HK1196658A - Solenoid operated valve with constant bleed port - Google Patents

Description

Solenoid operated valve with constant bleed

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to solenoid operated valves.

Background

This section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not prior art.

Solenoid operated valves are known which control a fluid, such as compressed air, when operating other equipment such as dispensers, packaging machines, food processors, etc. To maintain the solenoid operated valve in the closed position when the solenoid is not energized, a biasing member, such as a spring, is used. In, for example, U.S. patent No. 4,598,736 to chord, fluid pressure may be equalized within the valve to reduce the electromagnetic force required to move the valve member between the closed and open positions.

Known solenoid operated valve designs including pressure balanced solenoid operated valves have drawbacks. An intermediate passage through the valve member is typically used to help equalize the pressure as the valve member moves. In applications where fluid back pressure is used to clean the fluid system, moisture and dust can enter through the valve outlet, travel through the intermediate passage to the branch piece, contaminate the solenoid, cause valve sticking, reduce valve power or delay operation time.

Disclosure of Invention

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to several embodiments, a solenoid operated valve having a discharge port that provides a continuous discharge flow of pressurized fluid includes a solenoid portion. A valve member portion is connected to the solenoid portion, the valve member portion having a body including first and second valve seats and an outlet. A valve member is slidably disposed in the body with a valve element located between the first and second valve seats. The valve element defines a valve closed position when the valve element is in direct contact with the first valve seat. A discharge orifice is formed in the body between the first valve seat and the outlet through which a discharge flow of pressurized fluid present at the valve body inlet continues to flow out of the outlet when the valve is in the closed position.

According to other embodiments, a pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve includes a solenoid portion having a coil. A valve member portion is connected to the solenoid portion. The valve member portion has a body including first and second valve seats, and a first chamber between the first valve seat and a valve outlet. A valve member slidably disposed in the body has a resilient valve element located between the first and second valve seats. The resilient valve element defines a valve closed position when the resilient valve element is in direct contact with the first valve seat. A discharge port is formed in the body between the first valve seat and the valve outlet and opens into the first chamber to provide a flow path in the valve closed position to allow the pressurized fluid present at the second valve seat to continue to flow out through the valve outlet.

According to other embodiments, a pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve system includes a solenoid operated valve including a solenoid portion having an external thread and a valve member portion connected to the solenoid portion. The valve member portion has a body including first and second valve seats and an outlet. A valve member is slidably disposed in the body with a resilient valve element located between the first and second valve seats. The resilient valve element defines a valve closed position when the resilient valve element is in direct contact with the first valve seat. A discharge orifice is formed in the body between the first valve seat and the valve outlet through which a discharge flow of pressurized fluid present at the valve body inlet continues to flow out of the outlet when the valve is in the closed position. A manifold having an at least partially threaded bore receives the external threads of the solenoid portion to couple the solenoid operated valve to the manifold. A first branch orifice has an orifice wall defining an extent of a branch lumen through which the pressurized fluid flows prior to entering the discharge orifice.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the description provided hereinafter. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of several selected embodiments and are not intended to illustrate all possible implementations or to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of a solenoid operated valve with a constant bleed port of the present disclosure installed in a valve manifold;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing only the valve for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of area 3 of FIG. 2, showing the valve member in a valve closed position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view similar to FIG. 3, showing the valve member in a valve open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view similar to FIG. 2 showing another solenoid operated valve with a constant bleed port; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view similar to FIG. 2 showing another solenoid operated valve with a constant bleed orifice.

Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

Detailed Description

Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 1, the electromagnetic branch pipe member 10 includes a solenoid portion 12 connected to a valve member portion 14. The electromagnetic branch fitting 10 is releasably connected to the branch pipe 16 using an engagement member 18, the engagement member 18 may have a plurality of faces adapted to contact, for example, a tool (e.g., a wrench) that may apply an axial torque force to the solenoid portion 12 to displace the engagement member 18 such that the engagement member 18 is in direct contact with an outer wall 20 of the branch pipe 16. The solenoid portion 12 includes a plurality of body threads 22, the plurality of body threads 22 threadably engaging the female threads of a partially threaded bore 24 of the branch 16.

The valve member portion 14 includes a body 25, the body 25 having a first valve member sleeve 26 that abuts the solenoid portion 12. The first valve member sleeve 26 and another non-threaded portion 27 integrally connected to the solenoid portion 12 are received in a first manifold bore 28 formed in the manifold 16 and coaxially aligned with the bore longitudinal axis 35 of the threaded bore 24. A first body seal member 30 (e.g., an O-ring or D-ring) is received in an annular groove 31 of the first valve member sleeve 26 and forms a fluid boundary by elastic deformation caused by contact with the bore wall of the first manifold bore 28.

Valve member portion 14 also integrally includes a second valve member sleeve 32 slidably received in a second manifold aperture 34 of manifold 16. The first and second manifold apertures 28, 34 are both coaxially aligned with respect to the aperture longitudinal axis 35. When received in the branch tube 16, the solenoid valve assembly 10, including the solenoid portion 12 and the valve member portion 14, are coaxially aligned with respect to the bore longitudinal axis 35. Similar to the first valve member sleeve 26, the second valve member sleeve 32 also includes a second body seal member 36, such as an O-ring or D-ring, located in a seal groove or annular groove 37 of the second valve member sleeve 32. The second body seal member 36 forms a fluid boundary by elastic deformation caused by contact with the bore wall of the second manifold bore 34, further forming a fluid boundary between a fluid supply passage 38 and a fluid exhaust passage 40 formed in the manifold 16.

Valve member portion 14 also integrally includes a third valve member sleeve 42 defining a free end of valve member portion 14 that is freely received in second manifold aperture 34 of manifold 16. The third valve member sleeve 42 is also coaxially aligned with respect to the bore longitudinal axis 35. With valve member portion 14 in the installed position, third valve member sleeve 42 is adjacent bore end wall 46 but a gap 44 remains between bore end wall 46, and fluid discharge passage 40 is formed through gap 44, thereby allowing fluid to be discharged through third valve member sleeve 42 through fluid discharge passage 40.

The solenoid valve assembly 10 also includes an electrical connection 48 extending from the solenoid portion 12. The electrical connection portion 48 provides a power supply connection for supplying power to the solenoid portion 12. Wires or wire bundles (not shown) are typically connected to the electrical connections 48 and lead to a power source (not shown).

Referring to fig. 2 and again to fig. 1, valve member portion 14 is releasably threadably coupled to solenoid portion 12 using a plurality of internal body threads 50 of solenoid portion 12, the plurality of internal body threads 50 threadably engaging corresponding threads 51 of valve member portion 14, internal body threads 50 being formed on a body extension 52 of solenoid portion 12. The valve member 53 is axially slidably disposed in the valve member portion 14 and extends partially into the solenoid portion 12. In the illustrated valve closed position, a biasing member 54 (e.g., a compression spring) provides a biasing force that continuously acts against the valve member 53 to bias the valve member 53 in the first moving direction "a". To move the valve member 53 to the valve open position, the solenoid portion 12 is energized to move the valve member 53 in the opposite second moving direction "B" of the compression biasing member 54. Compression of the biasing member 54 provides stored energy to return the valve member 53 in the first displacement direction "a" to the valve closed position when the solenoid portion 12 is de-energized.

The biasing member 54 is located in the biasing member cavity 55. A biasing member 54 is located between each shoulder 56 of the valve member 53 and a bushing 58 slidably received in the solenoid portion 12. The biasing member cavity 55 is located on an inner side surface 59 of the body 25 proximate the body extension 52 of the solenoid portion 12. During movement of the valve member, the bushing 58 also slidingly receives and axially guides a portion of the valve member 53.

The valve member 53 also includes a resilient valve element 60, made for example of an elastomeric material (such as a polymeric material or rubber), which is fixed to the outer diameter of the valve member 53 during the molding process. The resilient valve element 60 is formed during molding or by machining to provide a valve element first side 62. In the valve closed position, the valve element first side 62 is in direct contact with the circumferential first valve seat 64 of the body 25, substantially preventing pressurized fluid (e.g., air) present at the inlet 66 of the body 25 from entering the first fluid chamber 68 between the first valve seat 64 and the valve outlet 70. In the valve closed position, pressurized fluid enters body 25 at an open circuit 72 created between a valve element second side 74 of resilient valve element 60 and a second valve seat 76. So that pressurized fluid at the inlet 66 may enter the second fluid chamber 78 of the body 25 between the resilient valve element 60 and the solenoid portion 12 within the body 25. The second fluid chamber 78 is bounded by a valve member first sealing member 80 (e.g., an O-ring or D-ring) located between the resilient valve element 60 and the shoulder 56 of the valve member 53, which creates a resilient seal between the valve member 53 and an inner wall 82 of the body 25.

In order to quickly equalize the pressure acting on the valve member 53 to allow the valve member 53 to quickly slide in either the first direction of movement "a" or the second direction of movement "B", the valve member 53 further includes an axial pressure equalization passage 84 that maintains a constant fluid connection with a transition region 86, a smaller diameter passage 88, and so on to a bore 90 at the first end of the valve member 53. According to several embodiments, the pressure equalization passage 84, the transition region 86, and the smaller diameter passage 88 are each coaxially aligned with respect to the bore longitudinal axis 35.

Thus, the pressure equalization passage 84 and the smaller diameter passage 88 together extend completely through the valve member 53. At an opposite or second end of the pressure equalization passage 84 relative to the bore 90, the pressure equalization passage 84 opens into a piston cavity 92. The piston chamber 92 slidably receives a piston 94 at one end of the valve member 53. The piston chamber 92 is located in a cylinder head 96 defining the free end of the body 25. A valve member second sealing member 98 (e.g., an O-ring or D-ring) is further provided to provide a sliding fluid seal between the piston 94 and an inner wall 100 of the piston cavity 92 while allowing the piston 94 to slide within the piston cavity 92.

The valve member 53 is also integrally provided with a valve member armature portion 102, the armature portion 102 defining a first end of the valve member 53 and the piston 94 defining a second end of the valve member 53. According to several embodiments, the valve member 53, including the armature portion 102 and the piston 94, is machined or molded from a single homogenous material such that no connection joints are required throughout the valve member 53. The armature portion 102 includes a planar end face 104. When the solenoid portion 102 is energized, the armature portion 102 is magnetically attracted to the pole piece 106, which remains stationary in position. In the valve closed position, a gap 108 is typically left between the end face 104 of the armature portion 102 and the pole piece 106 to provide the necessary distance for the valve member 53 to move between the closed and open positions.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 2, when the solenoid operated valve assembly 10 is in the valve closed position as shown, substantially contaminant free pressurized fluid enters at the inlet 66 and increases the pressure of the second fluid chamber 78 sealed by the first sealing member 80. The second fluid chamber 78, which is at the system pressure provided at the inlet 66, is continuously in a pressurized condition separate from the pressure equalization passage 84, the biasing member chamber 55, and the solenoid assembly of the solenoid portion 12.

The valve member armature portion 102 is slidably disposed within the bushing 58 to help maintain axial alignment with the valve member 53 during sliding thereof in either the first movement direction "a" or the second movement direction "B". To move the valve member 53 from the valve closed position, the solenoid portion 12 is energized to generate a magnetic field through the pole piece 106 that magnetically acts on the armature portion 102 to attract the armature portion 102 toward the pole piece 106. When the magnetic field generated by the pole piece 106 is used, the valve member 53 moves magnetically in the second direction of movement "B" until the end face 104 of the armature portion 102 contacts or is proximate to the pole piece 106, thereby reducing or closing the gap 108. At this point, valve element second side 74 of resilient valve element 60 contacts second valve seat 76, thereby isolating pressurized fluid from inlet 66 from second fluid chamber 78. It is contemplated that the pressurized fluid will remain substantially within the second fluid chamber 78, continuing to mitigate contaminants at the valve outlet from contacting the solenoid assembly.

To further assist in axial movement of the valve member 53, the valve member armature portion 102 is slidably received within a bushing housing 110 extending axially from the bushing 58. A gap is maintained between the bushing outer housing 110 and the valve member armature portion 102. The bushing outer sleeve 110 is slidably received in a coil retainer 112 located within the solenoid portion 12. Coil holder 112 provides coil 114 as a wound wire that when energized generates a magnetic field through pole piece 106. The axial position of the pole piece 106 can be adjusted by rotating the pole piece 106 relative to pole piece threads 116 threaded into the body head 107 of the solenoid portion 12. The axial movement of the pole piece 106 allows an operator to adjust the width of the gap 108 to control the closing and opening times of the solenoid valve assembly 10 and to further adjust for wear of the resilient valve element 60 over the operating life of the solenoid valve assembly 10.

An elastomeric pad 118 is located between the bushing 58 and the end of the body 25. The resilient pad 118 is not received in a defined slot or cavity, but is freely positioned to act as a resilient member between the body 25 and the bushing 58. When the elastomeric gasket 118 contacts both the body 25 and the bushing 58, additional sealing capability is also provided therebetween. According to several aspects, at least one connection pin 120 is provided in the electrical connection 48 to supply power to the coil 114. The connecting pin 120 is positioned in a connector cavity 122, the connector cavity 122 being sized to frictionally receive an electrical connector (not shown) that further isolates the connecting pin 120 from its surrounding environment. When power is supplied to the coil 114 through the connecting pin 120, the magnetic field generated by the pole piece 106 attracts the valve member armature portion 102, thereby moving the valve member 53 in the second moving direction "B", opening a flow path through the valve member portion 14 between the inlet 66 and the valve outlet 70.

During operation of the solenoid operated valve assembly 10, the discharge passage 40 of the branch pipe 16 is typically back flushed with pressurized fluid (e.g., water). This back flushing is used to allow contaminants in the branch pipe 16 to enter the valve outlet 70 and ultimately flow to the solenoid assembly of the solenoid valve assembly 10. To further reduce the ingress of contaminants (e.g., oil or particulate matter) into the valve outlet 70 that may be present in the fluid discharge passageway 40 of the branch pipe 16, a continuous discharge flow of pressurized fluid flows out of the valve outlet 70. The discharge flow is a percentage of the full flow of pressurized fluid that occurs when the valve member 53 is in the valve open position. Thus, contaminants are prevented from entering the first fluid chamber 68 and/or the pressure equalization passage 84 and reaching the solenoid assembly. To provide the exhaust flow, the solenoid operated valve assembly 10 includes a continuously pressurized exhaust port 124. During system backflush operation, the solenoid valve assembly 10 is in a valve closed position. The substantially clean pressurized fluid at the inlet 66 of the body 25 is continuously discharged into the first fluid chamber 68 through the discharge port 124 and out through the valve outlet 70, thereby continuously discharging the discharge flow of pressurized fluid outwardly from the valve outlet 70.

Referring to fig. 3 and again to fig. 1-2, the pressurized fluid flow path using the vent 124 is as follows. In the valve closed position, pressurized fluid at valve inlet 66 may freely pass through an open first flow path 126 formed between valve element second side 74 and second valve seat 76 of resilient valve element 60. Prior to flowing into the exhaust port 124, the pressurized fluid flows through a branch lumen 128, the branch lumen 128 being bounded by the first and second body seal members 30, 36 in the second branch bore 34, an inner wall 127 of the second bore 34 of the branch 16, and an outer wall 129 of the body 25. A discharge port 124 through the body 25 of the valve member portion 14 is created in the portion of the body 25 between the first valve seat 64 and the second body sealing member 36. The diameter "C" of the discharge port 124 is selected to allow continuous flow of pressurized fluid when the valve member 53 is in the valve closed position. The pressurized fluid enters the bypass lumen 128 and then flows inwardly through the exhaust port 124 into the first fluid chamber 68 formed in the valve body 25 between the first valve seat 64 and the valve outlet 70. The first fluid chamber 68 is also defined between the valve member 53 and the inner wall 130 of the body 25. The discharge flow of pressurized fluid into the fluid chamber 68 continues to flow outwardly in the flow direction "D" to full and out the valve outlet 70. Thus, by continued outward flow of pressurized fluid in the flow direction "D", contaminants are substantially prevented from entering the outlet 70, even during a backflushing operation.

Referring to fig. 4 and again to fig. 1-3, the valve member 53 is shown moved to the valve open position in the second direction of movement "B". As previously described, to move the valve member 53, the coil 114 is energized to generate a magnetic field through the pole piece 106, magnetically attracting the armature portion 102 and thereby the valve member 53 in the second movement direction "B" toward the pole piece 106. In the valve open position, valve element second side 74 is in direct contact with second valve seat 76, thereby creating an open second flow path 132 between valve element first side 62 and second valve seat 64. The pressurized fluid flows into the fluid chamber 68 through the second flow path 132 and out through the valve outlet 70. The flow area "E" of the second flow path 132 is significantly larger than the flow area "F" defined by the diameter "C" of the exhaust port 124, and therefore, because the fluid assumes the path of least resistance, little or no pressurized fluid should flow through the exhaust port 124 when the valve member 53 is in the valve open position.

The diameter "D" of the discharge port 124 may vary between different valve designs to provide a greater or lesser discharge flow. The discharge flow may also vary as the system operating pressure is increased or decreased. These characteristics are predetermined based on parameters such as valve size, fluid being controlled by the valve, desired valve operation or cycle time, size/operating pressure of the system compressor, etc. Additionally, although air is identified herein as an exemplary pressurized fluid, the valve designs of the present disclosure may also be used with other fluids, including liquids or gases.

With reference to fig. 5 and with additional reference to fig. 1-4, in other respects, the solenoid valve assembly 134 is a variation of the solenoid valve assembly 10 and therefore only the differences therebetween will be further described. The solenoid valve assembly 134 includes a valve member portion 136 having a sliding valve member 138, the sliding valve member 138 including an axial pressure equalization passage 84 'in constant fluid communication with the piston chamber 92', but differing in that it includes two laterally extending passages. The first laterally extending passage 140 generally extends from the pressure equalization passage 84 'and opens into the second fluid chamber 78'. A second side extension passage 142 generally extends from and communicates with the pressure equalization passage 84 'and opens into the biasing member cavity 55'. With the valve in the valve closed position, pressurized fluid at the inlet 66 ' will thus normally be present in the pressure equalization passage 84 ', the piston chamber 92 ', the biasing member chamber 55 ' and the clearance gap 108 ', thereby pressurizing the solenoid assembly of the solenoid portion 12. The vent 124 'functions similarly to the vent 124, allowing pressurized fluid to continue to flow out of the outlet 70'.

With reference to FIG. 6 and with additional reference to FIG. 5, in accordance with other aspects, the solenoid valve assembly 144 is a variation of the solenoid valve assembly 134, and therefore only the differences therebetween will be further described. The solenoid valve assembly 144 includes a valve member portion 146 having a sliding valve member 148, the sliding valve member 148 including an axial pressure equalization passage 84 'that is constantly fluidly connected to the clearance gap 108' through the transition region 86 'and the smaller diameter passage 88', but differs from the valve member 138 by including only a unilaterally extending passage. A first side extension passage 140 ' generally extends from the pressure equalization passage 84 ' and opens into the fluid chamber 78 '. With respect to the solenoid valve assembly 134, the sliding valve member 148 omits the second side extension passage 142 of the solenoid valve assembly 134. The pressure equalization passage 84 'communicates directly with the biasing member cavity 55' through the gap between the bushing outer sleeve 110 and the valve member armature portion 102 described in connection with fig. 2. Pressurized fluid at the inlet 66 'will thus typically be present in the pressure equalization passage 84', the piston cavity 92 ', and the clearance gap 108' when the valve is in the valve closed position, thus pressurizing the solenoid assembly of the solenoid portion 12. The vent 124 'functions similarly to the vent 124, allowing the pressurized fluid to continue to flow out of the outlet 70'.

Referring to several aspects, the solenoid operated valve 10 having a discharge port 124 that provides a continuous discharge flow of pressurized fluid also includes a solenoid portion 12. The valve member portion 14 is connected to the solenoid portion 12. Valve member portion 14 has a body 25 including a first valve seat 64, a second valve seat 76, and an outlet 70. The valve member 53 is slidably disposed in a body 25, the body 25 having a valve element 60 located between a first valve seat 64 and a second valve seat 76. When valve element 60 is in direct contact with first valve seat 64, valve element 60 defines a valve closed position. An exhaust port 124 formed in the body 25 between the first valve seat 64 and the valve outlet 70, when in the valve closed position, permits a continuous flow of pressurized fluid exhaust flow present at the valve body inlet 66 through the exhaust port 124 to the outlet 70.

According to other embodiments, the pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve 10 includes a solenoid portion 12 having a coil 114. The valve member portion 14 is connected to the solenoid portion 12. Valve member portion 14 has a body 25, body 25 including a first valve seat 64 and a second valve seat 76, and a first chamber 68 between first valve seat 64 and valve outlet 70. The valve member 53 slidably disposed in the body 25 has a resilient valve element 60 located between a first valve seat 64 and a second valve seat 76. When the resilient valve element 60 is in direct contact with the first valve seat 64, the resilient valve element 60 defines a valve closed position. A vent 124 is formed in the body 25 between the first valve seat 64 and the valve outlet 70 and opens into the first chamber 68 to provide a flow path in the valve closed position to allow the pressurized fluid present at the second valve seat 76 to continue to flow out through the valve outlet 70.

The above-described embodiments as examples are intended to convey the disclosure in depth to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. As used herein, a description of a singular form may include a plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," and the like, are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components that are included, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein do not have to be performed in the particular order discussed or illustrated herein, unless an order of performance is specifically indicated. It is understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on.. another element or layer," joined to, "" connected to, "or" coupled to "another element or layer, it can be directly on, joined, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, but intervening elements or layers may also be present. In contrast, when the term "directly" is used, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words describing the relationship between elements should also be construed accordingly (e.g., "between" and "directly between … …," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, "and/or" includes any one or more of the associated items and all combinations thereof.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. As used herein, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the embodiments.

As used herein, relative spatial terms, such as "inner," "outer," "lower," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, are used in a descriptive sense to describe one element or feature as compared to another element or feature. Relative spatial terms may encompass other orientations than the orientation depicted in the figures when the apparatus is in actual use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, examples of the term "below" may include both an orientation of above and below. The device may also be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatial terminology may be adjusted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Certain elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in an embodiment even if not specifically shown or described herein. In other embodiments, variations in many aspects are possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure and are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (21)

1. A solenoid operated valve having a discharge port providing a continuous discharge flow of pressurized fluid, comprising:

a solenoid portion;

a valve member portion connected to the solenoid portion; the valve member portion having a body including first and second valve seats and an outlet;

a valve member slidably disposed in the body having a valve element located between the first and second valve seats; the valve element defining a valve closed position when the valve element is in direct contact with the first valve seat; and

a discharge port formed in the body between the first valve seat and the outlet; in the valve closed position, a discharge flow of pressurized fluid present at the valve body inlet continues to flow out of the outlet through the discharge orifice.

2. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first fluid chamber between the first valve seat and the outlet; the flow path of the exhaust flow includes a first flow space between the valve element and the second valve seat, then through the exhaust port, then through the first fluid chamber, to the outlet port, thereby maintaining a constant flow of the pressurized fluid out of the outlet port when the valve member is in the valve closed position.

3. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 2, wherein the vent port opens into the first fluid chamber.

4. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 2, wherein the body includes a second fluid chamber between the second valve seat and the solenoid portion, and the flow path of the pressurized fluid exhaust flow includes flowing through the second fluid chamber before entering the exhaust port.

5. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 2, wherein the second fluid chamber is bounded by a valve member first seal member located between the valve element and a shoulder of the valve member, the first seal member creating a resilient seal between the valve member and an inner wall of the body.

6. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve as defined in claim 2, wherein when a solenoid coil in the solenoid portion is operated to move the valve member oppositely away from the valve closed position, the valve member brings the valve element into direct contact with the second valve seat, defining a valve open position; in the valve open position, the pressurized fluid flows through a second fluid passage between the valve element and the first valve seat, the second fluid passage having a larger flow area than the discharge port.

7. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve as recited in claim 6 further comprising a pressure equalizing passage extending the entire length of said valve member that is isolated from said pressurized fluid in both said valve open and valve closed positions.

8. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 7, further comprising a chamber connecting passage providing fluid communication between the pressure equalizing passage and a biasing member chamber having a biasing member that continuously acts to bias the valve member toward the valve closed position.

9. A pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve, comprising:

a solenoid portion having a coil;

a valve member portion connected to the solenoid portion; the valve member portion has a body including:

first and second valve seats;

a first chamber between the first valve seat and a valve outlet;

a valve member slidably disposed in the body having a resilient valve element located between the first and second valve seats, the resilient valve element defining a valve closed position when in direct contact with the first valve seat; and

a discharge port in the body between the first valve seat and the valve outlet opens into the first chamber to provide a flow path for pressurized fluid present at the second valve seat in the valve closed position to continue to flow out through the valve outlet.

10. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 9, wherein the valve member further comprises:

a valve member first sealing member located between the resilient valve element and a shoulder of the valve member, the first sealing member creating a pressure boundary that prevents the pressurized fluid from entering the solenoid portion; and

an armature portion integrally connected with the valve member, primarily in the solenoid portion, to define a valve member first end.

11. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 10, wherein the valve member further comprises a piston defining a valve member second end; the piston is slidably disposed in a piston cavity of the body; specifically, the piston is slidably sealed in the piston cavity by a valve member second sealing member.

12. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 11, wherein the solenoid portion further comprises:

a coil; and

a pole piece, wherein a gap exists between the armature portion and the pole piece in a valve open position, the armature portion being magnetically attracted to the pole piece when the coil is energized, reducing the gap, and moving the valve member between the valve closed position and the valve open position in which the resilient valve element is in direct contact with the second valve seat.

13. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 12, further comprising a pressure equalizing passage extending through said valve member into said piston chamber and opening opposite into a gap between said armature portion and said pole piece; the pressurized fluid is prevented from entering the pressure equalization passage by the valve member first and second sealing members.

14. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve as recited in claim 9 wherein in the valve closed position, the pressurized fluid continues to flow through the first flow space between the resilient valve element and the second valve seat, into the exhaust port, through the first chamber, and out through the valve outlet such that the pressurized fluid is constantly flowing out through the valve outlet.

15. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve of claim 9, further comprising a flow space formed between the resilient valve element and the second valve seat when the valve member is in the valve closed position, wherein a flow area of the exhaust port is less than a flow area of the flow space.

16. A pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve system, comprising:

a solenoid operated valve, the solenoid operated valve comprising:

a solenoid portion having an external thread;

a valve member portion connected to the solenoid portion, the valve member portion having a body including first and second valve seats and an outlet;

a valve member slidably disposed in the body having a resilient valve element located between the first and second valve seats, the resilient valve element defining a valve closed position when the resilient valve element is in direct contact with the first valve seat;

a discharge orifice formed in said body between said first valve seat and said outlet through which a discharge flow of pressurized fluid present at the valve body inlet continues to flow out of said outlet when said valve is in said valve closed position; and

a manifold having an at least partially threaded bore receiving the external threads of the solenoid portion to couple the solenoid operated valve to the manifold, and a first manifold bore having a bore wall defining a manifold bore through which the pressurized fluid flows before entering the exhaust port.

17. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve system of claim 16, wherein the body comprises:

a first fluid chamber between the first valve seat and the outlet; and

a second fluid chamber extending between the resilient valve element and the solenoid portion, the outlet port being in fluid communication with the inlet port through the second fluid chamber when the valve member is in the valve closed position.

18. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve system of claim 16, further comprising a first body seal member received in a circumferential groove of the valve body that creates a fluid boundary due to elastic deformation caused by contact with an inner bore wall of the first manifold bore.

19. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve system of claim 16, wherein the valve member portion integrally comprises a valve member sleeve slidably received in a second manifold aperture of the manifold.

20. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve system of claim 19, wherein both of said first and second manifold apertures are coaxially aligned with respect to an aperture longitudinal axis.

21. The pressure equalizing solenoid operated valve system of claim 20, further comprising a second body seal member located in a circumferential groove of said second valve member set, said first and second body seal members creating opposing manifold chamber extents through which said pressurized fluid flows between entering said exhaust ports.