Solenoid assembly

Abstract

A solenoid assembly for use in connection with a housing and valve body is provided. The assembly includes a magnetic coil, a magnetic pole piece, an operating rod, and a magnetic armature. The operating rod is slidably disposed within a portion of the pole piece and is at least in part centered relative to the pole piece. Activation of the coil provides an attraction between the armature and the pole piece. An embodiment of the assembly may additionally include one or more bearings positioned between the operating rod and the pole piece.

1 . A solenoid assembly for use in connection with a housing and valve body, the assembly comprising:
 a magnetic coil;   a magnetic pole piece, at least a portion of the pole piece positioned inside of the coil;   an operating rod positioned within a portion of a cavity or aperture formed by the pole piece; and   a magnetic armature positioned about an end of the operating rod, the armature configured to interact directly with said housing;   wherein the operating rod is slidably disposed within a portion of the pole piece, the armature is at least in part centered relative to the pole piece, and activation of the coil provides an attraction between the armature and the pole piece.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic armature is positioned about an end of the operating rod that is more remote from said valve body. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic armature is positioned about an end of the operating rod that is closer to said valve body. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , including a spring element positioned about an end of the operating rod nearest the armature. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , including a spring element positioned about an end of the operating rod that is more remote from the armature. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the operating rod is comprised of non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the operating rod is comprised of stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the operating rod is retained on-center by the pole piece. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an associated flux travels from the pole piece, into and through the armature, and directly on to said housing. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the activation of the coil attracts the armature to the pole piece. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an associated dimensional tolerance stack-up for the assembly consists solely of the tolerances associated with the coil, pole piece, operating rod, and armature. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the majority of the external surface of the operating rod is in operative contact with an internal surface of the pole piece. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, when the coil is in a non-activated condition, the coil does not surround the armature. 
     
     
         14 . A solenoid assembly for use in connection with a housing, the assembly comprising:
 a magnetic coil;   a magnetic pole piece, at least a portion of the pole piece positioned inside the coil;   an operating rod positioned within a portion of a cavity or aperture formed by the magnetic pole piece;   a magnetic armature positioned about one end of the operating rod, the armature configured to interact directly with said housing; and   at least one bearing positioned between a portion of the pole piece and a portion of the operating rod;   wherein the operating rod is slidably disposed on the bearings, the armature is at least in part centered relative to the pole piece, and activation of the coil provides an attraction between the armature and the pole piece.   
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , including a spring element positioned about an end of the operating rod nearest the armature. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 14 , including a spring element positioned about an end of the operating rod that is more remote from the armature. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein a first bearing is positioned about a first longitudinal half of the operating rod, and a second bearing is positioned about a second longitudinal half of the operating rod. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the operating rod is comprised of non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the operating rod is comprised of stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the operating rod is retained on-center by the at least one bearing. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the operating rod is retained on-center by the first bearing and the second bearing. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of an associated flux travels from the pole piece, into and through the armature, and directly on to said housing. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the activation of the coil attracts the armature to the pole piece. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein an associated dimensional tolerance stack-up for the assembly consists of the tolerances associated with the coil, pole piece, operating rod, bearings, and armature. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the majority of the external surface of the operating rod is in operative contact with a surface associated with the at least one bearing and an internal surface of the pole piece. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein, when the coil is in a non-activated condition, the coil does not surround the armature. 
     
     
         27 . A solenoid assembly for use in connection with a housing, the assembly comprising:
 a magnetic coil;   a magnetic pole piece, at least a portion of the pole piece positioned inside the coil;   an operating rod comprised of a non-magnetic material that is positioned within a portion of a cavity or aperture formed by the magnetic pole piece;   a magnetic armature positioned about one end of the operating rod, the armature configured to interact directly with said housing; and   at least one bearing positioned between a portion of the pole piece and a portion of the operating rod;   wherein the operating rod is slidably disposed on the bearings; the armature is at least in part centered relative to the pole piece; activation of the coil provides an attraction between the armature and the pole piece; the operating rod is retained on-center by the at least one bearing; and the activation of the coil attracts the armature to the pole piece.   
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 27 , wherein, when the coil is in a non-activated condition, the coil does not surround the armature.