Proportional solenoid valve

Claim 2

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment adjacent a first end of said fluid passage, at least one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and the adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a cylindrical guide adjacent said non-magnetic seat member to receive said magnetic closure means and to constrain the motion thereof substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said fluid passage between a position against said annular non-magnetic seat member and a position displaced therefrom; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given pressure difference.

Claim 3

The electromechanical valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for accessing comprises a portion of the means defining a chamber, whereby the relative pressure can be utilized for control purposes.

Claim 4

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment adjacent a first end of said fluid passage, at least one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and the adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given pressure difference; said means for accessing comprises displacement means forming a part of said chamber wherein the position of said displacement means if related to said relative pressure.

Claim 5

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment adjacent a first end of said fluid passage, at least one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and the adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given pressure difference; said means for accessing comprises displacement means forming a part of said chamber wherein the position of said displacement means if related to said relative pressure.

Claim 6

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment adjacent a first end of said fluid passage, at least one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and the adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given pressure difference; said means for accessing comprises control means including the displacement means forming a part of the means defining a chamber and a fluid flow control means responsive to the displacement thereof.

Claim 7

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment adjacent a first end of said fluid passage, at least one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and the adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given pressure difference; said means for accessing comprises control means including the displacement means forming a part of the means defining a chamber and a fluid flow control means responsive to the displacement thereof.

Claim 8

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, an outer segment, and an end segment adjacent one end of said fluid passage, at least one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and the adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having one end extending from said chamber, said fluid passage, fluid opening, fluid chamber and fluid conduit means defining a fluid path whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between the other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber, restriction means in said fluid path restricting the flow therethrough, said restriction means having an effective cross section less than the cross sections of said fluid passage and conduit means and less than the cross section of said fluid opening for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given pressure difference.

Claim 9

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, an outer segment, and an end segment adjacent one end of said fluid passage, at least one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and the adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having one end extending from said chamber, said fluid passage, fluid opening, fluid chamber and fluid conduit means defining a fluid path whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between the other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber, restriction means in said fluid path restricting the flow therethrough, said restriction means having an effective cross section less than the cross sections of said fluid passage and conduit means and less than the cross section of said fluid opening for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given pressure difference.

Claim 10

The electromechanical valve apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for accessing comprises a portion of the means defining a chamber, whereby the relative pressure may be utilized for control purposes.

Claim 11

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, an outer segment, and an end segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near a first end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber, said fluid conduit means including restriction means, said restriction means having an effective cross section area substantially smaller than said cross sectional area of said fluid passage, whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between the other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber.

Claim 12

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, an outer segment, and an end segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near a first end of, the fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber, said fluid conduit means including restriction means, said restriction means having an effective cross section area substantially smaller than said cross sectional area of said fluid passage, whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between the other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber.

Claim 13

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment, an outer segment and an end segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a cylindrical guide adjacent said non-magnetic seat member to receive said magnetic closure means and to constrain the motion thereof substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said fluid passage between a position against said annular non-magnetic seat member and a position displaced therefrom; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber, said fluid conduit means including restriction means, said restriction means having an effective cross sectional area substantially smaller than said cross sectional area of said fluid passage; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber.

Claim 14

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment, an outer segment and an end segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a cylindrical guide adjacent said non-magnetic seat member to receive said magnetic closure means and to constrain the motion thereof substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said fluid passage between a position against said annular non-magnetic seat member and a position displaced therefrom; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber, said fluid conduit means including restriction means, said restriction means having an effective cross sectional area substantially smaller than said cross sectional area of said fluid passage; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber.

Claim 15

The electromechanical valve apparatus of claim 8 wherein a fluid conduit means having a restricted area substantially smaller in cross section than said cross sectional area is connected to said chamber.

Claim 16

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, an outer segment, and an end segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage, the area defined by said central opening being substantially greater than said cross sectional area of said fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber.

Claim 17

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, an outer segment, and an end segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage, the area defined by said central opening being substantially greater than said cross sectional area of said fluid passage; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber.

Claim 18

The electromechanical valve apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for accessing the relative pressure in the fluid chamber is an opening in said means defining the fluid chamber.

Claim 19

The electromechanical valve apparatus of claim 1 adapted for use with a pressure responsive device wherein said means for accessing the relative pressure in the fluid chamber is a conduit adapted for communication between said fluid chamber and said pressure responsive device.

Claim 20

The electromechanical valve apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for accessing the relative pressure in the fluid chamber is an opening in said means defining the fluid chamber.

Claim 21

The electromechanical valve apparatus of claim 7 adapted for use with a pressure responsive device wherein said means for accessing the relative pressure in the fluid chamber is a conduit adapted for communication between said fluid chamber and said pressure responsive device.

Claim 22

An electromechanical valve assembly comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment adjacent one end of said fluid passage; non-magnetic seat means at the other end of said fluid passage and having an axially extending portion defining a central opening aligned with the fluid passage and a seat portion at the other end of said fluid passage and surrounding said axially extending portion; the relative axial positions of said center segment and said axially extending portion being adjustable whereby the spacing between said other end and said seat portion is adjusted; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat portion to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; and fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat means central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, the relative adjustment of said axially extending portion and said center segment varying the effective magnetic air gap and thus vary the reluctance of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given differential pressure.

Claim 23

An electromechanical valve assembly comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment adjacent one end of said fluid passage; non-magnetic seat means at the other end of said fluid passage and having an axially extending portion defining a central opening aligned with the fluid passage and a seat portion at the other end of said fluid passage and surrounding said axially extending portion; the relative axial positions of said center segment and said axially extending portion being adjustable whereby the spacing between said other end and said seat portion is adjusted; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat portion to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; and fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said other end of said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat means central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, the relative adjustment of said axially extending portion and said center segment varying the effective magnetic air gap and thus vary the reluctance of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given differential pressure.

Claim 24

An electromechanical valve assembly comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including at least one generally cylindrical center segment, and an end segment, at least one of said generally cylindrically center segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said generally cylindrically center segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and an adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central fluid passage generally aligned with said flux axis and having a predetermined cross sectional area; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat means to define a fluid opening radially outward from said fluid passage, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; and fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage, against the closure means and through said fluid opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the effective air gap and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given differential fluid pressure.

Claim 25

An electromechanical valve assembly comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit defining a flux path comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including at least one generally cylindrical center segment, and an end segment, at least one of said generally cylindrically center segments being physically translatable within said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust the portion of one of said generally cylindrically center segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable segment and an adjacent segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central fluid passage generally aligned with said flux axis and having a predetermined cross sectional area; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat means to define a fluid opening radially outward from said fluid passage, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; and fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber whereby a differential fluid pressure can be applied between said fluid passage and the other end of said fluid conduit means; said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage, against the closure means and through said fluid opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary the portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the effective air gap and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given differential fluid pressure.

Claim 26

An electromechanical valve assembly comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments; including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment; non-magnetic seat means having an axially extending portion defining a central opening aligned with the fluid passage and a seat portion at the other end of said fluid passage and surrounding said axially extending portion; the relative axial positions of said center segment and said axially extending portion being adjustable within said valve assembly along said flux path to adjust an effective air gap defined by said seat portion; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat portion to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat means central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber.

Claim 27

An electromechanical valve assembly comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments; including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, and outer segment, and an end segment; non-magnetic seat means having an axially extending portion defining a central opening aligned with the fluid passage and a seat portion at the other end of said fluid passage and surrounding said axially extending portion; the relative axial positions of said center segment and said axially extending portion being adjustable within said valve assembly along said flux path to adjust an effective air gap defined by said seat portion; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat portion to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat means central opening and against the closure means can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; and means for accessing the relative pressure in said chamber.

Claim 28

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including at least one generally cylindrical center segment, and outer segment and an end segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central fluid passage generally aligned with said flux axis having a predetermined cross sectional area; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat means to define a fluid opening radially outward from said fluid passage, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage, against said closure means and through said opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a cylindrical guide adjacent said non-magnetic seat member to receive said magnetic closure means and to constrain the motion thereof substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said fluid passage between a position against said annular non-magnetic seat member and a position displaced therefrom; and means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber, restriction means communicating with said fluid conduit means, said restriction means having an effective cross section substantially less than said fluid passage.

Claim 29

An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; a magnetic flux circuit comprising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including at least one generally cylindrical center segment, and outer segment and an end segment; an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central fluid passage generally aligned with said flux axis having a predetermined cross sectional area; magnetic closure means comprising one of said segments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat means to define a fluid opening radially outward from said fluid passage, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means, said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage, against said closure means and through said opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding; means defining a cylindrical guide adjacent said non-magnetic seat member to receive said magnetic closure means and to constrain the motion thereof substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said fluid passage between a position against said annular non-magnetic seat member and a position displaced therefrom; and means defining a fluid chamber communicating with said fluid passage through said fluid opening and enclosing said closure means; fluid conduit means having a first end extending from said chamber, restriction means communicating with said fluid conduit means, said restriction means having an effective cross section substantially less than said fluid passage.

Claim 30

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 15 including restriction means communicating with said fluid conduit means, said restriction means having an effective cross section substantially less than said fluid passage.

Claim 31

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 19 including means for accessing the differential pressure within said chamber.

Claim 32

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 15 wherein said electrical winding is formed on a non-magnetic bobbin and said generally cylindrical center segment is operatively positioned within said bobbin.

Claim 33

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 17 including restriction means communicating with said fluid conduit means, said restriction means having an effective cross section substantially less than said fluid passage.

Claim 34

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 22 including means for accessing the differential pressure within said chamber.

Claim 35

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 17 including resilient means urging said closure means away from said seat means.

Claim 36

The electromagnetic valve assembly of claim 18 including resilient means urging said closure means away from said seat means.

Claim 37

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 20 wherein said means for accessing the differential pressure is a pressure responsive diaphragm.

Claim 38

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 16 including restriction means communicating with said fluid conduit means, said restriction means having an effective cross section substantially less than said fluid passage.

Claim 39

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 27 including means for accessing the differential pressure within said chamber.

Claim 40

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 28 wherein said means for accessing the differential pressure is a pressure responsive diaphragm.

Claim 41

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 23 wherein said means for accessing the differential pressure is a pressure responsive diaphragm.

Claim 42

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 18 including means for accessing the pressure within said chamber.

Claim 43

The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 31 wherein said means for accessing the pressure is a pressure responsive diaphragm.

Claim 44

The electromechanical valve apparatus of claim 8 wherein said fluid opening comprises a radial opening between said seat member and said closure means for all operating positions of said closure means.