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A switching control valve for use in controlling the motion of a hydraulic component is provided. The valve includes a housing that defines a feed port, an outlet port, a drain port, and a longitudinal opening through the housing. The valve also includes an inlet valve moveably positionable in the l

A switching control valve for use in controlling the motion of a hydraulic component is provided. The valve includes a housing that defines a feed port, an outlet port, a drain port, and a longitudinal opening through the housing. The valve also includes an inlet valve moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening for selectively fluidly connecting the feed port to the outlet port, as well as a drain valve moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening for selectively fluidly connecting the outlet port to the drain port. The valve further includes a valve shaft that is moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening, such as by a solenoid or similar control device, and is operably connected to the inlet valve and the drain valve. The housing, the inlet valve and/or the drain valve are configured to provide permanent fluid communication between the outlet port and the drain port.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A switching control valve assembly for use in controlling the motion of a hydraulic component, said valve assembly comprising: a housing defining a feed port, an outlet port and a drain port, said housing defining a longitudinal opening therein; an inlet valve moveably positi

What is claimed is: 1. A switching control valve assembly for use in controlling the motion of a hydraulic component, said valve assembly comprising: a housing defining a feed port, an outlet port and a drain port, said housing defining a longitudinal opening therein; an inlet valve moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening of said housing for selectively fluidly connecting the feed port to the outlet port; a drain valve moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening of said housing for selectively fluidly connecting the outlet port to a drain cavity outside said housing though the drain port; a valve shaft moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening of said housing and operably connected to said inlet valve and said drain valve; and a solenoid operably connected to the valve shaft for moveably positioning said valve shaft in the longitudinal opening along the external surface of the housing, wherein the housing is configured to provide permanent fluid communication between the outlet port and the drain port, wherein said inlet valve includes a first pressure balanced poppet valve, and said drain valve includes a second pressure balanced poppet valve. 2. The switching control valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising an activating plunger fluidly connected to the outlet port, said activating plunger operable to control a separate component. 3. The switching control valve assembly of claim 1, wherein: the longitudinal opening of said housing defines a cylindrical bore; and said inlet valve and said drain valve are slidably positionable in the bore. 4. The switching control valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said solenoid includes a conically shaped armature. 5. The switching control valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the permanent fluid communication includes longitudinal flutes defined on the exterior of said housing between said outlet port and said drain port. 6. The switching control valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a floating sleeve disposed between said inlet port and said inlet valve; and a biasing spring disposed between said floating sleeve and said inlet valve, wherein said inlet valve is operably connected to said valve shaft though said biasing spring and floating sleeve. 7. The switching control valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spherical ball valve in fluid communication with the outlet port. 8. The switching control valve assembly of claim 7, wherein said spherical ball valve is an engine valve within an engine. 9. The switching control valve assembly of claim 1, wherein: the drain cavity is in fluid communication with a drain rail though said longitudinal opening; the outlet port is in fluid communication with a separate outlet rail; the inlet port is in fluid communication with a separate inlet rail; and said assembly further comprises a first check valve in communication between said drain rail and said outlet rail and configured to only permit flow from said drain rail to said outlet rail. 10. The switching control valve assembly of claim 9, further comprising a second check valve in communication between said outlet rail and said feed rail and configured to only permit flow from said outlet rail to said feed rail. 11. The switching control valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said solenoid comprises a member with three distinct positions, each of the three positions corresponding to a unique current level. 12. The switching control valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the unique current levels include a no current level, a low current level, and a high current level. 13. The switching control valve assembly of claim 12, wherein when said valve shaft is at one of the three distinct positions the valve shaft positions the inlet valve so that the feed port is closed to said outlet port and positions the drain valve so that the drain port is open to the drain cavity. 14. The switching control valve assembly of claim 12, wherein said one of the three distinct positions of the valve shaft corresponds to said no current level at said solenoid. 15. The switching control valve assembly of claim 12, wherein: when said valve shaft is at a third of the three distinct positions the valve shaft positions said inlet valve so that the feed port is open to the said outlet port and positions said drain valve so that the drain port is closed to the drain cavity; and said third of the three distinct positions corresponds to said high current level at said solenoid. 16. The switching control valve assembly of claim 12, wherein: when said valve shaft is at a second of the three distinct positions the valve shaft positions said inlet valve so that the feed port is closed to said outlet port and positions said drain valve so that the drain port is closed to the drain cavity; and said second of the three distinct positions corresponds to said low current level at said solenoid.