초록 ▼

A pulse width modulated solenoid system having low noise characteristics is described. Noise reduction is primarily achieved by separating the solenoid device from the insulator and the manifold housing through the use of rubber isolators and multiple sets of o-rings, thus preventing metal to metal

A pulse width modulated solenoid system having low noise characteristics is described. Noise reduction is primarily achieved by separating the solenoid device from the insulator and the manifold housing through the use of rubber isolators and multiple sets of o-rings, thus preventing metal to metal contact. Additional noise reduction is achieved by encapsulating all of the solenoids, using the insulator, the cover plate, the housing, and the screen carrier. Noise levels are also further reduced by minimizing the impact force of the armature against the sleeve by allowing fluid to vent into the upper area of the sleeve, thus causing a dampening effect.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A solenoid-actuated valve assembly with reduced noise characteristics, comprising: a manifold housing member having first and second bores formed therein;a first solenoid-actuated valve member disposed within said first bore, said first solenoid-actuated valve member including a solenoid portion

1. A solenoid-actuated valve assembly with reduced noise characteristics, comprising: a manifold housing member having first and second bores formed therein;a first solenoid-actuated valve member disposed within said first bore, said first solenoid-actuated valve member including a solenoid portion and a valve portion, said valve portion having a vertically non-secured fit within said manifold bore;a second solenoid-actuated valve member disposed within said second bore, said second solenoid-actuated valve member including a solenoid portion and a valve portion;a cover member secured to said manifold housing;an insulator member in proximity to said cover member and to said solenoid portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members, wherein said insulator member has conduction members disposed within said insulator member for supplying energy to said solenoid portions;a first unitary isolator member separate from and disposed between said insulator member and said solenoid portion of said first solenoid-actuated valve member, said first isolator member being in direct contact with said insulator member and said first isolator member being operable to reduce vibration transmission from said solenoid portion of said first solenoid-actuated valve member to said insulator member and said cover member;a second unitary isolator member disposed between said insulator member and said solenoid portion of said second solenoid-actuated valve member, said second isolator member operable to reduce vibration transmission from said solenoid portion of said second solenoid-actuated valve member to said insulator member and said cover member;a first plurality of gasket members disposed about said valve portion of said first solenoid-actuated valve member, said first plurality of gasket members operable to reduce vibration transmission from said valve portion of said first solenoid-actuated valve member to said manifold housing member; anda second plurality of gasket members disposed about said valve portion of said second solenoid-actuated valve member, said second plurality of gasket members operable to reduce vibration transmission from said valve portion of said second solenoid-actuated valve member to said manifold housing member. 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said solenoid portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a selectively movable armature member and a sleeve member, wherein said armature member is at least partially received within said sleeve member, wherein a dampening portion is defined between a surface of said sleeve member and a surface of said armature member, wherein a fluid is operable to be vented into said dampening portion. 3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein said armature member includes at least one area defining an axial groove formed on an external surface thereof. 4. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising a cover plate member adjacent said insulator member. 5. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising a screen carrier member adjacent said manifold housing member. 6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said valve portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a retainer member disposed therein, wherein said retainer member includes first and second seat portions. 7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein said valve portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a ball member selectively operable to contact either of said first and second seat portions. 8. The invention according to claim 7, wherein said solenoid portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a stem member extending from said armature member, wherein said stem member is selectively operable to contact said ball member. 9. The invention according to claim 8, wherein said valve portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a plunger member adjacent said stem member, wherein said plunger member is selectively operable to contact said ball member. 10. The invention according to claim 9, wherein said plunger member includes at least one area defining an axial scalloped flute portion formed on an external surface thereof. 11. The invention according to claim 9 wherein the valve portion has a first plurality of gasket members including at least three gaskets and wherein upper gaskets have a radius significantly greater than the radius of the lower gasket. 12. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first isolator is positioned adjacent a flux washer. 13. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first isolator is comprised of a polymeric material. 14. A solenoid-actuated valve assembly with reduced noise characteristics, comprising: a manifold housing member having a first and second longitudinally extending bores formed therein;a first solenoid-actuated valve member disposed within said first bore, said first solenoid-actuated valve member including a solenoid portion and a valve portion, said valve portion having a vertically non-secured fit within said manifold bore, said valve portion having a plunger having at least one axial scalloped surface for contacting said bore and said plunger member having at least one flow area, wherein said at least one axial scalloped surface maximizes the contact area between said plunger and said bore while maximizing the flow through said at least one flow area;a second solenoid-actuated valve member disposed within said second bore, said second solenoid-actuated valve member including a solenoid portion and a valve portion, said valve portion having a vertically non-secured fit within said manifold bore, said valve portion having a plunger having at least one axial scalloped surface for contacting said bore and said plunger member having at least one fluid flow area, wherein said at least one axial scalloped surface maximizes the contact area between said plunger and said bore while maximizing the flow through said at least one fluid flow area;a cover member secured to said manifold housing;an insulator member in proximity to said solenoid portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members, wherein said insulator member has conduction members disposed within said insulator member for supplying energy to said solenoid portions;a first unitary resiliently deformable isolator member separate from and disposed between said insulator member and said solenoid portion of said first solenoid-actuated valve member, said first isolator member being in direct contact with said insulator member and said first isolator member being operable to reduce vibration transmission from said solenoid portion of said first solenoid-actuated valve member to said insulator member and said cover member;a second unitary resiliently deformable isolator member separate from and disposed between said insulator member and said solenoid portion of said second solenoid-actuated valve member, said second isolator member being in direct contact with said insulator member and said second isolator member being operable to reduce vibration transmission from said solenoid portion of said second solenoid-actuated valve member to said insulator member and said cover member;a first plurality of resiliently deformable gasket members disposed about said valve portion of said first solenoid-actuated valve member, said first plurality of gasket members operable to reduce vibration transmission from said valve portion of said first solenoid-actuated valve member to said manifold housing member; anda second plurality of resiliently deformable gasket members disposed about said valve portion of said second solenoid-actuated valve member, said second plurality of gasket members operable to reduce vibration transmission from said valve portion of said second solenoid-actuated valve member to said manifold housing member. 15. The invention according to claim 14, wherein said solenoid portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a selectively movable armature member and a sleeve member, wherein said armature member is at least partially received within said sleeve member, wherein a dampening portion is defined between a surface of said sleeve member and a surface of said armature member, wherein a fluid is operable to be vented into said dampening portion. 16. The invention according to claim 15, wherein said armature member includes at least one area defining an axial groove formed on an external surface thereof. 17. The invention according to claim 14, further comprising a cover plate member adjacent said insulator member. 18. The invention according to claim 14, further comprising a screen carrier member adjacent said manifold housing member. 19. The invention according to claim 14, wherein said valve portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a retainer member disposed therein, wherein said retainer member includes first and second seat portions. 20. The invention according to claim 19, wherein said valve portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a ball member selectively operable to contact either of said first and second seat portions. 21. The invention according to claim 20, wherein said solenoid portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a stem member extending from said armature member, wherein said stem member is selectively operable to contact said ball member. 22. The invention according to claim 21, wherein said valve portions of said first and second solenoid-actuated valve members include a plunger member adjacent said stem member, wherein said plunger member is selectively operable to contact said ball member. 23. A solenoid-actuated valve assembly with reduced noise characteristics, comprising: a manifold housing member having at least two bores formed therein;at least two solenoid-actuated valve members disposed within said bores, said solenoid-actuated valve members including a solenoid portion and a valve portion , said valve portion having a vertically non-secured fit within said manifold bore, said valve portion having a plunger having at least one axial scalloped surface for contacting said bore and said plunger member having at least one flow area, wherein said at least one axial scalloped surface maximizes the contact area between said plunger and said bore while maximizing the flow through said at least one flow area;a cover member secured to said manifold housing;an insulator member in proximity to said solenoid portions of said solenoid-actuated valve members, wherein said insulator member has conduction members disposed within said insulator member for supplying energy to said solenoid portions;at least two unitary isolator members, each of which are separate from and disposed between said insulator member and each of said solenoid portions, said isolator members being in direct contact with said insulator member and said isolator members being operable to reduce vibration transmission from said solenoid portions to said insulator member and said cover member; andat least two gasket members, each of which are disposed about said valve portions, said gasket members operable to reduce vibration transmission from said valve portions to said manifold housing member. 24. The invention according to claim 23, wherein said solenoid portion includes a selectively movable armature member and a sleeve member, wherein said armature member is at least partially received within said sleeve member, wherein a dampening portion is defined between a surface of said sleeve member and a surface of said armature member, wherein a fluid is operable to be vented into said dampening portion. 25. The invention according to claim 24, wherein said armature member includes at least one area defining an axial groove formed on an external surface thereof. 26. The invention according to claim 23, further comprising a cover plate member adjacent said insulator member. 27. The invention according to claim 23, further comprising a screen carrier member adjacent said manifold housing member. 28. The invention according to claim 23, wherein said valve portion includes a retainer member disposed therein, wherein said retainer member includes first and second seat portions. 29. The invention according to claim 28, wherein said valve portion includes a ball member selectively operable to contact either of said first and second seat portions. 30. The invention according to claim 29, wherein said solenoid portion includes a stem member extending from said armature member, wherein said stem member is selectively operable to contact said ball member. 31. The invention according to claim 30, wherein said valve portion includes a plunger member adjacent said stem member, wherein said plunger member is selectively operable to contact said ball member.