Patent Grant
11199271
This application is generally related to a solenoid-operated valve and more particularly to a valve that significantly reduces the jet force to a level commensurate with the flow rate of the fluid or gas.
Solenoid-operated valves are used in a variety of applications, generally to control the flow of fluid or gas, and can be configured to be in a normally-closed or normally-open position when the solenoid is de-energized and in the opposite position when the solenoid is energized.
In spool-type solenoid valves, the spool valves are pressure-balanced and are held in a position by a spring when de-energized. When the solenoid coil is energized, the magnetic force overcomes the spring and shifts the spool valve. When the spool valve is shifted, fluid or gas is free to enter an opening through the inlet and escape out through the outlet. In a typical spool valve, the inlet metering edge or seat moves axially to open and close an opening on a valve body. As the fluid or gas flows through the valve body, the fluid or gas creates a flow or jet force. This jet force acts at an angle relative to the movement of the spool valve and can prevent proper operation. Thus a reaction force is needed to keep the spool valve in equilibrium. Space constraints or other significant reasons can require the fluid or gas path to be axially vented through the outlet.
Accordingly, the need exists for a solenoid-operated valve with axially vented fluid or gas that reduces the jet force on the spool valve.
A solenoid-operated valve assembly that reduces the jet flow of fluid or gas in an axially exiting valve is provided. The valve assembly comprises a spool valve including a fluid communication channel, a valve member housing including at least one inlet, at least one outlet and at least one nozzle flow director, and a flow path beginning at the at least one inlet and exiting at the at least one outlet. The at least one nozzle flow director is within the flow path. The spool valve moves axially within the valve member housing between a closed position and an open position. A method of operation of the solenoid-operated valve assembly is also provided.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown.
For purposes of this detailed description, words such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” and “right” designate directions in the drawings, and are used for convenience in referring to the designated parts or areas. The use of the terminology “at least one of” followed by a list of elements, such as “A, B, or C,” means A, B, or C individually or various combinations thereof.
Referring to
Moreover, the valve member housing 200 includes at least one inlet 210 and at least one outlet 220. Although the solenoid-operated valve assembly 100 shown in
As shown in
The valve assembly 100 also includes a flow path 400. The flow path 400 runs from the at least one inlet 210 to the at least one outlet 220. The flow path 400 is sealed off at the at least one inlet 210 by the inlet seat 310 when the spool valve 300 is in the closed position. The flow path 400 is open from the at least one inlet 210 to the at least one outlet 220 when the spool valve 300 is in the open position. Moreover, the at least one nozzle flow director 230 is located within the flow path 400.
The routing and redirecting of the fluid or gas 500 flow from the at least one inlet 210, across the spool valve 300, back through an angled nozzle flow director 230, and across the tail 320 portion of the spool valve 300 to the at least one outlet 220 creates a condition whereby the spool valve 300 is pressure balanced and the jet forces are canceled or reduced to a level that a small solenoid-operated valve assembly 100 is sufficient for actuation. Moreover, the pressure tube 350 can be calibrated to protrude a given distance into the fluid or gas 500 to further alter the flow stream and to further nullify the effect of the jet forces. The pressure is also communicated to the opposite end of the spool valve 300 where it acts on the spool valve 300 area to induce a condition whereby the spool valve 300 is pressure balanced.
Having thus described in detail a preferred selection of embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes could be made to the solenoid-operated valve assembly 100 without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 62/745,137 filed on Oct. 12, 2018 which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200116266 A1 | Apr 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62745137 | Oct 2018 | US |
