← Back to Patent Explorer
US4524947A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Proportional solenoid valve

Assignee: Eaton Corp
•
Filing: 1982-11-30
•
Granted: 1985-06-25
•
Expires: 2002-11-30
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A normally closed spool type solenoid-controlled valve which changes its opening in proportion to the amount of current supplied to the solenoid. The spool which blocks the valve opening in an overlapping relation is held in a closed position by a dual spring design having differing spring rates wherein the lighter spring holds the spool in an overlapping closed position.

Inventors

  • 👤 Pierre D. Barnes
  • 👤 Maynard W. Marts

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 12:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/06; F16K31/0644; F16K31/0651; F16K31/0655; F16K31/0658

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 179 words
A normally closed two way proportional solenoid-operated valve assembly including: a body having a bore therein; a lateral passage in the bore; a spool slidably positioned in the bore overlapping the lateral passage in the closed position and forming a variable opening with the lateral passage in various open positions; an armature means attached to said spool for positioning the spool and controlling the valve opening; a pole piece means in the body positioned adjacent the armature forming an air gap therebetween; a first spring means having a predetermined spring rate urging the armature and spool toward the overlapping closed position; a second spring means having a lesser spring rate than the first spring means positioned in series with the first spring means urging the armature and spool toward the overlapping closed position; coil means operable to produce a circuit of electromagnetic flux line flow and provide a variable attractive force between the armature and pole piece to overcome the second spring means and the first spring means in sequence with intermediate positions of the armature and spool therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 179 words
A normally closed two way proportional solenoid-operated valve assembly including: a body having a bore therein; a lateral passage in the bore; a spool slidably positioned in the bore overlapping the lateral passage in the closed position and forming a variable opening with the lateral passage in various open positions; an armature means attached to said spool for positioning the spool and controlling the valve opening; a pole piece means in the body positioned adjacent the armature forming an air gap therebetween; a first spring means having a predetermined spring rate urging the armature and spool toward the overlapping closed position; a second spring means having a lesser spring rate than the first spring means positioned in series with the first spring means urging the armature and spool toward the overlapping closed position; coil means operable to produce a circuit of electromagnetic flux line flow and provide a variable attractive force between the armature and pole piece to overcome the second spring means and the first spring means in sequence with intermediate positions of the armature and spool therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 including an adjustable stop means aligned with the second spring means positioned to block further compression of second spring means as the spool begins to open the lateral passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second spring means are concentrically aligned in series.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second spring means are compresson springs concentrically aligned in series with relative spring rates such that the second spring means will fully deflect before the first spring means begins to deflect.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 82 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 including an adjustable stop means aligned with the second spring means positioned to block further compression of second spring means as the spool begins to open the lateral passage, and wherein the first and second spring means are compression springs concentrically aligned in series and separated by a plunger member having an extension which contacts the stop means as the spool begins to open the lateral passage, thereby terminating the compression of the second spring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 including an adjustable stop means positioned adjacent the second spring means preventing the second spring means from further compression as the spool begin to open the lateral passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 45 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second spring means are compression springs concentrically aligned in series inside the pole piece with relative spring rates such that the second spring means will fully deflect before the first spring mean begins to deflect.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the spool includes a longitudinal passage means therein providing equal pressure forces on opposite ends of the spool.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2436992A Cited
US2987293A Cited
US3100103A Cited
US3220184A Cited
US3684238A Cited
US3788597A Cited
US3970282A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-06-24 1988-12-24 1989-06-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-06-24 1992-12-24 1993-06-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-06-24 1996-12-24 1997-06-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag