Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

Rodney M Shurman

John D Crofts

George L Muntean

David M Rix

Harry L Wilson

Edward Benjamin Manring

Brett I Barnhart

Chafic M Hammoud

Alan B Slachter

David L Burt

Gayle L Wheeler

A compact fluid flow control valve is provided which effectively and predictably controls the flow of fluid using a minimum number of components to permit inexpensive manufacture and assembly. The control valve includes a one-piece valve plunger guide and stop which extends through an aperture formed in a stator of the solenoid assembly. The valve plunger guide and stop includes an integral guide surface for guiding the valve plunger through reciprocal movement within the aperture of the stator, an integral stop surface positioned for abutment by the valve plunger when in the energized position to define a minimum air gap between an armature and the stator. The one-piece valve plunger guide and stop reduces the number of parts of the control valve to achieve simplicity in structure and lower costs while avoiding the need for a shim to set the minimum air gap. The present control valve also includes a plunger overtravel impact limiting device including a movable valve head and a hydraulic damping device. The hydraulic damping device includes a fluid passage formed between a portion of the valve plunger assembly and the valve housing. The velocity of the valve plunger assembly is substantially decreased as the valve plunger assembly squeezes fuel from the fluid passage during movement of the valve plunger toward the closed position. The plunger overtravel impact limiting device effectively reduces valve seat wear and valve bounce.

Solenoid actuated valve assembly

A solenoid valve is disclosed including a valve housing having a central bore and a valve seat, a valve element movable between an open position allowing fluid to pass through said valve seat and a closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat, a valve operator for moving the valve element between the open and closed positions including a reciprocating armature plunger member extending through the bore and an armature secured to the armature plunger, and the valve seat when the valve element is in its open position without creating a path of leakage when the valve element is in its closed position. The armature plunger includes a threaded-end portion which extends from the valve seat for receiving a valve assembly which is provided with a top portion forming a sealing face and a bottom portion having a central opening adapted to receive the threaded end portion of the armature plunger. The valve stroke and locking mechanism includes a two-piece collet adjusting nut assembly having a collet nut which threadingly engages the threaded end portion of armature plunger and a closed end acorn cap which is pressed onto the collet nut creating an interference fit between the collet nut and the threaded end portion of the armature plunger due to the radial pressure exerted by the acorn cap.

Two-piece collet adjusting nut for a fuel injector solenoid valve

A solenoid valve is disclosed including a valve housing having a central bore and a valve seat, a valve element movable between an open position allowing fluid to pass through said valve seat and a closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat, a valve operator for moving the valve element between the open and closed positions including a reciprocating armature plunger member extending through the bore and an armature secured to the armature plunger, a valve adjustment for adjustably mounting the valve element relative to the valve operator for permitting adjustment to within an acceptable tolerance of a predetermined distance between the valve element and the valve seat when the valve element is in its open position without creating a path of leakage when the valve element is in its closed position. A valve adjustment securing mechanism is provided for securing the armature to an armature end of the armature plunger and a load bearing insert is secured within the armature for bearing a load exerted by the armature plunger during reciprocation of the valve element to allow for surface contact during the valve operation without surface wear.

Captured ring and threaded armature solenoid valve

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Columbus, IN, United States of America

Rodney M Shurman