Abstract A magnetically actuated pilot valve for fluid control systems which can direct a fluid pressure for operating a device or it can connect said device to drain. The magnetically actuated pilot valve includes a top and bottom section with fluid pressure entering the top section, a connection to drain extending from the bottom section, and a connection to a device to be operated enters a chamber between the two parts; an armature plate, rectangular-shaped or circular, is movable between two positions, one position closing off the fluid pressure, while the other position closes off the connection to drain; the armature plate is drawn to one position by energizing a wire coil whose magnetic flux path is connected to two pole pieces for actuation of the armature plate, while a spring means biases the armature plate to its other position when the wire coil is de-energized; one end of the armature plate is maintained close to one pole piece to minimize the air gap in the magnetic flux path for high resultant pull on the armature plate. While three connections are set forth above, the device can be used with two connections as an open-closed valve. In another modification, a magnetized armature plate can be used with a direct current supply. A U-shaped metallic member can be located on the opposite side of said armature plate from said pole pieces to aid in armature movement and for latching the armature in the dump closed position without the use of a spring means. A single pole modification is also shown.
A magnetically actuated pilot valve having a housing, said housing having two parts, means connecting said two parts together, a chamber being located between said two parts, a first passage having a first opening into said chamber from one part thereof, an armature plate positioned in said chamber against said first opening to close said first opening, pole piece means extending into said chamber toward said armature plate, said pole piece means having a spacing with the armature plate when it is against said first opening, a second passage having a second opening into said chamber, spring means for biasing said armature plate against said first opening, said pole piece means including two pole pieces extending into said chamber toward the same side of said armature plate, each pole piece having a free end, the free end of one of said pole pieces being located closer to one location on the edge of the armature plate when it is positioned in said chamber against said first opening to close said first opening than the free end of the other pole piece which is spaced further from another location on the edge of the armature plate when it is positioned in said chamber against said first opening to close said first opening, means for magnetically energizing said pole piece means to move said armature plate away from said first opening and against the free ends of said two pole pieces, said pole piece means being formed as a permanent magnet for latching the armature plate, means for magnetically energizing said pole piece means to overpower the magnetic flux flow of said permanent magnet to release the armature plate so that said armature plate will be placed against said first opening by said biasing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
293 words
A magnetically actuated pilot valve having a housing, said housing having two parts, means connecting said two parts together, a chamber being located between said two parts, a first passage having a first opening into said chamber from one part thereof, an armature plate positioned in said chamber against said first opening to close said first opening, pole piece means extending into said chamber toward said armature plate, said pole piece means having a spacing with the armature plate when it is against said first opening, a second passage having a second opening into said chamber, spring means for biasing said armature plate against said first opening, said pole piece means including two pole pieces extending into said chamber toward the same side of said armature plate, each pole piece having a free end, the free end of one of said pole pieces being located closer to one location on the edge of the armature plate when it is positioned in said chamber against said first opening to close said first opening than the free end of the other pole piece which is spaced further from another location on the edge of the armature plate when it is positioned in said chamber against said first opening to close said first opening, means for magnetically energizing said pole piece means to move said armature plate away from said first opening and against the free ends of said two pole pieces, said pole piece means being formed as a permanent magnet for latching the armature plate, means for magnetically energizing said pole piece means to overpower the magnetic flux flow of said permanent magnet to release the armature plate so that said armature plate will be placed against said first opening by said biasing means.