Magnetic-latching valve

Abstract

A magnetic-latching of either of the selected operating positions of a two-position valve utilizes a generally toroidal magnetic circuit that is established by spaced inner and outer annular walls which are connected at their axial ends, with an inlet-port fluid-flow connection at one end to the interior of the inner wall, and with an outlet-port fluid-flow connection from the interior of the inner wall. The inner wall has a gap between axially spaced first and second annular pole faces. A single electrical excitation coil is coupled to the magnet circuit at overlap with the inner annular wall on one side of the gap. A disc-shaped armature is compliantly supported for axially shuttled displacement in the gap in alternating abutment with one to the exclusion of the other of the pole faces. Fixedly mounted radially polarized means within the outer annular wall completes a magnet circuit to the outer wall via the periphery of the armature and one or the other of the pole faces, depending upon the shuttled position of the armature. And valve means for on/off control of port-to-port flow is provided by an annular valve seat radially within one of the pole faces, in coaction with a valve member carried by the armature.