Tlx Technologies, LLC

Applied Power Inc.

James R Ward

Thomas J Stobbs

Derek A Dahlgren

Craig E Wenzel

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 valve for dispensing a viscous fluid, includes a valve body defining a fluid chamber and a stepped armature within the fluid chamber. The armature has a large diameter portion maintained spaced apart from an inner surface of the valve body, defining a first air gap therebetween, and a second, smaller diameter portion which engages an inner surface of the valve body, supporting the armature within the valve body and defining a second lower reluctance air gap. A solenoid coil energized by a peak and hold drive current produces an electromagnetic field for moving the armature relative to the magnetic pole piece and the valve body. The second portion of the armature becomes magnetically saturated during the peak portion of the drive current, causing magnetic flux to be diverted through the first portion of the armature. The second portion of the armature comes out of saturation during the hold portion of the drive current, allowing a portion of the magnetic flux to be passed through the lower reluctance air gap.

Valve for viscous fluid applicator

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

The spool of a fluid pressure control valve has an axial through-bore of a larger diameter at one end and a smaller diameter at the opposite end. A larger diameter pin is slidably received in the larger diameter end of the bore and a smaller diameter pin is slidably received in the smaller diameter end of the bore, and the pins are biased apart by a compression spring so as to be in abutment with the housing at both ends of the spool. Pressure from the outlet port is admitted into the through-bore of the spool between the pins so as to produce a feedback pressure force on the spool which is proportional to the value of the outlet pressure and the difference in area between the two pins.

Load sensing proportional pressure control valve

A variable assist power steering system for a motor vehicle has an electronically controlled working pressure valve which normally maintains a working pressure at a relief pressure but increases it in response to steering of the vehicle and according to vehicle status, such as vehicle speed. The system also has electronically controlled direction control valves which are actuated to selectively reduce the working pressure to one side or the other of the steering gear piston so as to match a measured handwheel torque with a value which is desired for the vehicle status.

Variable assist power steering system with electro-hydraulic working

A double latching hydraulic valve of the type that either stays open or stays closed at high pressures and only changes state (between open or closed) at low pressures has three ports, with a main valve between the first and second ports which is opened or closed by a poppet. The first port is always in communication with a pressure chamber which biases the poppet against the main valve seat, and the pressure chamber is placed in communication with the third port, which can be connected to tank pressure, only in the open position of the poppet. Thus, a high pressure is provided in the pressure chamber to keep the poppet closed at high pressures, and a low pressure is provided in the pressure chamber to keep the poppet open at high pressures, without excessive leakage through the valve when it is closed.

Double latching valve

A hydraulic pressure reducing and relieving valve has a body with input, control and relief ports, a tubular spool slidably received within the body for selectively providing communication between the ports, and a tubular quill within the spool which the spool can slide over. The quill has a lumen which provides communication from one end of the spool to the other, so as to pressure balance the spool with relief pressure, and together with the spool defines a feedback chamber in communication with the control port which generates a force on the spool which opposes the operating force exerted on the spool by a solenoid. The spool may also be biased by a spring in the feedback chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Milwaukee, WI, United States of America

James R Ward