Fluid dispensing solenoid valve

• US 20020148529A1
• Filed: 04/05/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Samalot, Ivan Rafael, Berndorfer, Axel H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,536,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/67
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 9/02 having means for introducing additives to lubricant
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/14 wherein the measuring chamber reciprocates
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/16 for liquid or semiliquid

Abstract

A fluid dispensing solenoid valve includes a plunger tube that forms an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice. A plunger that forms a fluid chamber is slidably disposed within the plunger tube. The plunger is movable between a fluid fill configuration, wherein the fluid chamber communicates with the inlet orifice to allow the fluid chamber to be filled and a fluid dump configuration, wherein the fluid chamber communicates with the outlet orifice to allow the fluid chamber to be emptied. The fluid dispensing solenoid valve is used to dispense a very accurate quantity of fluid in very controllable manner.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing solenoid valve, comprising:

a plunger tube forming at least a first inlet orifice and at least a first outlet orifice; and

a plunger slidably disposed relative to the plunger tube, the plunger forming a fluid chamber, the plunger being movable between a fluid fill configuration wherein the fluid chamber communicates with the inlet orifice to allow the fluid chamber to be filled and a fluid dump configuration wherein the fluid chamber communicates with the outlet orifice to allow the fluid chamber to be emptied.

2. The valve of claim 1, further comprising:

a source reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet orifice, the source reservoir communicating with the fluid chamber when the plunger is in the fluid fill configuration.

3. The valve of claim 2, further comprising:

a target reservoir in fluid communication with the outlet orifice, the target reservoir communicating with the fluid chamber when the plunger is in the fluid dump configuration.

4. The valve of claim 1, further comprising:

a coil surrounding the plunger, the coil being energizable to bias the plunger between the fluid fill configuration and the fluid dump configuration.

5. The valve of claim 4, further comprising:

a housing surrounding the coil.

6. The valve of claim 2, wherein the source reservoir is a stand-alone source reservoir.

7. The valve of claim 5, wherein the source reservoir is an integrally formed source reservoir, the reservoir being integrally formed with the sensor between the plunger tube and the housing.

8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plunger tube forms at least a second outlet orifice and the valve further comprises:

a vent tube connected to the second outlet orifice, the vent tube allowing the fluid chamber to vent when being filled.

9. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plunger tube forms at least a second inlet orifice and the valve further comprises:

a vent tube connected to the second inlet orifice, the vent tube allowing the fluid chamber to vent when being emptied.

10. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with an engine oil pan to provide fluid to the engine oil pan when the valve is in the fluid dump configuration.

11. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with a transmission to provide fluid to the transmission when the valve is in the fluid dump configuration.

12. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with a hydraulic machine to provide fluid to the hydraulic machine when the valve is in the fluid dump configuration.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a microprocessor electrically connected to the solenoid valve, the microprocessor periodically sending a signal to the solenoid valve causing the solenoid valve to dispense the predetermined quantity of fluid to the oil pan.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a sensor disposed within the oil pan and connected to the microprocessor, the microprocessor receiving a signal from the sensor when the condition of oil within the oil pan falls below a predetermined minimum threshold, and in response thereto, sending a signal to the solenoid valve causing the solenoid valve to dispense the predetermined quantity of fluid to the oil pan.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a sensor disposed within the oil pan and connected to the microprocessor, the microprocessor receiving a signal from the sensor when the level of oil within the oil pan falls below a predetermined minimum threshold, and in response thereto, sending a signal to the solenoid valve causing the solenoid valve to dispense the predetermined quantity of fluid to the oil pan.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the solenoid valve comprises:

a plunger tube forming at least one inlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice; and

a plunger slidably disposed relative to the plunger tube, the plunger forming a fluid chamber, the plunger being movable between a fluid fill configuration wherein the fluid chamber communicates with the inlet orifice to allow the fluid chamber to be filled and a fluid dump configuration wherein the fluid chamber communicates with the outlet orifice to allow the fluid chamber to be emptied.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a source reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid dispensing solenoid valve, the source reservoir communicating with the fluid chamber when the plunger is in the fluid fill configuration.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the oil pan is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber when the plunger is in the fluid dump configuration.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the valve further comprises:

a coil surrounding the plunger, the coil being energizable to bias the plunger between the fluid fill configuration and the fluid dump configuration.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the source reservoir is a standalone source reservoir.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the valve further comprises a housing and the source reservoir is integrally formed with the housing.

13. A system for dispensing a predetermined quantity of fluid to an engine oil pan, comprising:

an engine;

an oil pan; and

a fluid dispensing solenoid valve in fluid communication with the oil pan, the solenoid valve being energizable to dispense a predetermined quantity of fluid to the oil pan.