A Parker Hannifin White Paper

Parker Hannifin
Precision Fluidics Division
45 Route 46 East – Unit 603
Pine Brook, NJ 07058
973-575-4844
http://www.parker.com/pneutronics

Enhancing Spring Performance in Series 3 Valves

By Aman Sharafi, Applications Supervisor

May 2009
 Contents Introduction
Most electromagnetic valves, aka solenoid
Introduction 2 valves, utilize some type of spring force for
Problem Statement 2 opening or closing seats. Like any other
part of the valve, there are some basic
Parker Solution 3
design parameters for springs. This paper
Implementation 4 describes one improvement area within the
Summary 4 Series 3 valve spring performance.

Problem Statement
Series 3 valve design does not capture the
spring ID on the armature side of the valve,
leaving potential for coil end overlap. Some
potential signs of valves with overlapped
spring end are; leakage, erratic or unreliable
electrical performance or failure to open.
Current failure rate is approximately 0.10%
based on total volume of Series 3 valves
shipped in 2008.

Spring on left is as received and as

assembled.

Spring shown on right is what we occasionally

find upon disassembly. Coil overlap occurs at
the armature side of the valve.

Reduction in spring height reduces effective

load causing leakage and impacts electrical
performance of the valve.
Parker Solution
Design improvement is achieved by To evaluate the impact of this change, the
effectively capturing the spring end and new design was life tested and still
updating the spring force to maintain conformed to requirements.
operating load. This enhancement
eliminates the potential for the spring related Function Characteristics
issue within the valve.

Figure one – an illustration of the stepped armature

Figure two – an illustration of the standard armature for comparison

The results show no change in performance

Benefit 1
Improves basic design utilized within the
series 3 valves.

Benefit 2
Eliminates the potential field failures of
valves due to “collapsing” of spring end.

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Implementation
Quality Department to develop an
implementation plan based on standard
process change parameters.

Summary
Basic design enhancement, resulting in
elimination of potential valve failures due to
“collapsed” spring.

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