Fluid resistant solenoid actuated valve

• US 6,086,042 A
• Filed: 04/08/1998
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Signature Control Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wabash Magnetics, Inc.
• Inventors: Scott, Russell D., Dobnick, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVELL, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/057,145
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.07, 251/129.15, 335/255, 335/260, 335/278, 335/282, 335/299, 336/198, 29/602.1, 29/605, 29/606, 29/890.14, 29/890.12
• US Class Current: 251/129.15
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/0658 Armature and valve member being one single element
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/1607 Armatures entering the winding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49071 by winding or coiling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49405 Valve or choke making

Abstract

A fluid resistant solenoid actuated valve having a unitary bobbin and valve housing. The unitary housing defining a valve seat connection assembly adjacent the fluid connection end. A portion of the bobbin housing being deformable upon application of a coil winding to secure a solenoid core placed in the housing. The coil having a pair of electrical leads extending over substantially the length of the coil. The coil and leads are encapsulated to provide fluid resistance.

Claims

1. A solenoid actuated valve assembly, comprising:

a unitary valve housing having a longitudinal axis, an external surface and an internal surface defining an internal passageway extending along at least a portion of said longitudinal axis from a closed end to an opposite open end, said unitary valve housing defining a valve connection assembly adjacent said open end and said external surface defining a bobbin area coaxial with said longitudinal axis;

a core disposed within said internal passageway adjacent said closed end, said core having a roughened surface for engaging said internal passageway whereby said core is secured within said internal passageway;

a reciprocable plunger slidably disposed within said internal passage, said plunger having a distal end positioned adjacent said core and an opposite proximal end having a first valve member;

an energizing coil supported on said bobbin area in a coaxial relationship with at least a portion of said internal passageway; and

a second valve member interconnected with said valve connection assembly, whereby said first valve member selectively engages said second valve member to control fluid flow between said first valve member and second valve member.

2. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said unitary valve housing further defines a fluid source mating assembly adjacent said open end.

3. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 2, wherein said fluid source mating assembly is a series of external threads on said external surface adjacent said open end for receiving a corresponding internally threaded connector.

4. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said bobbin area includes a deformable portion, said deformable portion deformed in response to coil winding pressure to urge said internal passageway into engagement with said core.

5. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said roughened surface covers only a portion of said external surface.

6. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said roughened surface is grooved.

7. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said external surface includes a pair of opposing external ribs defining said bobbin area.

8. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve connection assembly is an annular groove formed in said internal surface and said first valve member includes correspondingly sized projections for engagement in said groove.

9. The solenoid actuated valve assembly 1, wherein said first valve member is a valve seal and said second valve member is a valve seat.

10. A solenoid actuated valve assembly, comprising:

a valve housing having a longitudinal axis, said housing defining an internal passageway extending along said longitudinal axis and an external surface defining a bobbin housing having a deformable portion;

a core disposed within said internal passageway, at least a portion of said core disposed within said bobbin housing adjacent said deformable portion, said core including a roughened exterior surface; and

a coil supported on said bobbing housing, said coil deforming said deformable portion into contact with said core, whereby said core is maintained in position within said internal passageway.

11. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 10, wherein said internal passageway is substantially cylindrical and said deformable portion extends uniformly about said internal passageway whereby said core is centered within said coil.

12. The solenoid actuated valve assembly of claim 10, wherein said internal passageway includes a bobbin end and an opposite fluid connection end, said bobbin end including an end wall sealing said internal passageway and said core abuttingly engaging said end wall.

13. The solenoid valve assembly of claim 10, wherein said roughed exterior surface includes grooves.

14. The solenoid valve assembly of claim 10, wherein said valve housing is formed of reinforced nylon.

15. The solenoid valve assembly of claim 10, wherein said roughed surface extends over only a portion of the core.

16. A method for assembling a fluid resistant solenoid actuated valve, comprising:

providing a unitary bobbin and valve assembly, said assembly having a longitudinal axis and defining an interior passageway extending along the longitudinal axis and adapted to receive a magnetically responsive core and plunger, said interior passageway having an open end for a fluid connection and an opposite closed end;

inserting a core in the interior passageway and positioning the core adjacent the closed end with a portion thereof extending within the bobbin, said core having a roughened exterior for engaging said interior passageway whereby said core can be secured within said interior passageway;

winding an electrical conductor around the bobbin to form a coil;

inserting a plunger and valve assembly into the interior passageway;

inserting and securing a valve seat in the interior passageway; and

electrically connecting leads to the coil.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said core is positioned within said bobbin prior to said winding.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said bobbin assembly deforms during said winding to securely engage said core and maintain it in position.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said coil includes a first end and an opposite second end and interconnecting leads to the coil includes electrically connecting the leads to the first end and positioning the leads along substantially the entire length of the coil to extend beyond the second end.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said unitary bobbin and valve assembly includes a circular recess in the passageway adjacent the fluid end and interconnecting the plunger stop to the valve assembly includes snapping the valve seat into the circular recess.

21. A solenoid valve assembly, comprising:

a unitary valve housing defining;

a bobbin housing for receiving a coil, said bobbin housing having a deformable portion;

an internal passageway having a longitudinal axis, said passageway adapted to receive a core and a plunger, said internal passageway extending within at least a portion of said bobbin housing and having an open end and an opposite closed end; and

a valve seat connection assembly disposed adjacent said open end;

a core disposed within said internal passage adjacent said closed end, said core having a roughened surface for engaging said internal passageway whereby said core is secured within said internal passageway;

a reciprocable plunger slidably disposed within said internal passage;

a valve member mounted on said reciprocable plunger;

an electric energizing coil supported on said bobbin housing in a coaxial relationship therewith, said coil having a first end and an opposite second end, said coil deforming said deformable portion of said bobbin to secure said core in position within said internal passage;

a valve seat interconnected with said valve seat connection assembly, whereby said valve member selectively engages said valve seat to control fluid flow; and

a pair of electrical leads electrically connected to said coil at said first end and extending parallel to said longitudinal axis beyond said second end.