Remotely controlled override valve with calibration means

Abstract

There is disclosed a fluid control device including housing, a fluid flow passage therein, and a fluid outlet passage communicating with said fluid inlet passage. Within the housing is a reciprocating valve capable of permitting or precluding communication between the inlet and outlet passages, the valve constituting a ferromagnetic armature susceptible to receiving an electromagnetic induction of a magnetic axis along its axis of reciprocation, such a magnetic axis generally corresponding to the longitudinal center of a fluid-tight chamber within said housing within which the valve may reciprocate. The valve is provided with a flow-responsive first radial end face disposed within a region of communication between the inlet and outlet passages. A fluid control device also includes a magnetic stator wound about the housing in the region of the reciprocating valve when the valve is in its open position. The stator, upon receipt of a current, is capable of electromagnetic co-action with the armature valve to thereby reciprocate said valve selectively out of or into closure across the region of communication between the inlet and outlet passages. The closure or non-closure of the reciprocating valve is dependent upon the direction of current flow through the windings of the stator. Thusly, the electromagnetic co-action between the armature valve and the stator may be used to selectively override an otherwise 'open' or 'closed' position of the reciprocating valve across the region of fluid communication between the inlet and outlet passages.