Variable force solenoid
First Claim
1. A solenoid comprising:
- coil means for inducing a magnetic flux when supplied with electrical current;
an actuator supported for linear displacement;
first spring means having a positive spring constant for applying to the actuator a force that changes as the displacement of the actuator changes from a reference position;
second spring means having a negative spring constant over the operating range of actuator displacement for applying to the actuator a force that changes in the opposite direction and by substantially the same amount as the change of force of the first spring means as the displacement of the actuator position changes from a reference position; and
a magnetic circuit through which the induced magnetic flux passes tending to displace the actuator in accordance with the magnitude of electrical current supplied to the coil means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable force solenoid for operating a hydraulic pressure regulating valve which includes an actuator shaft aligned with the central axis of the valve and solenoid, a coil of electrical conducting wire, a cylindrical core on which the wire is wound and through which the induced magnetic flux flows, an actuator actuates shaft spaced by a non-working air gap from the casing and moveable axially toward and away from the edge of the core, flexible bearings at opposite axial ends of the actuator shaft and a compression spring. A force is applied to the actuator shaft by a unique double spring combination. The flexible bearings restrict lateral displacement of the actuator and permit frictionless axial displacement of the actuator. The hydraulic valve has a valve spool that moves due, to the position of the actuator, from a position that produces maximum pressure when the coil is de-energized to a position that produces zero pressure when the coil is energized. A zero pressure adjustment and maximum pressure adjustment establish the correct position of the valve spool within the valve body.
160 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A solenoid comprising:
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coil means for inducing a magnetic flux when supplied with electrical current; an actuator supported for linear displacement; first spring means having a positive spring constant for applying to the actuator a force that changes as the displacement of the actuator changes from a reference position; second spring means having a negative spring constant over the operating range of actuator displacement for applying to the actuator a force that changes in the opposite direction and by substantially the same amount as the change of force of the first spring means as the displacement of the actuator position changes from a reference position; and a magnetic circuit through which the induced magnetic flux passes tending to displace the actuator in accordance with the magnitude of electrical current supplied to the coil means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A solenoid comprising:
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coil means for inducing a magnetic flux when supplied with electrical current; an actuator supported for linear displacement; first spring means having a positive spring constant for applying to the actuator a force that changes as the displacement of the actuator changes from a reference position; second spring means having a negative spring constant over the operating range of actuator displacement for applying to the actuator a force that changes in the opposite direction and by substantially the same amount as the change of force of the first spring means as the displacement of the actuator position changes from a reference position; a magnetic circuit through which the induced magnetic flux passes tending to displace the actuator in accordance with the magnitude of electrical current supplied to the coil means; and bearing means for supporting the actuator against movement transverse to the direction of actuator displacement and for permitting relative and substantially unrestricted displacement of the actuator in the displacement direction. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22)
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20. A solenoid comprising:
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coil means for inducing a magnetic flux when supplied with electrical current; an actuator supported for linear displacement; first spring means having a positive spring constant for applying to the actuator a force that changes as the displacement of the actuator changes from a reference position; second spring means having a negative spring constant over the operating range of actuator displacement for applying to the actuator a force that changes in the opposite direction and by substantially the same amount as the change of force of the first spring means as the displacement of the actuator position changes from a reference position; a magnetic circuit through which the induced magnetic flux passes tending to displace the actuator in accordance with the magnitude of electrical current supplied to the coil means; and a valve that includes; a valve body defining a bore therein; a source of pressurized fluid; an inlet port connecting the fluid pressure source to the valve bore; an outlet port connected to the valve bore for supplying fluid to a hydraulic circuit; an exhaust port connecting the valve bore to a relative low pressure; a valve element moveable within the valve bore by the actuator having means for opening the closing communication between the inlet port and the outlet port and between the outlet port and exhaust port; and feedback means for tending to move the valve element toward the position where communication is closed between the inlet port and outlet port. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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23. A solenoid comprising:
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coil means for inducing a magnetic flux when supplied with electrical current; an actuator supported for linear displacement; first spring means having a positive spring constant for applying to the actuator a force that changes as the displacement of the actuator changes; second spring means having a negative spring constant for applying to the actuator a force that changes as the displacement of the actuator position changes; a magnetic circuit through which the induced magnetic flux passes tending to displace the actuator in accordance with the magnitude of electrical current supplied to the coil means; first means for adjusting the actuator to a first extremity of its operating displacement range while the coil means is electrically deenergized; and second means for adjusting the actuator to a second extremity of its operating displacement range while the coil means is supplied with its maximum operating electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (21, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification