Solenoid operated pressure regulating valve

Claim 2

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, and wherein one of said two spring seat members is articulatingly movable with respect to the other of said two spring seat members.

Claim 3

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 1 wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said adjustment member and said intermediate member are serially situated with respect to each other with said intermediate member being in operative engagement with said adjustment member, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said intermediate member whereby said intermediate member is generally between said adjustment member and said resilient means, and wherein said intermediate member comprises said one of said two spring seat members.

Claim 4

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said adjustment member and said intermediate member are serially situated with respect to each other with said intermediate member being in operative engagement with said adjustment member, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said intermediate member whereby said intermediate member is generally between said adjustment member and said resilient means, wherein said adjustment member comprises first and second oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said intermediate member comprises third and fourth oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said resilient means comprises coiled compression spring means, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said fourth axial end, wherein said second and third axial ends are in operative abutting engagement with each other, and wherein said second axial end comprises generally convex abutment surface means.

Claim 5

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said adjustment member and said intermediate member are serially situated with respect to each other with said intermediate member being in operative engagement with said adjustment member, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said intermediate member whereby said intermediate member is generally between said adjustment member and said resilient means, wherein said adjustment member comprises first and second oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said intermediate member comprises third and fourth oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said resilient means comprises coiled compression spring means, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said fourth axial end, wherein said second and third axial ends are in operative abutting engagement with each other, and wherein said second axial end comprises generally convex abutment surface means.

Claim 6

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said armature means comprises a generally tubular cylindrical armature member having a generally centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage and an axially extending outer cylindrical surface, wherein said resilient means is carried generally within said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, wherein one of said two spring seat members is at least partly situated in said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, and wherein said one of said two spring seat members is articulatingly movable with respect to the other of said two spring seat members.

Claim 7

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said armature means comprises a generally tubular cylindrical armature member having a generally centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage and an axially extending outer cylindrical surface, wherein said resilient means is carried generally within said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, wherein one of said two spring seat members is at least partly situated in said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, and wherein said one of said two spring seat members is articulatingly movable with respect to the other of said two spring seat members.

Claim 8

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said armature means comprises a generally tubular cylindrical armature member having a generally centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage and an axially extending outer cylindrical surface, wherein said resilient means is carried generally within said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, wherein one of said two spring seat member sis at least partly situated in said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said one of said two spring seat members comprises said intermediate member, wherein said resilient means comprises coiled compression spring means, wherein said adjustment member is physically in series with said intermediate member and said spring means, wherein said adjustment member comprises first and second oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said intermediate member comprises third and fourth oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said fourth axial end, wherein said second and third axial ends are in operative abutting engagement with each other, and wherein said second axial end comprises generally convex abutment surface means.

Claim 9

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said armature means comprises a generally tubular cylindrical armature member having a generally centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage and an axially extending outer cylindrical surface, wherein said resilient means is carried generally within said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, wherein one of said two spring seat member sis at least partly situated in said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said one of said two spring seat members comprises said intermediate member, wherein said resilient means comprises coiled compression spring means, wherein said adjustment member is physically in series with said intermediate member and said spring means, wherein said adjustment member comprises first and second oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said intermediate member comprises third and fourth oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said fourth axial end, wherein said second and third axial ends are in operative abutting engagement with each other, and wherein said second axial end comprises generally convex abutment surface means.

Claim 10

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 5 and further comprising fluid out-flow passage means formed in said adjustment member, wherein said fluid out-flow passage means communicates with an area outwardly of said housing means and communicates with said fluid medium as flows out of said fluid-flow passage means.

Claim 11

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 6 wherein said out-flow passage means comprises fluid out-flow restriction means.

Claim 12

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 7 wherein said adjustment member is threadably connected to said pole piece means.

Claim 13

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, and further comprising first magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a first axial end of said electrical field coil means as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said first axial end of said electrical field coil means, second magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a second axial end of said electrical field coil means opposite to said first axial end of said electrical field coil means and as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said second axial end of said electrical field coil means, and tubular cylindrical sleeve means, said sleeve means being at least partly received by said second magnetic flux conducting means and effective for axially abutting against said first and second magnetic flux conducting means thereby preventing said first and second magnetic flux conducting means being positioned with respect to each other a distance less than that determined by the axial abutting of said sleeve means.

Claim 14

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, and further comprising first magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a first axial end of said electrical field coil means as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said first axial end of said electrical field coil means, second magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a second axial end of said electrical field coil means opposite to said first axial end of said electrical field coil means and as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said second axial end of said electrical field coil means, and tubular cylindrical sleeve means, said sleeve means being at least partly received by said second magnetic flux conducting means and effective for axially abutting against said first and second magnetic flux conducting means thereby preventing said first and second magnetic flux conducting means being positioned with respect to each other a distance less than that determined by the axial abutting of said sleeve means.

Claim 15

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, and further comprising bobbin means carrying said electrical field coil means, wherein said bobbin means comprises a generally tubular cylindrical bobbin portion generally radially inwardly of said electrical field coil means, and further comprising sleeve means, said sleeve means being axially contained in said first housing portion and situated radially inwardly of and in said generally tubular cylindrical bobbin portion, and wherein said armature means is slidably movable in and with respect to said generally tubular cylindrical bobbin portion.

Claim 16

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, and further comprising bobbin means carrying said electrical field coil means, wherein said bobbin means comprises a generally tubular cylindrical bobbin portion generally radially inwardly of said electrical field coil means, and further comprising sleeve means, said sleeve means being axially contained in said first housing portion and situated radially inwardly of and in said generally tubular cylindrical bobbin portion, and wherein said armature means is slidably movable in and with respect to said generally tubular cylindrical bobbin portion.

Claim 17

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 10 and further comprising magnetic flux conducting means wherein said magnetic flux conducting means is of ring-like configuration comprising a generally centrally located cylindrical passage, wherein said sleeve means is situated radially inwardly of and against both said generally tubular cylindrical bobbin portion and said centrally located cylindrical passage, and annular abutment means carried by said sleeve means, said annular abutment means engaging said magnetic flux conducting means to limit relative axial movement of said sleeve means and said magnetic flux conducting means.

Claim 18

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprises housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said second housing portion comprises flange-like connecting means, and further comprising first magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a first axial end of said electrical field coil means as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said first axial end of said electrical field coil means, second magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a second axial end of said electrical field coil means opposite to said first axial end of said electrical field coil means, wherein said flange-like connecting means is situated in said first housing portion as to be between said second magnetic flux conducting means and said first housing portion, and tubular cylindrical sleeve means, said sleeve means being at least partly received by said second magnetic flux conducting means and effective for axially abutting against said first and second magnetic flux conducting means thereby preventing said first and second magnetic flux conducting means to be positioned with respect to each other a distance less than that determined by the axial abutting of said sleeve means.

Claim 19

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprises housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said second housing portion comprises flange-like connecting means, and further comprising first magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a first axial end of said electrical field coil means as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said first axial end of said electrical field coil means, second magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a second axial end of said electrical field coil means opposite to said first axial end of said electrical field coil means, wherein said flange-like connecting means is situated in said first housing portion as to be between said second magnetic flux conducting means and said first housing portion, and tubular cylindrical sleeve means, said sleeve means being at least partly received by said second magnetic flux conducting means and effective for axially abutting against said first and second magnetic flux conducting means thereby preventing said first and second magnetic flux conducting means to be positioned with respect to each other a distance less than that determined by the axial abutting of said sleeve means.

Claim 20

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 12 wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said adjustment member and said intermediate member are serially situated with respect to each other with said intermediate member being in operative engagement with said adjustment member, and wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said intermediate member whereby said intermediate member is generally between said adjustment member and said resilient means.

Claim 21

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 13 wherein said adjustment member comprises first and second oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said intermediate member comprises third and fourth oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said resilient means comprises coiled compression spring means, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said fourth axial end, wherein said second and third axial ends are in operative abutting engagement with each other, and wherein said second axial end comprises generally convex abutment surface means.

Claim 22

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 12 wherein said armature means comprises a generally tubular cylindrical armature member having a generally centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage and an axially extending outer cylindrical surface, wherein said resilient means is carried generally within said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage, and wherein one of said two spring seat members is at least partly situated in said centrally situated axially extending cylindrical passage.

Claim 23

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 15 wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said one of said two spring seat members comprises said intermediate member, wherein said resilient means comprises coiled compression spring means, wherein said adjustment member is physically in series with said intermediate member and said spring means, wherein said adjustment member comprises first and second oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said intermediate member comprises third and fourth oppositely situated axial ends, wherein said second operative end of said resilient means is in operative engagement with said fourth axial end, wherein said second and third axial ends are in operative abutting engagement with each other, and wherein said second axial end comprises generally convex abutment surface means.

Claim 24

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 16 and further comprising fluid out-flow passage means formed in said adjustment member, wherein said fluid out-flow passage means communicates with an area outwardly of said housing means and communicates with said fluid medium as flows out of said fluid-flow passage means.

Claim 25

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 17 wherein said out-flow passage means comprises fluid out-flow restriction means.

Claim 26

A pressure regulating assembly according to claim 18 wherein said adjustment member is threadably connected to said pole piece means.

Claim 27

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprises housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular camber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said adjustment member comprises an end surface of generally convex configuration, and wherein said adjustment member and said intermediate member are serially situated with respect to each other with said intermediate member being in operative engagement with said generally convex end surface.

Claim 28

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprises housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular camber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, and spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, wherein said spring seat means comprises at least two spring seat members, wherein said at least two spring seat members comprise a threadably adjustable adjustment member and an intermediate member, wherein said adjustment member comprises an end surface of generally convex configuration, and wherein said adjustment member and said intermediate member are serially situated with respect to each other with said intermediate member being in operative engagement with said generally convex end surface.

Claim 29

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, and further comprising first magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a first axial end of said electrical field coil means as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said first axial end of said electrical field coil means, second magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a second axial end of said electrical field coil means opposite to said first axial end of said electrical field coil means and as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said second axial end of said electrical field coil means, and tubular cylindrical sleeve means, said sleeve means being at least partly received by said second magnetic flux conducting means and effective for axially abutting against said first and second magnetic flux conducting means thereby preventing said first and second magnetic flux conducting means being positioned with respect to each other a distance less than that determined by the axial abutting of said sleeve means.

Claim 30

A pressure regulating assembly for regulating the pressure of a flowing fluid medium, comprising housing means, said housing means comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, electrical field coil means carried by said first housing portion, pole piece means situated generally within said field coil means, a valve seat, fluid-flow passage means formed as to be generally circumscribed by said valve seat, said pole piece means comprising a pole piece end face portion, armature means at least partly situated generally within said field coil means, said armature means comprising an armature end face portion, wherein said armature means is situated with respect to said pole piece means as to thereby cause said armature end face portion to be juxtaposed to said pole piece end face portion, wherein said second housing portion comprises a generally cylindrical inner chamber, spool valve means situated in said cylindrical inner chamber and movable with respect to said cylindrical inner chamber and relatively movable with respect to said armature means, said spool valve means comprising at least first and second axially aligned cylindrical valving portions, said spool valve means further comprising generally axially extending body means situated between and operatively interconnecting said first and second cylindrical valving portions, said generally axially extending body means being relatively small in transverse cross-section as to thereby define an annular chamber circumferentially between said axially extending body means and said cylindrical inner chamber and axially generally between said first and second generally cylindrical valving portions, first fluid inlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said first generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said first valving portion, second fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to communicate with said annular chamber, third fluid outlet passage means formed in said second housing portion as to be generally juxtaposed to said second generally cylindrical valving portion for general control by said second valving portion, fourth fluid passage means communicating between said first fluid inlet passage means and said fluid-flow passage means, wherein when said armature means is moved as to most restrict flow of said fluid medium out of said fluid-flow passage means the pressure of said fluid medium causes said spool valve means to move in a direction whereby said second valving portion at least further restricts flow of said fluid medium from said annular chamber and through said third fluid outlet passage means toward sump and said first valving portion reduces its restrictive effect to flow of said fluid medium through said first fluid inlet passage means and into said annular chamber and out of said second fluid outlet passage means to associated structure to be acted upon by said fluid medium, resilient means having first and second operative ends, wherein said first operative end is in operative engagement with said armature means, spring seat means, wherein said second operative end is in operative engagement with said spring seat means, and further comprising first magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a first axial end of said electrical field coil means as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said first axial end of said electrical field coil means, second magnetic flux conducting means situated in said first housing portion and at a second axial end of said electrical field coil means opposite to said first axial end of said electrical field coil means and as to be generally contained between said first housing portion and said second axial end of said electrical field coil means, and tubular cylindrical sleeve means, said sleeve means being at least partly received by said second magnetic flux conducting means and effective for axially abutting against said first and second magnetic flux conducting means thereby preventing said first and second magnetic flux conducting means being positioned with respect to each other a distance less than that determined by the axial abutting of said sleeve means.