US4596271A — Fluid pressure device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 152 words

A magnetically controlled fluid valve comprised of: (a) a housing having an elongated cylindrical cavity; (b) an operating member axially movable in said cavity with one axial end defining with said cavity a closed control pressure chamber; (c) a controlled valve component operatively associated with said operating member and a valve port; (d) a high pressure passage and a separate low pressure passage, one communicating high pressure and the other low pressure, respectively, with said chamber, at least one of said passages moving with said member and radially opening outwardly into said chamber; (e) means restricting the flow of fluid through each of said passages, including a magnetically permeable control element movable within said control pressure chamber and operable when moved relative to said one passage to restrict or open same relative to the other passage; and (f) controllable magnetic means operable to position said element to desired positions within said chamber.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 152 words

A magnetically controlled fluid valve comprised of: (a) a housing having an elongated cylindrical cavity; (b) an operating member axially movable in said cavity with one axial end defining with said cavity a closed control pressure chamber; (c) a controlled valve component operatively associated with said operating member and a valve port; (d) a high pressure passage and a separate low pressure passage, one communicating high pressure and the other low pressure, respectively, with said chamber, at least one of said passages moving with said member and radially opening outwardly into said chamber; (e) means restricting the flow of fluid through each of said passages, including a magnetically permeable control element movable within said control pressure chamber and operable when moved relative to said one passage to restrict or open same relative to the other passage; and (f) controllable magnetic means operable to position said element to desired positions within said chamber.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

The valve of claim 1 including means for exerting a force on said operating member opposite to the force of pressure in the control chamber pressure.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

The valve of claim 2 wherein said force exerting means include an opposite end on said operating member of lesser area than said control pressure end and defining with said cavity a high pressure chamber.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 33 words

The valve of claim 3 wherein the area of said opposite end is one half the area of the end of said operating member exposed to the pressure in said control pressure chamber.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve component is the spool of a spool valve.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve component is a valve seat engaging surface.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said valve component is the spring in a spring pressure valve valve.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The valve of claim 2 wherein said valve component is a valve seat engaging surface.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

The valve of claim 4 wherein said valve component is the spool of a spool valve.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The valve of claim 4 wherein said valve component is a valve seat engaging surface.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 18 words

The valve of claim 4 wherein said valve component is a spring in a spring pressure controlled valve.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

The valve of claim 3 wherein said valve component is a valve seat engaging surface.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 33 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes an element extending into said control pressure chamber, and said control element is a sleeve closely surrounding said element and movable relative thereto.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a ported element extending into said control pressure chamber and said control element surrounds said ported element and is slidably supported in said chamber.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 30 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a ported element extending into said control pressure chamber, and said control element is slidably supported on said ported element.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 46 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a ported element extending into said control pressure chamber, and said control element surrounds said ported element and is movable relative to said inlet passage to open or close the communication of same to said chamber.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 39 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes an element extending into said control pressure chamber and said control element surrounds said element and is movable relative thereto to simultaneously open one and close the other passage.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 28 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said low pressure is restricted relative to said high pressure passage and said control element opens and closes said high pressure passage.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

The valve of claim 18 wherein said operating member is a piston and said low pressure passage is in the form of a plurality of square-edged orifices.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 46 words

The valve of claim 19 wherein said square-edged orifices are formed by a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves intersected by a longitudinally extending groove in the cylindrical surface of said piston, said piston being movable of sliding sealing engagement with surfaces in said operating member cavity.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

The valve of claim 18 wherein said low pressure passage includes a longitudinally extending passage in said piston having an orifice of smaller diameter.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a cylindrical element extending into said control pressure chamber having a cylindrical groove communicating with said one of said passages.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 40 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a cylindrical element extending into said control chamber and, said control element is in the form of a sleeve having an end adapted to overlap said one of said passages.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 78 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a cylindrical member extending into said control pressure chamber, said high and low pressure passages includes axially spaced ports in the side of said element, said control element is in the form of a sleeve having an inner surface at least in close spaced relationship with the surface of said cylindrical member, the length of said sleeve being such as to overlap both said ports a predetermined amount.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 42 words

The valve of claim 24 wherein a circumferentially extending groove intersects each of said ports and the ends of said control element groove are spaced a distance apart approximately equal in distance to the spacing of remote side walls of said ports.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 38 words

The valve of claim 3 wherein said operating member includes an element extending into said control pressure chamber and said at least one of said passages extends from adjacent an end of said element through said operating member.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 55 words

The valve of claim 3 wherein said operating member includes an element extending into said control pressure chamber and said inlet and outlet passages extend from adjacent an end of said element at least through said operating member, to communicate said inlet passage with said high pressure chamber and said outlet passage with low pressure.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 50 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes an element extending from one end into said control pressure chamber, an opposite end exposed to high pressure and an intermediate portion exposed to low pressure, the area of said opposite end being less than the area said one end.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 37 words

The valve of claim 28 wherein said low pressure passage extends from adjacent one end of said element through and to the low pressure surface of said operating member and means communicate said passage with low pressure.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 18 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said controllable magnetic means includes a solenoid surrounding said control pressure chamber.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 19 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein spring means bias said control element to a predetermined position in said chamber.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 18 words

The valve of claim 31 wherein said controllable magnetic means include a solenoid coil surrounding said control chamber.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 50 words

The valve of claim 32 wherein said controllable magnetic means include means for energizing said solenoid coil from a minimum current to create a force on said control element approximately equal to the initial bias force of said spring means to a maximum where said spring means are further stressed.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 39 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member has a recess in the side opposite from said control pressure chamber end and said controlled component is, a spring in said recess biasing a valve member to closed position.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 48 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a ported element extending into said control chamber, and said control element surrounds said ported element, means including a spring at each end of said control element biasing said control element to a mid position in said chamber.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 37 words

The valve of claim 35 including stop means spaced a distance apart slightly greater than the length of said control element, said bias means engaging said stops to space same from the end of said control element.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 37 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said controllable magnetic means include a pair of axially aligned solenoid coils surrounding said control pressure chamber, said coils being symmetrically positioned relative to the mid position of said control element.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 53 words

The valve of claim 37 including: (a) means for selectively energizing either of said solenoid coils with a variable D.C. voltage; and, (b) means for simultaneously energizing each of said coils with a pulsating D.C. dither voltage, the pulses to one coil being out of phase with the pulses to the other coil.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 33 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said control element has a narrow band of a diameter to fit closely against the walls of said cavity and has a slight taper toward one end.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 28 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said control element is in the form of a sleeve of magnetically permeable material having an outer coating of magnetically nonpermeable material.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 13 words

The valve of claim 40 wherein said magnetically non-permeable material is a plastic.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 37 words

The valve of claim 40 wherein said control element slidably engages the walls of said control chamber and has a predetermined clearance therewith and said magnetically non-permeable coating has a thickness at least twice said predetermined clearance.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 71 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said controlled component includes a valve seat engaging surface and said controllable magnetic means includes a solenoid coil and means surrounding said solenoid coil preventing the radiation of heat therefrom and means conducting the heat of fluid being handled by said valve to said coil, the heat conducted from said fluid being substantially greater than the heat generated by energizing currents in said solenoid coil.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 31 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said controlled component includes a valve seat engaging surface, said surface having a conical concave taper increasing in a direction away from the valve seat.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 50 words

The valve of claim 1 including a valve seat at one end of said cavity, said operating member including a tapered valve seat engaging surface extending beyond said valve seat, said inlet passage extending through the portion of said valve seat and said valve seat being of magnetically permeable material.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 47 words

The valve of claim 45 wherein said valve seat surrounds a generally closed recess and portions of said valve seat engaging surface extend into said recess and passages in the walls of said recess communicate the cavity to the inside of the cup adjacent the valve seat.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 22 words

The valve of claim 45 including means on the end of said operating member the flow of fluid toward said valve seat.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 17 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said high pressure passage communicates with said cavity through radial passages.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 72 words

The valve of claim 1 wherein said operating member includes: a ported element extending into said control pressure chamber; an end surface on said operating member forming with said cavity a high pressure chamber; said high pressure passage extends from adjacent an end of said ported element through said operating member and; and, means communicate the end of said passage opposite from the end of said element with said high pressure chamber.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 234 words

A fluid flow directional valve and comprised of: (a) a housing member having an elongated, generally closed cylindrical chamber therein; (b) a reduced diameter portion at one end of said chamber; (c) a control piston slidable in said chamber adjacent the opposite end thereof and forming a control pressure chamber; (d) high pressure and inlet/outlet ports and a low pressure port communicating with said chamber between said control piston and said reduced diameter end; (e) a valve spool in said chamber and movable to selectively communicate said inlet/outlet ports and the other inlet/outlet port with low pressure, (f) a pressure piston member associated with said spool and slidable in sealed relationship with the walls of said reduced diameter chamber; (g) said control piston being operably associated with said spool; (h) a ported element associated with said control piston extending into said control pressure chamber having at least one radially opening port; (i) passages in said spool, pressure piston and control piston and ported element communicating inlet pressure to said port; (j) an outlet passage communicating said control pressure chamber to low pressure; (k) a control element in said control pressure chamber movable relative to said port to restrict the communication of said inlet passage to said control chamber relative to communication of the outlet passage to said control chamber; and (l) magnetic means for moving said control element to fixed positions in said chamber.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 234 words

A fluid flow directional valve and comprised of: (a) a housing member having an elongated, generally closed cylindrical chamber therein; (b) a reduced diameter portion at one end of said chamber; (c) a control piston slidable in said chamber adjacent the opposite end thereof and forming a control pressure chamber; (d) high pressure and inlet/outlet ports and a low pressure port communicating with said chamber between said control piston and said reduced diameter end; (e) a valve spool in said chamber and movable to selectively communicate said inlet/outlet ports and the other inlet/outlet port with low pressure, (f) a pressure piston member associated with said spool and slidable in sealed relationship with the walls of said reduced diameter chamber; (g) said control piston being operably associated with said spool; (h) a ported element associated with said control piston extending into said control pressure chamber having at least one radially opening port; (i) passages in said spool, pressure piston and control piston and ported element communicating inlet pressure to said port; (j) an outlet passage communicating said control pressure chamber to low pressure; (k) a control element in said control pressure chamber movable relative to said port to restrict the communication of said inlet passage to said control chamber relative to communication of the outlet passage to said control chamber; and (l) magnetic means for moving said control element to fixed positions in said chamber.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 53 words

The valve of claim 50 wherein said ported element is a rod and a groove in the surface of said rod intersects said inlet passage port and said control is a sleeve surrounding said rod and having portions which overlap said port and restrict communication of said groove to said control pressure chamber.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 49 words

The valve of claim 51 wherein said sleeve includes a groove in its inner surface and means communicating said groove to the outer surface, said sleeve groove adapted to be moved relative to said ported element groove for controlling communication of said inlet passage to said control pressure chamber.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 92 words

The valve of claim 50 including a pair of axially aligned solenoid coils surrounding said control element and means biasing said control element so as to be centered relative to said coils, said means including stops in the surface of said control chamber spaced a distance just greater than the length of said control element, washer means adjacent each end of said control element and adapted to engage said stops and be in close spaced relationship to the ends of said control element and spring means biasing said washers against said stops.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 57 words

The valve of claim 50 wherein said control element has a predetermined length, spacer members adjacent each end of said control element and spring means biasing said spacer members toward the ends of said control element and stop means in said chamber holding same apart a distance at least equal to the length of said control element.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 230 words

An electrically controlled valve comprising in combination: an elongated housing having a generally elongated cylindrical chamber therein closed at one end; a valve seat forming member surrounding said chamber at the open end; sealing means on the outer surface of said housing adjacent said valve seat; an outlet port in said housing a valve piston slidable in said chamber and having a valve seat engaging surface adapted to engage said valve seat; the diameter of said piston being greater than the diameter of said valve seat; said piston dividing said chamber into a control pressure chamber adjacent said closed end and a low pressure chamber adjacent said outlet port; a ported element extending from said piston into said control pressure chamber; a port in the surface of said ported element; a passage communicating said port with said valve seat engaging surface whereby high pressure is communicated to said port; a restricted passage associated with said piston communicating the control pressure chamber with the low pressure chamber; and, a control element slidable in said chamber and movable to restrict said port, spring means biasing said control member to a predetermined position in said chamber, said control element being formed at least in part of magnetically permeable material, and magnetic means external of said housing for moving said control element against said spring bias to fixed positions in said control pressure chamber.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 230 words

An electrically controlled valve comprising in combination: an elongated housing having a generally elongated cylindrical chamber therein closed at one end; a valve seat forming member surrounding said chamber at the open end; sealing means on the outer surface of said housing adjacent said valve seat; an outlet port in said housing a valve piston slidable in said chamber and having a valve seat engaging surface adapted to engage said valve seat; the diameter of said piston being greater than the diameter of said valve seat; said piston dividing said chamber into a control pressure chamber adjacent said closed end and a low pressure chamber adjacent said outlet port; a ported element extending from said piston into said control pressure chamber; a port in the surface of said ported element; a passage communicating said port with said valve seat engaging surface whereby high pressure is communicated to said port; a restricted passage associated with said piston communicating the control pressure chamber with the low pressure chamber; and, a control element slidable in said chamber and movable to restrict said port, spring means biasing said control member to a predetermined position in said chamber, said control element being formed at least in part of magnetically permeable material, and magnetic means external of said housing for moving said control element against said spring bias to fixed positions in said control pressure chamber.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 63 words

The valve of claim 55 wherein said control element has a bore having a surface in sliding sealed relationship with the surface of said ported element, the base of said bore having a restricted opening restrictively communicating the inside of said bore with said control pressure chamber; and passages in the sides of said element for communicating said element ports to said chamber.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 246 words

A pressure relief valve comprised of: a housing member having a pressure chamber closed at one end; a high pressure inlet port surrounded by a valve seat of a predetermined diameter at the other end; and a low pressure outlet port adjacent said valve seat; a valve member movable in said chamber and having a valve seat engaging surface on one end; a spring operatively associated with said valve member to bias said valve seat engaging surface into engagement with said valve seat; an operating member movable in and dividing said chamber into a control pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber having a pressure surface on one end exposed to pressures in a control chamber at the other end of said housing, a second surface of lesser area exposed to pressures in said inlet port and a third surface exposed to low pressure, said operating member coacting with said spring when it moves as a result of pressures in control chamber to change the bias of said spring on said valve member; a first passage in said operating member communicating inlet pressure to said control chamber; a second passage communicating said control chamber to low pressure; and, magnetically actuated means movable to fixed positions in said housing operable to restrict communication of one passage to said control chamber relative to the other when said operating member moves relative thereto as a result of pressures in its pressure chamber whereby controlling the bias of said spring.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 246 words

A pressure relief valve comprised of: a housing member having a pressure chamber closed at one end; a high pressure inlet port surrounded by a valve seat of a predetermined diameter at the other end; and a low pressure outlet port adjacent said valve seat; a valve member movable in said chamber and having a valve seat engaging surface on one end; a spring operatively associated with said valve member to bias said valve seat engaging surface into engagement with said valve seat; an operating member movable in and dividing said chamber into a control pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber having a pressure surface on one end exposed to pressures in a control chamber at the other end of said housing, a second surface of lesser area exposed to pressures in said inlet port and a third surface exposed to low pressure, said operating member coacting with said spring when it moves as a result of pressures in control chamber to change the bias of said spring on said valve member; a first passage in said operating member communicating inlet pressure to said control chamber; a second passage communicating said control chamber to low pressure; and, magnetically actuated means movable to fixed positions in said housing operable to restrict communication of one passage to said control chamber relative to the other when said operating member moves relative thereto as a result of pressures in its pressure chamber whereby controlling the bias of said spring.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 21 words

The valve of claim 57 including magnet means external of said housing and adjustable to position said element in said housing.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 25 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein said magnet means is a solenoid coil adapted to be energized from a remote variable source of electric power.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 52 words

The valve of claim 57 including a ported element movable with said operating member, said inlet passage opens radially from said element into said control chamber and said magnetically actuated element includes a sleeve of magnetically permeable material surrounding said ported element and operable to restrict the outlet of said radial passage.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 55 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein said ported element has a circumferential groove in its surface, said radial passage opens to said groove, and said sleeve and groove coact to form a valve from said high pressure to said pressure chamber which is varied by movement of said operating member relative to said control element.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 14 words

The valve of claim 59 wherein said source has at least an AC component.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 99 words

The valve of claim 60 wherein said valve member has a passage therethrough from said cavity to said cylinder and element extending from said pressure surface into said control pressure chamber, and said operating member and element having a passage from said cylinder through a port in the side of said element, said control element being in the form of a magnetically permeable sleeve movable to fixed positions in said housing and operable to restrict said port when said operating member moves relative thereto, and adjustable magnetic means external of said housing for positioning said sleeve in said housing.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 19 words

The valve of claim 63 wherein said outlet passage is a restricted passage including a plurality of square-edged orifices.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 66 words

The valve of claim 64 wherein said operating member is a piston slidable in said housing and said square-edged orifices are comprised of a plurality of cylindrical grooves in the surface of said piston and a longitudinal passage on the surface of said piston intersecting said grooves, said passage communicating at one end with said contro pressure chamber and at the other end with low pressure.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 50 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein said valve member piston is slidable in said operating member cylinder of an area less than the area of said valve seat, and a groove in its outer surface, and an O-ring seal in said groove and sealingly engaging a surface of said cylinder.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 79 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein said valve seat engaging surface is exposed to inlet pressure, said valve seat is in the shape of a cone and said valve seat engaging surface is arcuate and on the other end, the radius of curvature of the arcuate surface and the angle of divergence of the cone being such that the diameter of the engaging line of the two surfaces is greater than the diameter of the valve member pressure surface.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 33 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein said operating member is a cylindrical piston having a cylindrical chamber therein coaxial with its outer surface and said valve member is slidable in said piston chamber.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 25 words

The valve of claim 68 wherein stop means are provided in said housing for limiting the movement of said piston in a spring compressing direction.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 26 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein spring means in said control pressure chamber bias said magnetic member to a position where said inlet passage is unrestricted.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 24 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein the housing, at least for the control pressure chamber, is at least in part of magnetically non-permeable material.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 35 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein the housing for the control pressure chamber is at least in part of magnetically non-permeable material and said control element is at least in part of magnetically permeable material.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 113 words

The valve of claim 57 wherein said cavity is at one end of said housing and is surrounded by a valve seat of a predetermined diameter; said outlet port is adjacent said valve seat and is through a side wall of said housing, said valve member piston is movable in said cylinder and has a pressure surface exposed to inlet pressure; an O-ring seal between opposed surfaces of said valve member piston and said cylinder; said piston pressure surface and said O-ring having a diameter less than the diameter of said valve seat and said pressure spring is a compression spring biasing said valve seat engaging surface into engagement with said valve seat.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 173 words

A fluid flow control valve comprised of: a housing having a pressure chamber therein; a first port on the axis of said chamber; a valve seat of a predetermined diameter surrounding said port; a second port adjacent said first port; a valve piston movable in said chamber and operable to move a valve seat engaging surface into and out of engagement with said valve seat; said piston having a pressure surface exposed to an opposite end of said chamber; pressures in said end biasing said valve piston to the valve closed position; a first passage associated with said valve piston and movable with said valve piston communicating high pressure fluid to said pressure chamber; a second passage communicating said pressure chamber to low pressure; a magnetically sensitive member in said housing and movable by means of an external magnetic field to fixed positions in said housing and operable to restrict the communication of one passage relative to the other passage as said piston moves relative thereto because of pressures on its pressure surfaces.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 173 words

A fluid flow control valve comprised of: a housing having a pressure chamber therein; a first port on the axis of said chamber; a valve seat of a predetermined diameter surrounding said port; a second port adjacent said first port; a valve piston movable in said chamber and operable to move a valve seat engaging surface into and out of engagement with said valve seat; said piston having a pressure surface exposed to an opposite end of said chamber; pressures in said end biasing said valve piston to the valve closed position; a first passage associated with said valve piston and movable with said valve piston communicating high pressure fluid to said pressure chamber; a second passage communicating said pressure chamber to low pressure; a magnetically sensitive member in said housing and movable by means of an external magnetic field to fixed positions in said housing and operable to restrict the communication of one passage relative to the other passage as said piston moves relative thereto because of pressures on its pressure surfaces.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 39 words

The valve of claim 74 wherein said magnetically sensitive member is movable relative to said piston and has a portion adapted to be moved partly across a port of one of said passages as said piston moves relative thereto.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 52 words

The valve of claim 74 wherein said member is of magnetically sensitive material, said housing surrounding said pressure chamber is at least in part of magnetically non-permeable material, and an electrical coil is disposed around said housing and member whereby when energized to move said member to desired positions in said housing.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 38 words

The valve of claim 74 wherein said member includes a sleeve movable relative to said piston and operable to restrict the flow of fluid in said first passage and means for selectively positioning said sleeve in said housing.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 66 words

The valve of claim 77 wherein said sleeve is of magnetically permeable material, said piston and at least part of said housing are of magnetically non-permeable material and an electric coil is positioned externally of said housing and operable when energized to selectively move said sleeve to preselected positions in said housing to restrict the communication of one passage to said chamber relative to the other.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 50 words

The valve of claim 74 wherein said second passage is comprised of a plurality of circumferential grooves in the sealing surface of said piston and an axially extending groove intersecting said circumferential grooves and communicating at one end with said pressure chamber and the other end with said outlet port.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 239 words

A fluid flow control valve including a housing having a chamber therein; a high pressure inlet port on one axial end of said chamber; a low pressure outlet port radially through the side of said chamber; said housing at least adjacent to the end opposite from said inlet port being of at least in part magnetically non-permeable material; a valve seat surrounding said inlet port; a piston slidable in said chamber and having a valve seat engaging surface associated with one end thereof and an oppositely facing pressure surface defining with said housing chamber a pressure chamber; said pressure surface being larger in area than the area defined by said valve seat whereby inlet pressure on said pressure surface will bias said valve piston to the valve closed position; the improvement which comprises: a ported element movable with said piston; a pressure inlet passage in said piston and element communicating inlet pressure to said pressure chamber through a side of said element; an outlet passage restricted relative to said inlet passage communicating said pressure chamber to said outlet port whereby there can be a relatively unrestricted continuous flow of fluid into said chamber and a relatively restricted flow of fluid out; a member in said pressure chamber and selectively movable relative to said housing to restrict the flow of fluid from said inlet passage to said pressure chamber; and, means externally of said housing arranged to move said member.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 239 words

A fluid flow control valve including a housing having a chamber therein; a high pressure inlet port on one axial end of said chamber; a low pressure outlet port radially through the side of said chamber; said housing at least adjacent to the end opposite from said inlet port being of at least in part magnetically non-permeable material; a valve seat surrounding said inlet port; a piston slidable in said chamber and having a valve seat engaging surface associated with one end thereof and an oppositely facing pressure surface defining with said housing chamber a pressure chamber; said pressure surface being larger in area than the area defined by said valve seat whereby inlet pressure on said pressure surface will bias said valve piston to the valve closed position; the improvement which comprises: a ported element movable with said piston; a pressure inlet passage in said piston and element communicating inlet pressure to said pressure chamber through a side of said element; an outlet passage restricted relative to said inlet passage communicating said pressure chamber to said outlet port whereby there can be a relatively unrestricted continuous flow of fluid into said chamber and a relatively restricted flow of fluid out; a member in said pressure chamber and selectively movable relative to said housing to restrict the flow of fluid from said inlet passage to said pressure chamber; and, means externally of said housing arranged to move said member.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 22 words

The improvement of claim 80 wherein said member is of magnetically sensitive material and said means is a source of magnetic flux.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 18 words

The improvement of claim 80 wherein said means is a solenoid surrounding at least portions of said housing.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 28 words

The improvement of claim 80 wherein said member is a sleeve surrounding said element and said inlet passage communicates to the pressure chamber through a radially opening passage.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 36 words

The improvement of claim 80 wherein said means comprises a solenoid externally of said housing and having an axial center line spaced from the normal axial center line of said sleeve away from said valve seat.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 15 words

The improvement of claim 80 wherein said passage comprises a circumferential groove in said element.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 28 words

The improvement of claim 82 including heat insulating means surrounding said solenoid whereby the temperature of said solenoid will generally be equal to the temperature of said fluid.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 88 words

The valve of claim 80 including a valve seat forming member generally in the shape of a cup with the lip of the cup forming the valve seat and the outside of the base of the cup facing high pressure, a plurality of inlet ports through the walls of said cup exiting into said cup adjacent the valve seat, said valve seat member being of magnetically permeable material, said valve seat engaging surface being on said valve piston being conical with the nose thereof extending into said cup.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 19 words

The valve of claim 87 wherein the valve seat engaging surface of said valve piston has a concave taper.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 35 words

The valve of claim 13 wherein the element operating element is a separate member attached to said operating member in such a way as to be slightly movable radially in relation to said operating member.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 16 words

The valve of claim 89 wherein the radial movement is accomplished by using pliant sealing means.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 12 words

The valve of claim 90 wherein said pliant sealing means are O-rings.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 246 words

A flow control valve comprising in combination: a. a housing having an elongated cavity therein; b. a high pressure inlet port at one end of said cavity surrounded by a valve seat; c. an outlet port from said cavity adjacent said valve seat; d. a low pressure port from said cavity spaced from said outlet port; e. a valve piston movable in said cavity, including a first end extending through said inlet port and having a valve seat engaging surface, and a second end defining with other end of said cavity a control pressure chamber; f. first means on said piston between said outlet port and said low pressure port in sealing engagement with a surface of said cavity; g. second means on said piston between said low pressure port and said control pressure chamber in sliding sealing engagement with a surface of said cavity; h. a ported stem extending from one end of said piston into said control pressure chamber; i. a radially opening port in the side of said stem communicating through said stem and piston with the inlet port; j. an outlet port in said stem communicating to the surface of said piston between said sealing means, and thus to low pressure; k. a control element surrounding said stem and of a length to at least partially restrict said inlet and outlet ports in said stem; and, l. means for moving said control element to restrict one passage while unrestricting the other passage.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 246 words

A flow control valve comprising in combination: a. a housing having an elongated cavity therein; b. a high pressure inlet port at one end of said cavity surrounded by a valve seat; c. an outlet port from said cavity adjacent said valve seat; d. a low pressure port from said cavity spaced from said outlet port; e. a valve piston movable in said cavity, including a first end extending through said inlet port and having a valve seat engaging surface, and a second end defining with other end of said cavity a control pressure chamber; f. first means on said piston between said outlet port and said low pressure port in sealing engagement with a surface of said cavity; g. second means on said piston between said low pressure port and said control pressure chamber in sliding sealing engagement with a surface of said cavity; h. a ported stem extending from one end of said piston into said control pressure chamber; i. a radially opening port in the side of said stem communicating through said stem and piston with the inlet port; j. an outlet port in said stem communicating to the surface of said piston between said sealing means, and thus to low pressure; k. a control element surrounding said stem and of a length to at least partially restrict said inlet and outlet ports in said stem; and, l. means for moving said control element to restrict one passage while unrestricting the other passage.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 45 words

The valve of claim 92 wherein; a. the portion of said valve piston extending through said inlet port includes a radially opening high pressure inlet port; and, b. a nose on the end of said piston deflecting fluid flowing towards said port radially away therefrom.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 140 words

A fluid pressure energized valve comprising in combination: a. a valve member and piston slidable in a cavity, said piston having an axial bore and counterbore therein; b. a ported stem having one end in said bore and extending from said piston, said stem having a pair of axially spaced, axially oppositely facing surfaces and a pair of axially spaced radially facing surfaces; c. said piston having a pair of opposed axially facing surfaces spaced so as to be in opposed relationship to said oppositely facing surfaces; d. the outer diameters of said radially facing surfaces being slightly less than the diameters of said bores and flexible sealing means between said radially facing surfaces and the surfaces of said bores; and e. means operatively associating said valve member with said piston whereby movement of said piston controls said valve member.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 140 words

A fluid pressure energized valve comprising in combination: a. a valve member and piston slidable in a cavity, said piston having an axial bore and counterbore therein; b. a ported stem having one end in said bore and extending from said piston, said stem having a pair of axially spaced, axially oppositely facing surfaces and a pair of axially spaced radially facing surfaces; c. said piston having a pair of opposed axially facing surfaces spaced so as to be in opposed relationship to said oppositely facing surfaces; d. the outer diameters of said radially facing surfaces being slightly less than the diameters of said bores and flexible sealing means between said radially facing surfaces and the surfaces of said bores; and e. means operatively associating said valve member with said piston whereby movement of said piston controls said valve member.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 21 words

The combination of claim 94 wherein said oppositely facing surfaces are segments of a sphere having a common center of curvature.

Claim 104

Dependent Claim 24 words

The combination of claim 95 wherein said spaced surfaces are conical having an included angle so as to be tangent with said spherical surfaces.

Claim 105

Dependent Claim 17 words

The combination of claim 95 wherein said spherical surfaces have a self adhering dried liquid anti-friction coating.

Claim 106

Dependent Claim 19 words

The combination of claim 95 wherein said spherical and conical surfaces have a self adhering dried liquid anti-friction coating.

Claim 107

Dependent Claim 44 words

The combination of claim 96 wherein said flexible sealing means include two axially spaced sealing rings, the sealing ring on the end of the stem defining an area less than the area defined by the sealing ring remote from the end of the stem.

Claim 108

Dependent Claim 33 words

The combination of claim 96 wherein the area defined by the sealing ring on the end of the stem is between one half to three-fourths the area defined by the other sealing ring.

Claim 109

Dependent Claim 35 words

The combination of claim 100 wherein the external diameter of the sealing ring adjacent the end is between 3/4 to 7/8 of the diameter of the sealing ring remote from the end of the stem.

Claim 110

Dependent Claim 107 words

In a fluid pressure valve, the combination of: a. a piston movable as a result of fluid pressures thereon; b. a cylindrical stem movable with said piston and having a pair of axially spaced radially opening ports; c. a sleeve on said stem having an inner surface in sliding partially sealed relationship with the outer surface of said stem, the length of said sleeve being slightly longer than the spacing of said ports, whereby the sleeve when symmetrically positioned relative to said ports partially restricts said ports; d. a valve port; and, e. a valve member movable with said piston and movable relative to said valve port.

Claim 111

Dependent Claim 107 words

In a fluid pressure valve, the combination of: a. a piston movable as a result of fluid pressures thereon; b. a cylindrical stem movable with said piston and having a pair of axially spaced radially opening ports; c. a sleeve on said stem having an inner surface in sliding partially sealed relationship with the outer surface of said stem, the length of said sleeve being slightly longer than the spacing of said ports, whereby the sleeve when symmetrically positioned relative to said ports partially restricts said ports; d. a valve port; and, e. a valve member movable with said piston and movable relative to said valve port.

Claim 112

Dependent Claim 36 words

The valve of claim 102 including a pair of circumferentially extending grooves intersecting said radial ports on the adjacent side surfaces thereof and the ends of said sleeve restrict the flow of fluid through said ports.

Claim 113

Dependent Claim 50 words

The valve of claim 102 including wherein a pair of circumferentially extending grooves intersecting said ports on the remote sides thereof and said sleeve has radial ports therethrough with the adjacent side surfaces of said ports being spaced a greater distance apart than the remote side surfaces of said grooves.

Claim 114

Dependent Claim 46 words

The valve of claim 102 wherein said sleeve has a groove in its inner surface of a width just less than the axial spacing of the adjacent side surfaces of said ports and a radial passage in said sleeve communicating said groove externally of said sleeve.

Claim 115

Dependent Claim 177 words

A linear servovalve comprised of: a. a controlled pressure chamber and a contiguous operating chamber; b. passages to and from said controlled pressure chamber communicating both high and low pressure thereto; c. a valve port; d. an operating piston slidable in said operating chamber and operatively associated with a valve member movable relative to said port; e. means biasing the piston toward the controlled pressure chamber; f. a rod protruding from said operating piston and extending into said controlled pressure chamber and having at least one port in its side communicating one of said passages to said controlled pressure chamber; g. a control element in said controlled pressure chamber in the form of a sleeve surrounding said rod and operable when moved relative to said rod to open or restrict at least said one port relative to the other passage and vary the pressure in said controlled pressure chamber whereby the operating piston is capable of sensing its position relative to the position of said control element in said controlled pressure chamber and controlling said valve member.

Claim 116

Dependent Claim 177 words

A linear servovalve comprised of: a. a controlled pressure chamber and a contiguous operating chamber; b. passages to and from said controlled pressure chamber communicating both high and low pressure thereto; c. a valve port; d. an operating piston slidable in said operating chamber and operatively associated with a valve member movable relative to said port; e. means biasing the piston toward the controlled pressure chamber; f. a rod protruding from said operating piston and extending into said controlled pressure chamber and having at least one port in its side communicating one of said passages to said controlled pressure chamber; g. a control element in said controlled pressure chamber in the form of a sleeve surrounding said rod and operable when moved relative to said rod to open or restrict at least said one port relative to the other passage and vary the pressure in said controlled pressure chamber whereby the operating piston is capable of sensing its position relative to the position of said control element in said controlled pressure chamber and controlling said valve member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1989-06-23	1989-12-23	1990-06-24	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1993-06-23	1993-12-23	1994-06-24	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1997-06-23	1997-12-23	1998-06-24	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fluid pressure device

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