Solenoid valve

Abstract

A solenoid valve includes a diaphragm assembly which isolates the fluid being controlled by the valve from the solenoid cell and the armature. The diaphragm assembly includes integrally formed poppet members and sealing rings which prevent misalignment of component parts. Force is applied by the armature on the diaphragm via a force ball which provides a central force and eliminates misalignment. In an alternative embodiment the force ball is eliminated and the diaphragm assembly is connected directly to the armature.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A solenoid valve comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice, with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member and with said poppet means comprising a .[.semi-sperical.]. .Iadd.semi-spherical .Iaddend.end portion and a conical portion with said conical portion having a larger diameter and a smaller diameter and with said larger diameter of said conical portion disposed .Iadd.immediately .Iaddend.adjacent said semi-spherical end portion, and said smaller diameter disposed .Iadd.immediately .Iaddend.adjacent said diaphragm,   resilient means mounted .[.in.]. .Iadd.on .Iaddend.said valve .[.cavity.]. .Iadd.body .Iaddend.and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed .[.in.]. .Iadd.on .Iaddend.said valve .[.cavity.]. .Iadd.body .Iaddend.and supporting a portion of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said diaphragm and poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction.   
     
     
       2. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said resilient means are disposed to bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means toward a normally closed position and in which said armature means are actuated by said solenoid means to force said diaphragm and said poppet means toward an open position. 
     
     
       3. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said poppet means are centrally located on said diaphragm means. 
     
     
       4. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said diaphragm means is circular. 
     
     
       5. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said semi-spherical end portion includes a semi-spherical surface. 
     
     
       6. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which the intersection of said poppet means and said diaphragm means comprises an undercut portion with said undercut directed inwardly of said poppet means. 
     
     
       7. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 further, comprising a spring seat member disposed between said resilient means and said diaphragm means. 
     
     
       8. A solenoid valve .[.according to claim 7 in which.]. .Iadd.comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice,   with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member and with said poppet means comprising a semi-spherical end portion and a conical portion with said conical portion having a larger diameter and a smaller diameter and with said larger diameter of said conical portion disposed adjacent said semi-spherical end portion, and said smaller diameter disposed adjacent said diaphragm,   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting a portion of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said diaphragm and poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction,   and a spring seat member disposed between said resilient means and said diaphragm means.Iaddend., said spring seat member .[.includes.]. .Iadd.including .Iaddend.a semi-spherical surface disposed bearing against said diaphragm means with said spring seat member capable of lateral motion relative to said valve body.   
     
     
       9. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said resilient means comprises a helical compression spring. 
     
     
       10. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said diaphragm means further includes a sealing lip formed on the peripheral surface of said diaphragm means. 
     
     
       11. A solenoid valve according to claim 10 in which said sealing lip is circular and in which said poppet means is centrally disposed with respect to said diaphragm and centrally disposed with respect to said sealing lip. 
     
     
       12. A solenoid valve according to claim 11 in which said valve body comprises a sealing groove portion disposed to receive said sealing lip. 
     
     
       13. A solenoid valve according to claim 11 in which said sealing lip has a V shaped cross-section. 
     
     
       14. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said pressure plate means comprises a pressure plate disposed adjacent said diaphragm means with said pressure plate having an aperture through which said armature means pass in order to bear against said diaphragm means. 
     
     
       15. A solenoid valve .[.according to claim 1.]. .Iadd.comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice,   with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member and with said poppet means comprising a semi-i spherical end portion and a conical portion with said conical portion having a larger diameter and a smaller diameter and with said larger diameter of said conical portion disposed adjacent said semi-spherical end portion, and said smaller diameter disposed adjacent said diaphragm,   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting a portion of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said diaphragm and poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction,   aid solenoid valve .Iaddend.further comprising a second orifice member having an orifice, second diaphragm means and second poppet means with said second diaphragm means and said second poppet means disposed to close said orifice on said second orifice member, and connecting means connecting said first and said second poppet means.   
     
     
       16. A solenoid valve according to claim 15 in which said connecting means comprises a shaft member. 
     
     
       17. A solenoid valve according to claim 15 in which said first and second poppet means are disposed to simultaneously close said orifice on said orifice member while opening said orifice on said second orifice member and simultaneously open said orifice on said orifice member while closing said orifice on said second orifice member. 
     
     
       18. A solenoid valve according to claim 15 further including a third port and internal passages disposed to permit flow between said first port and said third port, while preventing flow through said second port while said poppet means are in a first position, and to permit flow between said third port and said second port and to prevent flow through said first port when said poppet means are in a second position. 
     
     
       19. A solenoid valve .[.according to claim 1.]. .Iadd.comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice,   with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member and with said poppet means comprising a semi-spherical end portion and a conical portion with said conical portion having a larger diameter and a smaller diameter and with said larger diameter of said conical portion disposed adjacent said semi-spherical end portion, and said smaller diameter disposed adjacent said diaphragm,   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting a portion of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said diaphragm and poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction,   said solenoid valve .Iaddend.further including a third port and a fourth port, second diaphragm means and second poppet means, a second orifice member, each of said orifice members having an orifice, a pressure bar disposed below two of said diaphragm means and a pair of force balls bearing on said two diaphragm means and activator means bearing on a central portion of said pressure bar to cause said force balls to bear against said diaphragm means for the purpose of operating said poppet means to simultaneously control flow between said first and second ports and between said third and fourth ports.   
     
     
       20. A solenoid valve .[.according to claim 1.]. .Iadd.comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice,   with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member and with said poppet means comprising a semi-spherical end portion and a conical portion with said conical portion having a larger diameter and a smaller diameter and with said larger diameter of said conical portion disposed adjacent said semi-spherical end portion, and said smaller diameter disposed adjacent said diaphragm,   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting a portion of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said diaphragm and poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction,   said solenoid valve .Iaddend.further comprising a second valve cavity and a third valve cavity, a total of three diaphragm assemblies disposed on each in said valve cavities, and pressure plate means disposed between said diaphragm means and said diaphragm assemblies for simultaneous operation of said three diaphragm assemblies.   
     
     
       21. A solenoid valve according to claim 20 in which each of said three valve cavities includes three valve ports. 
     
     
       22. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said resilient means comprises a helical spring. 
     
     
       23. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said armature means comprises a disc of magnetically permeable material. 
     
     
       24. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 including solenoid coil means comprising a cylindrical solenoid coil. 
     
     
       25. A solenoid valve according to claim 24 in which said armature means comprises a disc having a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said solenoid coil. 
     
     
       26. A solenoid valve according to claim 1 in which said resilient means are disposed to bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means toward a normally open position and in which said armature means are actuated by said solenoid means to force said diaphragm means and said poppet means toward a closed position. .Iadd. 
     
     
       27.  A solenoid valve comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means comprising a flexible disk shaped membrane mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice,   with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member, and with said poppet means comprising a semi-spherical end portion and a conical portion with said conical portion having a larger diameter and a smaller diameter and with said larger diameter of said conical portion disposed immediately adjacent said semi-spherical end portion, and said smaller diameter disposed immediately adjacent said diaphragm, and   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       28.  A solenoid valve comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means comprising a flexible disk-shaped membrane portion mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice,   with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member, and with said poppet means comprising a semi-spherical portion with said poppet means centrally located on said diaphragm means,   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting said membrane portion of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said diaphragm and poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction,   the intersection of said poppet means and said diaphragm means comprising an undercut with said undercut directed inwardly of said poppet means and wherein said undercut comprises a tapered surface immediately adjacent said semi-spherical portion of said poppet means, said tapered surface intersecting said flexible disk-shaped membrane portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       29.  A solenoid valve comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means comprising a flexible disk-shaped membrane portion mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice,   with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member, and with said poppet means comprising a semi-spherical portion with said poppet means centrally located on said diaphragm means,   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting said membrane portion of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said diaphragm and poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction,   said solenoid valve further including a third port and a fourth port, second diaphragm means and second poppet means, a second orifice member, each of said orifice members having an orifice, a pressure bar disposed below two of said diaphragm means and a pair of force balls bearing on said two diaphragm means and activator means bearing on a central portion of said pressure bar to cause said force balls to bear against said diaphragm means for the purpose of operating said poppet means to simultaneous control flow between said first and second ports and between said third and fourth ports. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       30.  A solenoid valve comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having an orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   diaphragm means comprising a flexible disk-shaped membrane portion mounted in said valve cavity,   poppet means formed as part of said diaphragm means with said poppet means operative to close said orifice,   with said diaphragm means and said poppet means comprising an integrally formed unitary member, and with said poppet means comprising a semi-spherical portion with said poppet means centrally located on said diaphragm means,   resilient means counted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said diaphragm means and bias said diaphragm means and said poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting said membrane portion of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said diaphragm and poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction,   said solenoid valve further comprising a second valve cavity and a third valve cavity, a total of three diaphragm assemblies disposed on each in said valve cavities, and pressure plate means disposed between said diaphragm means and said diaphragm assemblies for simultaneous operation of said three diaphragm assemblies. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       31.  A solenoid valve according to claim 30 in which each of said three valve cavities includes three valve ports. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A solenoid valve comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   third port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member having a first orifice and a second orifice, with said orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first, second, and third ports,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   first diaphragm means comprising a flexible disk shaped membrane mounted in said valve cavity,   first poppet means formed as part of said first diaphragm means with said first poppet means operative to close said first orifice,   second diaphragm means comprising a flexible disk shaped membrane mounted in said valve cavity,   second poppet means separable from said first poppet means and formed as part of said second diaphragm means, with said second poppet means operative to close said second orifice,   with said first diaphragm means and said first poppet means forming a unitary member,   with said second diaphragm means and said second poppet means forming a unitary member,   connecting means disposed connecting said first and said second diaphragm means,   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on said second diaphragm means and bias said second diaphragm means and said second poppet means in a first direction,   pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting a portion of said first diaphragm and said second diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said first and said second diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said first and said second diaphragm and said first and said second poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.33.  A solenoid valve according to claim 32 in which said first and said second poppet means are disposed in a facing relationship. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A solenoid valve according to claim 32 in which said first poppet means is disposed controlling flow between said first port means and said second port means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A solenoid valve according to claim 32 in which said second poppet means is disposed controlling flow between said third port means and said second port means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. A solenoid valve according to claim 32 in which flow between said first port means and said second port means is normally open. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A solenoid valve according to claim 32 in which flow between said first port means and said second port means is normally closed. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A solenoid valve according to claim 32 in which flow between said second port means and said third port means is normally open. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A solenoid valve according to claim 32 in which flow between said second port means and said third port means is normally closed. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A solenoid valve according to claim 32 in which said resilient means are disposed to bias said first diaphragm means and said first poppet means toward a normally closed position and in which said armature means are actuated by said solenoid means to force said first diaphragm and said first poppet means toward an open position. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.41.  A solenoid valve comprising a valve body having a valve cavity, first port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   second port means disposed on said valve body and communicating with said valve cavity,   an orifice member mounted in said valve cavity and disposed separating said first and second ports, said orifice member including an upper portion, a lower portion and a central passage, said central passage positioned between said upper and lower portions and allowing communication therebetween, and said central passage having an upper and a lower circumferential edge at opposite ends thereof adjacent said respective upper and lower portions,   electrically operated solenoid means mounted on said valve body and including a solenoid coil and armature means disposed for actuation by said solenoid coil,   a first diaphragm means mounted in said upper portion of said orifice member,   a first poppet means integrally formed as a unitary part of said first diaphragm means, said first poppet means being centrally located on said first diaphragm means, said first poppet means on a side distant from said first diaphragm means having a surface tapering toward said upper edge of said central passage and seatable therein to close communication between said upper portion and said central passage,   a second diaphragm means mounted in said lower portion of said orifice member,   a second poppet means integrally formed as a unitary part of said second diaphragm means, said second poppet means being centrally located on said second diaphragm means, said second poppet means on a side distant from said second diaphragm means having a surface tapering toward said lower edge of said central passage and seatable therein to close communication between said lower portion and said central passage,   a first shaft member formed on said tapered surface of said first poppet means protruding through said upper edge into said central passage,   a second shaft member formed on said tapered surface of said second poppet means protruding through said lower edge into said central passage, and said first and second shaft members engaging one another, and   resilient means mounted on said valve body and disposed to bear on one of said diaphragm means and bias said one of said diaphragm means and one of   
     
     
        said poppet means in a first direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42.  A solenoid valve according to claim 41 wherein said tapered surface has a 
     
     
        semi-spherical shape. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43.  A solenoid valve according to claim 41 wherein said tapered surface has a conical shape. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A solenoid valve according to claim 41 further comprising a pressure plate means disposed on said valve body and supporting a portion of one of said diaphragm means thereby enhancing the ability of said one of said diaphragm means to withstand fluid pressure and with said solenoid means capable of biasing said one of said diaphragm and respective poppet means in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. A solenoid valve according to claim 41 in which both of said first and second diaphragm means are circular. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. A solenoid valve according to claim 41 wherein said resilient means comprises a helical compression spring. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. A solenoid valve according to claim 41 wherein at least one of said diaphragm means further comprises a sealing lip formed on a peripheral surface of said at least one of said diaphragm means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. A solenoid valve according to claim 47 in which said sealing lip has a V-shaped cross-section. .Iaddend.