obtained through the provision of air gaps between said armature and the core of said solenoid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein additional high magnetic leakage paths are obtained by shading the diameter of said armature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in accordance with claim 4 which additionally includes varying the solenoid return spring characteristic in order to obtain said linear response.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein the current supply to the coil of said solenoid is discontinued about 50 to 60 times per second.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the armature is operated under dither conditions, the current impulse cycle urging said armature toward the open position and said solenoid return spring urging said armature toward the closing position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method in accordance with claim 4 which additionally includes obtaining said linear armature response under low mechanical resistance conditions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the coefficient of friction of the materials comprising said armature and said core are maintained at a minimum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said low mechanical resistance conditions are obtained by providing point contacts between armature and core of low frictional drag characteristics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a solenoid comprising a core; shiftable armature and actuating coil, the improvement which comprises means to establish high saturation losses during operation of said solenoid in order to obtain substantially linear response of said armature correlative to increase in current inputs to said coil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a solenoid comprising a core; shiftable armature and actuating coil, the improvement which comprises means to establish high saturation losses during operation of said solenoid in order to obtain substantially linear response of said armature correlative to increase in current inputs to said coil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 11 wherein said means comprises shaded areas on said armature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 12 which additionally includes a return armature spring adapted to provide a near-linear resistive force to the movement of said armature upon actuation of said solenoid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 13 wherein said shading to said armature comprises an annular groove formed in the end of said armature furthest from said core.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 14 which additionally includes the formation of a conical air gap between the core and armature end opposite said groove.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 15 which additionally includes circuitry to periodically energize said solenoid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 16 wherein said circuitry is located within the housing of said solenoid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 17 wherein said circuitry is an interrupter circuit utilizing said actuating coil of said solenoid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 17 wherein said circuitry is a switching circuit utilizing said actuating coil of said solenoid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 12 which additionally includes friction-reducing means to reduce the frictional drag between said core and said shiftable armature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 20 wherein said friction-reducing means comprises a micro-finish at the interface surfaces of said core and armature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 20 wherein said friction-reducing means comprises a sleeve of low-coefficient of friction material forming the core within which said shiftable armature is disposed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 22 wherein said sleeve is formed of a self-lubricating synthetic material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 20 wherein said friction-reducing means comprises spaced low-coefficient of material contact members forming a contracting surface between said armature and core of reduced frictional drag.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement in accordance wiTh claim 24 wherein said contact members are radially disposed plastic button members on the fore and aft ends of said armature.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement in accordance with claim 24 wherein said contact members are continuous, annular, plastic members on the fore and aft end of said armature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |