Integrated valve assembly

Abstract

An improvement to an integrated valve assembly which generally consists of a cluster of two poppet valves, four electric-solenoid-operated flapper valves, and four thrust nozzles and interconnecting plumbing. The improvement to the integrated valve assembly reduces the force required to operate the flapper valves thereby minimizing solenoid size, weight, and power consumption. The improvement consists of a modified flapper valve tip having a hole bored through the tip in the direction of tip motion, and a free-fitting piston located therein and suitably axially restrained relative to the flapper valve body.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. In combination with an integrated valve assembly having two identical high-thrust major nozzles, two identical low-thrust minor nozzles, two identical poppet valves, and four identical electric-solenoid-operated flapper valves each flapper valve including a flapper valve body and a flapper, each flapper including means for attaching a flapper tip thereto, the improvement to each of the flapper valves thereof which comprises: a flapper tip disposed to attach to the flapper, said tip having a cylindrical hole extending entirely through said tip and generally oriented parallel to the direction of tip motion;   a generally cylindrical balance piston disposed to fit freely within said hole in said tip; and   means for axially constraining movement of said piston located within said tip relative to the flapper valve body.