High flow solenoid control valve

• US 6,321,767 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Flextronics Automotive USA Incorporated (Flex, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Saturn Electronics & Engineering Incorporated (Flex, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Najmolhoda, Hamid, Seid, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US09/480,196
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 137/15.21, 137/596.17, 137/596.2, 137/625.65
• US Class Current: 137/15.21
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/0613 with cylindrical slides
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0502 Multi way valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86622 Motor-operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87217 Motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87241 Biased closed

Abstract

An engine oil solenoid actuated control valve includes a molded one-piece member that defines a check valve-receiving region and a coil bobbin region of the solenoid. The check valve-receiving region includes an integral check valve-receiving receptacle associated with an exhaust port of the control valve. A check valve is received in the receptacle. A solenoid armature is received in the coil bobbin region on which a solenoid coil is wound. The molded one-piece member receives a fluid port-forming sleeve member that provides a supply port and control port. A spool valve is received in the port-forming sleeve member and includes a spool valve end connected to the armature of the solenoid. The spool valve includes first and second lands that are moved relative to the respective fluid supply port and control port to control fluid flow at the control port. A fast response, high flow rate is provided by a preselected gap provided between the end of the armature and a pole piece in the bobbin region together with an annular control port configuration.

Claims

1. A hydraulic fluid solenoid valve, comprising a one-piece member forming a solenoid coil bobbin region and an integral check valve-receiving region having a check valve-receiving receptacle communicated to a fluid exhaust port, a solenoid armature, a fluid control valve movable relative to a fluid control port in response to armature movement, a check valve disposed in said receptacle, and a solenoid coil on the coil bobbin region for receiving electrical signals to control armature movement.

2. The valve of claim 1 wherein said armature comprises a cylindrical armature rod.

3. The valve of claim 1 wherein said member defines an armature bore having molded integral first and second arcuate recesses that balance hydraulic pressure on the armature.

4. A method of making a hydraulic fluid solenoid actuated valve, comprising providing a one-piece member defining a solenoid coil bobbin region and an integral check valve-receiving region having a check valve-receiving receptacle communicated to a fluid exhaust port, disposing a sleeve member having a supply port and control port and a fluid control valve in said one-piece member, disposing a check valve in said receptacle, disposing a solenoid coil on the coil bobbin region, and disposing a solenoid armature in a bore of the coil bobbin region.

5. The method of claim 4 further including molding said member to include an armature bore having molded integral first and second arcuate recesses that balance hydraulic pressure on the armature.

6. The method of claim 4 including disposing a spool valve in said sleeve member.

7. A hydraulic fluid solenoid valve, comprising a one-piece member forming a solenoid coil bobbin region and an integral check valve-receiving region having a check valve-receiving receptacle communicated to a fluid exhaust port, said one-piece member including an end proximate the check valve-receiving region with said end receiving a fluid port-forming sleeve member that provides a fluid supply port and a fluid control port, a solenoid armature, a fluid control valve movable relative to the control port in response to armature movement, a check valve disposed in said receptacle, and a solenoid coil on the coil bobbin region for receiving electrical signals to control armature movement.

8. The valve of claim 7 wherein said control valve comprises a spool valve received in the port-forming sleeve member and having a spool valve end connected to the armature of the solenoid, said spool valve moving in response to movement of the solenoid armature when electrical current is supplied to the solenoid coil.

9. The valve of claim 8 wherein the spool valve includes first and second lands that are moved relative to the respective fluid supply port and control port to control fluid flow at the control port.

10. The valve of claim 13 wherein a preselected gap is provided between an end of the armature and a pole piece in the bobbin region to define a spool valve open position relative to the control port.

11. The valve of claim 10 including an annular control port chamber and cylindrical spool land proximate said control port such that a fluid flow area is provided at the control port equal to the circumference of the annular control port chamber multiplied by the gap by which the spool land opens at the control port.

12. The valve of claim 10 wherein said pole piece has a blind bore to receive an armature biasing spring.