United States Patent 119) Fox 4,715,396 * Dee. 29, 1987 (1) Patent Numb: [45] Date of Patent [54] PROPORTIONAL SOLENOID VALVE larence D. Fox, Decatur, Il Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, . [*] Notice: The portion of the term ofthis patent subsequent to Jun. 11, 2002 has been disclaimed. [21] Appl. Nox 761,906 [22] Filed: Aug, 2, 1985 Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 645,191, Aug. 29,1988, Pa. No. 4534375, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 349,488, Feb. 17,1982, abandoned, which ia continus- ‘ioninpart of Ser. No. 311,820, Oct. 16, 1981, aban sdoned, 51] Int. cas . FI6K 31/06; FSC 3/00 [2] Us.a. . 137/825 251/30.02; 251/129.21; 137/907; 137/625.61; 137/625.64 [58] Field of Search’ 251/129.16, 129.21, 251/129.08, 30:02; 137/DIG. 8, 82, 625.61, (625.64, 907 [56 References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS 850,738 4/1907 Dempster 1,053,340 2/1913. 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Rep. of 251/129.08 x vce, 251/129.16 X. won BSI/129.16 X Germany on 251/129.16 1806040 5/1970 Fed. Rep. of Germany . 2s1/129.21 Primary Examiner—Asnold Rosenthal “Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Tarnes J. Jennings i ABSTRACT AA Giaphragm operated valve assembly is controlled by ‘an clectromagnetic valve assembly. A fat disc arma- ture, which forms part ofa fux path, is operable in an inner chamber to modulate the flow between the inner chamber and an ext port in response to an applied mag- netic force. The level of the effective magnetic force is a function of the armature mass, and the pressure acting onthe dise surface. A pole piece adjacent tothe at dise armature is slidably adjustable to establish a specified force to actuate the armature to the closed or scaling position. This specified force is proportional tothe cur- rent flow through the winding of the electromagnetic valve assembly. Thus the armature operates 10 seal communication between the inner chamber and the exit port at a given pressure differential as a function of current flow. The travel distance between the armature and a nonmagnetic seal seat has been minimized by spring biasing the armature in proximity tothe seal seat 4 Claims, 14 Drawing FiguresUS. Patent Dec. 29, 1987 Sheet 1 of 4 4,715,396 a 132 gt Mf WN Yas 238 NX 2 S 220 m0 N222 » As aes wy = BouseUS. Patent Dec. 29, 1987 Sheet 2 of 4 4,715,396 NY WY VY MI NS a 4 Pe Ase 58 ~ 4 Pi eT aE) 56 TT Es a fi95US. Patent — Dec. 29, 1987 Sheet 3 of 4 4,715,396 Fig 9 \ (CURRENT VS.vAC. VACUUM (NewS H6) N 8 8 © wo 1 wo wo 10 m0 MILLIAMPS, ‘VACUUM (INCHES H6)US. Patent Dec. 29, 1987 Sheet 4 of 4 4,715,396 SEER CAA a Me SEE4,715,396 1 PROPORTIONAL SOLENOID VALVE ‘This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 645,191, filed Aug. 28, 1984, which issued as U. Pat. No. 4,534,375 on Aug. 13, 1985, which was a con- tinuation of application Ser. No. 349,488 filed Feb. 17, 1982, which was @ continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 311,820 filed Oct. 16, 1981, now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ‘The present invention is useful with an electromag- netic solenoid valve operable for fuid control in con Junction with a diaphragm operable valve. Such sole- noid valves are known and used t0 control either hy- INDICATED BELOW. Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [] appeared in the patent, but as been deleted and is no louger a part of the Datent; matter printed in italics indicates additions made ‘0 ‘to the patent. AS A RESULT OF REEXAMINATION, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT: ‘s Claims 1-4 are determined to be patentable as amended. New claims 5-16 are added and determined to be patentable. 20 1. An electromechanical valve assembly, comprising ‘an electrical winding; 2 magnetic fax circuit defining a Qux path compris- ing a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, in- 26 cluding a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage, an outer segment, tnd an end segment adjacent one end of said fuid passage, at least one of said segments being physi- Cally traslatable within said vaive assembly along 30 said fux path to adjust [the] a portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gap adjacent the translatable segment, [La] an annular non-magnetic seat member, having a ‘central opening aligned with, and disposed near the 3$ other end of, the uid passage; Land] magnetic closure member, positioned adacent the non-magnetic seat and, with said magnetic seq- meats, completing the flux path such that fuid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference 40 through the fluid passage and seat member central ‘opening can be modulated by varying the energiza- tion level of the electrical winding, said clasure ‘member defining an annular closure surface generally ‘oral tthe axis of aid fluid passage, translation of 4S the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary [the] said portion of one of ssid segments in said flux peth and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux crew, 10 correspondingly adjust the response of the valve as- 50 sembly for 4 given energization level of the electri- cal winding Land] 1 provide a given pressure difference: and, means defining a cylindrical chamber adjacent said ‘non-magnetic seat member 10 receive said magnetic $5 closure member and 10 constrain the motion thereof Substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said ‘fluid passage berween a postion agains said annular Seat member and a position displaced therefrom. 2. An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: 60 an cleetrical winding defining a central ux axis; ‘a magnetic flux circuit defining a fux path compris ing a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, cluding a generally cylindrical center segment ‘which defines a fluid passage aligned with said flux 65 dis, an outer segment, and an end segment adja- Gent one end of Said uid passage, atleast one of said segments being physically translatable within 2 said valve apparatus along said flux path relative to ‘an adjacent segment to adjust [the] 2 portion of ‘one of said segments that isin said flux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable seg- ment and the adjacent segment; ‘an annular non-magnetic seat member having a cen- ‘tral opening aligned with, and disposed near the ‘other end of, the fluid passage; Land] magnetic closure means comprising one of said seg- ments and positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat and forming a part of said flux circuit such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure dif- ference through the fluid passage and seat member ‘central opening and against the closure means can ‘be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, said clasure means defining ‘an annular closure surface generally normal to the axis of said fluid passage, translation of the adjust~ able segment along said flux path being effective t0 vary [the] said portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspond~ ingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for ‘given energization level of the electrical winding to provide a given pressure difference: and, ‘means defining a cylindrical chamber adjacent said non-magnetic seat member to receive said magnetic closure means and to constrain the motion thereof substantially parallel 10 the longitudinal axis of said ‘fluid passage between a position against said annular ‘seat member and a position displaced therefrom. 3. An electromechanical valve apparatus comprising: an electrical winding defining a central flux axis; ‘a magnetic fux circuit defining a flux path compris ing a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, in- cluding a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage of predetermined cross sectional area aligned with said flux axis, an outer segment, and an end segment adjaceat one ead of said fluid passage, at least one of said seg- ‘ments being physically translatable within said ‘valve apparatus along said flux path relative to an adjacent segment to adjust [the]] a portion of one of said segments that is in said lux path and the extent of an air gap between the translatable seg- ment and the adjacent segment; ‘an annular non-magnetic seat member having a cen- tral opening aligned with, and disposed near the other end of, the fluid passage; Land] ‘ments and positioned adjacent the non-magnet seat to define a fluid opening, said fluid opening being substantially less than said cross sectional area for operating positions of said closure means; ‘and, means defining a cylindrical chamber adjacent said ‘non-magnetic seat member 9 receive said magnetic closure means and to constrain the motion thereof substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said ‘fluid passage between a position against said annular seat member and a position displaced therefrom. said closure means forming a part of said flux circuit ‘such that fluid flow urged by 2 predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening and against the clo- sure means can be modulated by varying the ener- ization level of the electrical winding, said closureBI 4,715,396 3 means defining on annular closure surface generally hhormal to the axis of said fluid passage, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective to vary [the] said portion of one of said Segments in said flux path and the air gap distance 5 ‘and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, 10 correspondingly adjust the response of the valve assembly for a given energization level of the elec trical winding to provide a given pressure differ- 4, The electromecbanical valve Lapparatus] assem bly of claim 1 further including means to secure said [movable] rranslatable segment in a determinable se- lected position reiative to an adjaceat segment. “S An electromechanical vale assembly, comprising dan electrical windings @ magnetic flux circuit magnetically coupled ‘0 said winding and defining a flux path, said circuit com- prising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments. including at least one generally cylindrical center Segment, atleast one of which defines a fluid passage, an outer segment, and an end segment adjacent an input end of said fluid passage. at least one of said segments being physically tenslatable within said valve assembly along said flix path to adjust «portion of one of said segments that i said flux path and the extent of ax air gop adjacent the translatable segments a non-magnetic eat member having a central opening. 59 ‘aligned with and disposed near the output end of, the ‘fluid passage sid opening defining a transverse area ‘Jor the exertion of pressure greater than the crsi-sec- tional area of said fluid passage: «a magnetic closure member positioned adjacent the non- 33 ‘magnetic seat, adapted to substantially cover said Central opening and comprising one of said magnetic Segments, completing the flux path such that fuid flow surged by a predetermined pressure difference ‘through the fluid passage and seat member central 4p opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, said closure member defining an annular closure surface generally normal to the axis of said fuid passage, translation of the ‘adjustable segment olong said fix path being effec- 45 tive 1 ary said portion of one of said segments in said ‘flex path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the lux circuit, to correspondingly ad- just the of the valve assembly for a given ‘energization level ofthe electrical winding to provide a s0 xiven pressure difference: and, means defining a cylindrical chamber adjacent said non-magnetic seat member to receive said magnetic closure member and to constrain the motion thereof Substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said ss ‘fluid passage between a postion against said annular Seat member and a position displaced therefrom. 6 dn eleciromechanical vaive assembly, comprising an elecrcal winding: @ magnetic flux circuit magnetically coupled to said 60 winding and defining @ flux path, said circult com- prising « plurality of adjacent magnetic segments Including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage, an outer segment, and dn end segment adjacent an input end of said fluid 6s passage: an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the output 4 end ofthe fluid pasoge, said opening defining an area for the exertion of pressure: and «a magnet closure member positioned adjacent the non- ‘magnetic seat, adapted 0 substantially cover scid Ceniral opening, and being a flat dise armature, com- pring one of aid magnetic segments, said center member being physicolytranslacable within sad valve assembly 10 adjust a portion of said center member that isin said flux path and the extent of an dir gap berween said output end of the center member ‘and said magnetic closure member, said magnetic closure memtber with said other magnetic segments, completing the flux path such that fluid ‘low urged by a predetermined prescure difference ‘through the fluid passage and seat member central ‘opening can be modulated by varying the energization {nel of the elecrial winding, translation ofthe canter ‘member along said flux path being effective 10 vary said portion of said center member in said flux path land the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance Of the fue circuit, to correspondingly adjust the re- ‘af the vale astembly fora given energization Bye of the electrical winding to provide a given pres sure difference. 7. An electromechanical vale assembly, comprising an eletrcal winding: @ magnetic flux cireuit magnetically coupled to said winding and defining a flux path, said circult com prising @ plurality of adjacent magnetic segments {including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage. an outer segment. and dam end segment adjacent an input end of said uid passage «an annular non-magnetic seat member having 2 central opening aligned with, and disposed about the output tnd of the fluid passage and extending beyond the center member, sid opening defining an area forthe ‘exertion of pressure: and a magnerie closure member, positioned adjacent the ron-magnetie seat, adapted to substantially cover said Central opening, and being a flat disc armature, said center member being physically translacable within sald valve assembly {0 adjast a portion of said center member that i in said flux path and the extent of ar ‘ir gap between said output end of the center member and said magnetic closure member, and said magnetic closure member with said magnetic seg- ‘ments, completing the flux path suck that fluid flow trged by a predetermined presure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the elecirial winding, transition ofthe center mem- ber along said flux path being effective to vary said portion of said center member in said flux path and Fegulate the air gap ditonce between sald center ‘member output and said closure member and thus tury the reluctance of the flux circuit 0 correspond ingly adjust the reponse of the valve astembly for a fiver energization level of the electrical winding :0 provide a given pressure difference. 4 dn electromechanical valve assembly, comprising an electrical winding: @ magnetic flux ciruit magnetically coupled to said Trinding and defining a flux path, said circuit com- prising plurality of adjacent magnetic segments Treluding a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage, an outer segment, an tnd segment adjacent an input end of scid fluid pas-BI 4,715,396 5 sage, atleast one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve assembly along said flux ‘path 1o adjust a portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an alr gop adjacent the translatable Segment: 5 ‘an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central opening aligned with, and disposed near the output fend of, the fluid passage, said opening defining an area for the exertion of pressure: «a magnetic closure member, positioned adjacent the ‘on-magnetic seat ond adapied to substantially cover, said central opening and, with said magnetic seg- ‘ments, completing the flux path such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening. can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, said closure member defining ‘an annular closure surface generally normal to the axxs of said fluid passage, translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effective 10 vary ‘aid portion of one of said segments in said flcx path and the alr gap distance and thus vary the reluctance Of the flux circuit. to correspondingly adjust the re- sponse ofthe valve assembly for each different energi- zation level ofthe electrical winding to provide acorre- spondingly different pressure difference: ‘means defining a cylindrical chamber adjacent said ‘non-magnetic seat member to rece said magnetic clarure member and {0 constrein the motion thereof 4p substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said ‘Suid passage between a first position against said ‘annular seat member and a second postion displaced therefrom: housing means enclosing said annular chamber means ‘and said seat member, said housing means having an output passageway substantially smaller in cross sec- tion than said fluid passage: and. ‘means for maintaining said closure member in an opera- tive position relative to said seat member. 9, dn electromechanical valve assembly, comprising an electrical winding: @ magnetic fluc circuit magnetically coupled 10 sald winding dnd defining a flux path, said circuit com- rising a plurality of adjacent magnetic segments, including a generally cylindrical center segment which defines a fluid passage, an outer segment, and ‘an end segment adjacent on input end of said fluid ‘passage, atleast one of said segments being physically translatable within said valve assembly along said flux ‘path 1a adjust a portion of one of said segments that is in said flux path and the extent of an air gop adjacent the translatable segment: an annular non-magnetic seat member having a central ‘opening aligned with, and disposed near the output 55 end of, the fluid passage, said opening defining an area for the exertion of pressure: 5 as 4s ” 6s 6 @ magnetic closure member, positioned adjacent the non-magnetic seat and adapted to substantially cover said central opening and, with said magnetic seg- ‘ments, completing the flux path such that fluid flow urged by a predetermined pressure difference through the fluid passage and seat member central opening can be modulated by varying the energization level of the electrical winding, said clasure member defining aan annular closure surface generally normal to the axis of said fluid passage translation of the adjustable segment along said flux path being effetive 10 vary said portion of one of said segments in said flux path and the air gap distance and thus vary the reluctance of the flux circuit, to correspondingly adjust the re- sponse of the vale assembly for each different energi- ‘ation level ofthe electrical winding to provide a corre- spondingly diferent pressure difference: ‘means defining a cylindrical chamber adjacent said non-magnetic seat member to receive said magnetic closure member and to constrain the motion thereof substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said fluid passage between a fist position against said ‘annular seat member anda second postion displaced therefrom: housing means enclosing said annular chamber means cand said seat member, said housing means having cn output passageway substantially smaller in crass sec- ton than said fluid passage: and, resilient means urging said clasure member toward said seat member. 10. The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 5 wherein said opening of said seat member & substantially larger than said fluid passage. 11, The electromechanical valve assembly of claim $ wherein said magnetic closure member is generally a flat disc means having a diameter adequate to cover said seat member. 12, The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 6 wherein said outer member and said magnetic clasure member are dispoted to define an air gop therebetween radially outward of said closure member. 13, The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 6 wherein said fle path extends radially Berween said clo- sure member and said outer member. 14, The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 7 wherein said non-magnetic seat member extends both axi- ally and radially beyond the center member. 1S, The electromechanical vaive assembly of claim 12 wherein an annular nonmagnetic means is disposed out wwardly of said magnetic clarure member to maintain said air gap berween said closure member and said outer mem- ber 16. The electromechanical valve assembly of claim 5 wherein one said generally cylindrical center segment is axially translatable along said flux path to vary the reluc tance of said flux circuit