Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
An electro-magnetic proportional flow control valve, comprising: an electromagnet solenoid including a bobbin having an axial bore and a fixed core in said axial bore; a valve housing defining a first port, a second port and a valve seat fluidically positioned between said first and second ports; a valve normally in a closing position for closing said valve seat and interrupting fluid communication between said first and second ports; a movable core fixed to said valve and positioned relative to said electro-magnetic solenoid such that said movable core is attracted to said fixed core upon excitation of said electro-magnetic solenoid to fluidically communicate said first and second ports; an annular diaphragm positioned between said valve and said electro-magnetic solenoid and sealingly mounted to said movable core so as to form a fluid tight pressure chamber on a side of said diaphragm opposite said valve, wherein an outer circumference of said diaphragm is fixed relative to said axial bore of said bobbin, whereby said movable core is held in said axial bore and coaxial thereto by said diaphragm, and wherein said diaphragm comprises a corrugated metal disc having a center hole, said disc having an outer circumference sealingly imbedded in a wall of said bobbin and being sealingly mounted to said movable core via said center hole; and a passage in said movable core for fluidically communicating said pressure chamber with said second port, whereby forces acting on said valve due to pressure differences across said valve are cancelled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
An electro-magnetic proportional flow control valve, comprising: an electromagnet solenoid including a bobbin having an axial bore and a fixed core in said axial bore; a valve housing defining a first port, a second port and a valve seat fluidically positioned between said first and second ports; a valve normally in a closing position for closing said valve seat and interrupting fluid communication between said first and second ports; a movable core fixed to said valve and positioned relative to said electro-magnetic solenoid such that said movable core is attracted to said fixed core upon excitation of said electro-magnetic solenoid to fluidically communicate said first and second ports; an annular diaphragm positioned between said valve and said electro-magnetic solenoid and sealingly mounted to said movable core so as to form a fluid tight pressure chamber on a side of said diaphragm opposite said valve, wherein an outer circumference of said diaphragm is fixed relative to said axial bore of said bobbin, whereby said movable core is held in said axial bore and coaxial thereto by said diaphragm, and wherein said diaphragm comprises a corrugated metal disc having a center hole, said disc having an outer circumference sealingly imbedded in a wall of said bobbin and being sealingly mounted to said movable core via said center hole; and a passage in said movable core for fluidically communicating said pressure chamber with said second port, whereby forces acting on said valve due to pressure differences across said valve are cancelled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said pressure chamber has an effective area equal to an effective area of an opening defined by said valve seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm is made of metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said movable core is supported only by said diaphragm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vale of claim 1 wherein a side of said diaphragm opposite said pressure chamber is in fluid communication with said first port when said valve is in said closing position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
245 words
An electro-magnetic proportional flow control valve, comprising: an electromagnetic solenoid including a bobbin having an axial bore and a fixed core in said axial bore; a valve housing defining a first port, a second port and a valve seat fluidically positioned between said first and second ports; a valve normally in a closing position for closing said valve seat and interrupting fluid communication between said first and second ports; a movable core fixed to said valve and positioned relative to said electro-magnetic solenoid such that said movable core is attracted to said fixed core upon excitation of said electro-magnetic solenoid to fluidically communicate said first and second ports; an annular diaphragm positioned between said valve and said electro-magnetic solenoid and sealingly mounted to said movable core so as to form a fluid tight pressure chamber on a side of said diaphragm opposite said valve; a passage in said movable core for fluidically communicating said pressure chamber with said second port, whereby forces acting on said valve due to pressure differences across said valve are cancelled; a first spring positioned between said fixed and movable cores for biasing said valve into said closing position for closing said valve seat; a second spring positioned for urging said valve away from said closing position; and means for adjusting a force necessary for moving said valve from said closing position, wherein said adjusting means comprises a displaceable member, said second spring extending between said displaceable member and said valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
245 words
An electro-magnetic proportional flow control valve, comprising: an electromagnetic solenoid including a bobbin having an axial bore and a fixed core in said axial bore; a valve housing defining a first port, a second port and a valve seat fluidically positioned between said first and second ports; a valve normally in a closing position for closing said valve seat and interrupting fluid communication between said first and second ports; a movable core fixed to said valve and positioned relative to said electro-magnetic solenoid such that said movable core is attracted to said fixed core upon excitation of said electro-magnetic solenoid to fluidically communicate said first and second ports; an annular diaphragm positioned between said valve and said electro-magnetic solenoid and sealingly mounted to said movable core so as to form a fluid tight pressure chamber on a side of said diaphragm opposite said valve; a passage in said movable core for fluidically communicating said pressure chamber with said second port, whereby forces acting on said valve due to pressure differences across said valve are cancelled; a first spring positioned between said fixed and movable cores for biasing said valve into said closing position for closing said valve seat; a second spring positioned for urging said valve away from said closing position; and means for adjusting a force necessary for moving said valve from said closing position, wherein said adjusting means comprises a displaceable member, said second spring extending between said displaceable member and said valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve of claim 6 wherein said displaceable member is a screw threaded in said valve housing.