Tlx Technologies, LLC

Sturman/tlx LLC

Applied Power Inc.

Derek A Dahlgren

James R Ward

Thomas J Stobbs

Oded Eddie Sturman

Benjamin Nathan Shimon

Patrick Thomas Schwobe

Mark William Mainland

Neil C Karolek

Daniel J Lambert

Wayne Michael Groth

Embodiments of a solenoid valve are provided. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid portion with a detection device, a valve body, an armature assembly, and a detection plate. The armature assembly has a first end extending through the solenoid portion and a second end extending into the valve body. The detection plate is configured to interact with the detection device to produce a signal indicating whether the solenoid portion is installed on the valve body. The solenoid portion is disposed between the valve body and the detection plate.

Solenoid with supervision switch

Embodiments of a solenoid valve are provided. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid portion having a housing. The housing has a first bore and a second bore with the first bore adapted to receive a first end of an armature assembly and the first bore being surrounded by a magnetic coil. The solenoid valve also includes a valve body. The valve body is adapted to receive a second end of the armature assembly. The solenoid valve further includes a detection device located in the second bore and a detection plate interposed between the solenoid portion and the valve body. The detection device interacts with the detection plate to produce a signal indicating whether the solenoid portion is installed on the valve body.

There is disclosed a mechanism for detecting that a valve coupled to a pressurized container is fully installed into a nose piece of a pneumatic actuator coupled to a fire suppression system.

Pneumatic actuator with container installation detection

There is disclosed a mechanism for detecting that a valve coupled to a pressurized container is fully installed into a nose piece of a latching solenoid actuator coupled to a fire suppression system.

Latching solenoid actuator with container installation detection

An apparatus and method provides a solenoid interlock coupled to a booster actuator. The booster actuator and solenoid interlock operate with a low energy input and a high energy output using mechanically stored energy.

Solenoid interlock for booster actuator

A solenoid includes a pole member of a magnetic material, the pole member including a pole end portion having a pole surface, an armature adapted for movement relative to the pole member between first and second positions and a coil assembly for positioning the armature relative to the pole member. A magnetic shunt structure, which is located adjacent to a pole surface of the pole member, includes at least one magnetic shunt member of a magnetically permeable material, bridging at least a portion of the air gap between the pole face and the armature face, when the armature is spaced apart from the pole member, to provide a low reluctance magnetic flux path between the pole member and the armature, increasing the attractive force between the armature and the pole member. The shunt member can be configured as a ring, as a washer, or as a combination of both a ring and a washer.

Solenoid with improved pull force

A latching solenoid includes a pole member, an armature movable relative to the pole member, a solenoid coil assembly for positioning the armature relative to the pole member, and a magnetic flux shunt structure. The shunt structure bridges the air gap between the pole face and the armature face, providing a low reluctance magnetic flux path between the pole member and the armature to increase the attractive force between the armature and the pole member. The shunt structure can be a saturation tip formed integrally with the armature or a separate flux shunt member configured as a ring which is fixed to the armature. The armature can be maintained latched by the effects of residual magnetism or by a permanent magnet.

Latching solenoid with improved pull force

A dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles includes a control valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the air bag. The control valve includes a valve member actuatable between a flow preventing position and a position spaced away from the flow preventing position. The control valve supplies the high pressure fluid through the control valve to the inflatable restraint for inflating the inflatable restraint when the valve member is moved away from its flow preventing position. The control valve includes a valve spool which cooperates with a valve casing to define a plurality of flow paths. Consequently, the actuation of the valve member between closed and open positions is substantially independent of forces produced by flow of the high pressure fluid through the valve. In one embodiment, the valve member, when unactuated, is maintained in its first position without mechanical bias. In another embodiment, the control valve includes a bias structure for biasing the valve member toward its closed position. In one embodiment, the valve member is moved between the first and second positions based upon at least one vehicle parameter or occupant parameter. Such parameters may be selected from, for example, vehicle deceleration, vehicle acceleration, and/or the presence, weight and/or position of an occupant of the vehicle.

Dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles

A solenoid actuated valve includes a valve body and a sleeve armature slidably mounted on the valve body for movement between a flow preventing position and positions away from the flow preventing position. In one embodiment, the sleeve armature and the valve body are configured and arranged to define flow diverters in fluid flow paths to provide flow balance. The movement of the sleeve armature between closed and open positions is controlled by first and second solenoid coils, and, the sleeve armature is maintained in the position to which it has been driven by residual magnetism. In another embodiment, a solenoid actuated valve includes a bias structure for urging the sleeve armature toward the closed position. The solenoid actuated fluid flow control valve is described with reference to an application for inflating inflatable restraints for an occupant of a vehicle.

Solenoid valve with an external sleeve armature

A proportional actuator for proportional control includes a saturation tip formed on the movable armature the solenoid coil is a step-wound coil, providing clearance for the saturation tip, allowing the coaxial diameters the magnetic pole piece and of the armature to be increased for an actuator of a given size so that the amount of force which can be produced by this type of magnetic circuit is related to the coaxial diameters of the magnetic pole piece and the armature, the configuration of the armature provides significantly higher magnetic force attraction between the magnetic pole piece and the armature because of the increased coaxial diameters of the armature and the pole piece. In addition, because of the increased diameter of the armature, the surface area of the armature that is exposed to the saturation tip is increased, thereby increasing the amount of flux that is coupled to the magnetic pole piece by the saturation tip. The proportional actuator is described with reference to applications in proportional control valves. Highly preferred embodiments of the proportional control valve include a damping mechanism for minimizing overshoot by providing restricted fluid flow path between the region between the magnetic pole piece and the armature and tank pressure for fluid being supplied to or removed from the apparatus being controlled by the proportional control valve.

Proportional actuator for proportional control devices

Dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems

A bidirectional flow control valve has one port co-axial with a tubular spool and another port opening to the side of the spool, with openings formed in the sidewall of the spool to establish communication between the two ports. The end of the spool adjacent to the one port abuts the brim of a tubular hat-shaped insert which extends inside the lumen of the spool to a closed end on the distal side of the other port. Openings are formed in the sidewall of the insert which are in communication with openings in the sidewall of the spool via an annular groove in the exterior of the insert. The insert reacts against flow forces, helps equalize pressures from one end of the spool to the other, and does not increase the pressure drop across the valve.

Growing community of inventors

Wauwatosa, WI, United States of America

Derek A Dahlgren