US4610428A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hermetically sealed electromagnetic solenoid valve
Assignee: BorgWarner Automotive Electronic and Mechanical Systems Corp
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Filing: 1985-10-30
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Granted: 1986-09-09
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Expires: 2005-10-30
Abstract
Abstract An electromagnetic valve assembly for fluid flow control is disclosed wherein the fluid flow through the assembly is hermetically sealed. The assembly provides a means to calibrate the power (i.e., voltage or amperage) level where fluid will flow through the valve at a predetermined pressure differential across the armature. The calibration means includes an annular washer with cam-like segments at its outer edge which segments cooperate with slots of a housing to define an air gap, that may be varied over the range defined by the cam-like segment. The assembly, the annular washer, housing, central core and armature cooperate to provide an electromagnetic flux path. The relative magnitude or strength of this flux path provides control of the armature to seal flow through such valve assembly, which magnetic strength is in part a function of the air gap distance at a given power input and fluid pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence D. Fox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:06
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/02; F16K31/06; F16K31/0644; F16K31/0655; H; H01; H01F; H01F7/00; H01F7/06; H01F7/08; H01F7/16; H01F7/1638
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
346 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly comprising: a magnetic central core with an outer wall, a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a protuberance extending beyond and smaller in diameter than said lower surface, said magnetic central core defining a longitudinal through-bore extending through said protuberance, said lower surface and said upper surface; a non-magnetic insert positioned in said through-bore at said upper surface to define a non-magnetic seat at said upper surface and through-bore, said central core further defining at least one longitudinal passage in relative proximity to said outer wall communicating from said upper surface to said lower surface; said non-magnetic seat and upper surface being coplanar; an armature positioned and movable atop said upper surface to seal flow through said through-bore and longitudinal passage; a blind-hole, non magnetic tube having a tube wall and defining a blind-hole passage with a sealed end and an open end; said core positioned in said tube, said core upper surface and tube wall cooperating to define an operating chamber; a bias spring positioned in said operating chamber between said armature and tube sealed end to bias said armature to contact and seal said through-bore and longitudinal passage; a magnetic housing having a sidewall with an upper edge and a bottom wall with a bore therethrough, which bottom wall and sidewall cooperate to define a cup-shaped enclosure, said sidewall further defining at least one slot at its upper edge; means for establishing the flow of electromagnetic flux through a flux path, which means includes an electrical winding and a bobbin cooperating to define a passage therethrough, said winding and bobbin positioned in said housing enclosure; said tube projecting through said housing bottom wall bore and said electrical winding passage to protrude beyond said bobbin and winding; said assembly further comprising an annular washer with an opening and an outer edge defining at least one cam-like segment; said annular washer positioned on and movable about said protruding tube with said cam-like segment cooperating with said housing upper edge slot to define a variable air gap therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
346 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly comprising: a magnetic central core with an outer wall, a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a protuberance extending beyond and smaller in diameter than said lower surface, said magnetic central core defining a longitudinal through-bore extending through said protuberance, said lower surface and said upper surface; a non-magnetic insert positioned in said through-bore at said upper surface to define a non-magnetic seat at said upper surface and through-bore, said central core further defining at least one longitudinal passage in relative proximity to said outer wall communicating from said upper surface to said lower surface; said non-magnetic seat and upper surface being coplanar; an armature positioned and movable atop said upper surface to seal flow through said through-bore and longitudinal passage; a blind-hole, non magnetic tube having a tube wall and defining a blind-hole passage with a sealed end and an open end; said core positioned in said tube, said core upper surface and tube wall cooperating to define an operating chamber; a bias spring positioned in said operating chamber between said armature and tube sealed end to bias said armature to contact and seal said through-bore and longitudinal passage; a magnetic housing having a sidewall with an upper edge and a bottom wall with a bore therethrough, which bottom wall and sidewall cooperate to define a cup-shaped enclosure, said sidewall further defining at least one slot at its upper edge; means for establishing the flow of electromagnetic flux through a flux path, which means includes an electrical winding and a bobbin cooperating to define a passage therethrough, said winding and bobbin positioned in said housing enclosure; said tube projecting through said housing bottom wall bore and said electrical winding passage to protrude beyond said bobbin and winding; said assembly further comprising an annular washer with an opening and an outer edge defining at least one cam-like segment; said annular washer positioned on and movable about said protruding tube with said cam-like segment cooperating with said housing upper edge slot to define a variable air gap therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetic core lower surface includes a collar positioned about the perimeter of said lower surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said collar is integral with said magnetic central core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insert is brass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said magnetic core at its upper surface perimeter defines a wall with a diameter smaller than its outer wall diameter with a shoulder between said smaller diameter and outer wall diameter, a non-magnetic collar closely encompassing said smaller diameter, which non-magnetic collar is coplanar with said upper surface and non-magnetic insert seat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said non-magnetic collar is brass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said armature is a flat disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said flat disc armature defines slots therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein said flat disc armature defines a scalloped edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said annular washer with at least one cam-like segment defines at least one hole therethrough to provide a means to rotate said washer about said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a retaining washer which defines a central passage and a spring like, sloped collar about said central passage, said retaining washer receiving said protruding tube through said central passage to contact and retain said annular washer in position with said sloped collar.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said annular washer is secured in position by adhesive means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said annular washer is secured in position by a weldment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an annular flange positioned about said tube at said housing bottom wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said annular flange is a separate annular flange defining an aperture to receive said tube and central core.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said annular flange is integral with said tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said annular flange is integral with said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A hermetically sealed valve assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said annular flange is of a magnetic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A hermetically sealed valve assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said annular flange is of a nonmagnetic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
A hermetically sealed electromagnetic valve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said armature is operable between a reference position sealing flow through said through bore and said longitudinal passage, and a variable open position to control fluid flow and pressure differential between said through bore and longitudinal passage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
202 words
An electromechanical valve assembly comprising: an electrical winding; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment defining at least one longitudinal passage and a central fluid passage, and having a first surface, an outer segment, and a top segment, at least one of said segments being movable to adjust the extent of an air gap adjacent the movable segment; a non-magnetic seat member, having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near, one end of said central fluid passage; a magnetic closure armature member, positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat member; and a non-magnetic member defining a blind-hole passage to receive said armature and said cylindrical center segment, said armature with said magnetic segments completing a flux path, such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the central fluid passage and seat member central opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, movement of the adjustable segment being effective to vary the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux path, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding and given pressure difference.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
202 words
An electromechanical valve assembly comprising: an electrical winding; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment defining at least one longitudinal passage and a central fluid passage, and having a first surface, an outer segment, and a top segment, at least one of said segments being movable to adjust the extent of an air gap adjacent the movable segment; a non-magnetic seat member, having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near, one end of said central fluid passage; a magnetic closure armature member, positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat member; and a non-magnetic member defining a blind-hole passage to receive said armature and said cylindrical center segment, said armature with said magnetic segments completing a flux path, such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the central fluid passage and seat member central opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, movement of the adjustable segment being effective to vary the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux path, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding and given pressure difference.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein said cylindrical central segment further defines a second surface which second surface includes a non-magnetic collar positioned about the perimeter of said second surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein said non-magnetic seat member is brass.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein said non-magnetic collar is provided about said cylindrical central segment perimeter at said first surface which non-magnetic collar is coplanar with said first surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein said non-magnetic collar is brass.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein said armature is a flat disc armature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein said flat disc armature defines slots therethrough.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein said flat disc armature defines a scalloped edge.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 21 and further comprising a blind-hole, non-magnetic tube with a sealed end, an open end and a passage to receive said cylindrical center segment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 29 wherein said non-magnetic tube and said first surface cooperate to define an operating chamber; said armature positioned in said operating chamber; a bias spring positioned in said operating chamber between said armature and said tube sealed end to bias said armature to contact and seal said central fluid passage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 30 including a magnetic housing defining an enclosure having a sidewall, an upper edge and a bottom wall with a bore therethrough, said sidewall defining at least one slot at its upper edge which slot and top segment cooperate to define a variable air gap therebetween.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electromechanical valve assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein said armature is operable between a reference position sealing flow through said central fluid passage and said longitudinal passage, and a variable open position to control fluid flow and pressure differential between said central fluid passage and said longitudinal passage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-08 | 1990-03-10 | 1990-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-08 | 1994-03-10 | 1994-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-08 | 1998-03-10 | 1998-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |