GB2277367A - Solenoid-operated spool valve - Google Patents

Solenoid-operated spool valve Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2277367A
GB2277367A GB9308539A GB9308539A GB2277367A GB 2277367 A GB2277367 A GB 2277367A GB 9308539 A GB9308539 A GB 9308539A GB 9308539 A GB9308539 A GB 9308539A GB 2277367 A GB2277367 A GB 2277367A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
valve
end cap
spool
solenoid
clip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9308539A
Other versions
GB9308539D0 (en
GB2277367B (en
Inventor
Peter Graham Romer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Automotive Products PLC
Original Assignee
Automotive Products PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Automotive Products PLC filed Critical Automotive Products PLC
Priority to GB9308539A priority Critical patent/GB2277367B/en
Publication of GB9308539D0 publication Critical patent/GB9308539D0/en
Publication of GB2277367A publication Critical patent/GB2277367A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2277367B publication Critical patent/GB2277367B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
    • F16K31/06—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
    • F16K31/0603—Multiple-way valves
    • F16K31/061—Sliding valves
    • F16K31/0613—Sliding valves with cylindrical slides
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B13/00—Details of servomotor systems ; Valves for servomotor systems
    • F15B13/02—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors
    • F15B13/04—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors for use with a single servomotor
    • F15B13/0401—Valve members; Fluid interconnections therefor
    • F15B13/0402—Valve members; Fluid interconnections therefor for linearly sliding valves, e.g. spool valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F15—FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
    • F15B—SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F15B13/00—Details of servomotor systems ; Valves for servomotor systems
    • F15B13/02—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors
    • F15B13/04—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors for use with a single servomotor
    • F15B13/044—Fluid distribution or supply devices characterised by their adaptation to the control of servomotors for use with a single servomotor operated by electrically-controlled means, e.g. solenoids, torque-motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D48/00—External control of clutches
    • F16D48/02—Control by fluid pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K27/00—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor
    • F16K27/04—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor of sliding valves
    • F16K27/041—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor of sliding valves cylindrical slide valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K27/00—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor
    • F16K27/04—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor of sliding valves
    • F16K27/048—Electromagnetically actuated valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
    • F16K31/06—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic using a magnet, e.g. diaphragm valves, cutting off by means of a liquid
    • F16K31/0603—Multiple-way valves
    • F16K31/061—Sliding valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D48/00—External control of clutches
    • F16D48/02—Control by fluid pressure
    • F16D2048/0209—Control by fluid pressure characterised by fluid valves having control pistons, e.g. spools
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D48/00—External control of clutches
    • F16D48/02—Control by fluid pressure
    • F16D2048/0212—Details of pistons for master or slave cylinders especially adapted for fluid control

Abstract

A solenoid-operated spool valve 6 for use in a clutch control system has a valve body 11 with a spool 20 reciprocable within a bore 12 and a return spring 30 at one end of the spool which acts between the spool and an end cap 33 mounted in a screw-threaded portion 34 of the bore 12 such that the axial position of the end cap is adjustable to determine the position of the spool during activation of the solenoid by electrical current. The minimum torque load required to turn the end cap 33 within screw-threaded bore portion 34 is determined by a resilient clip friction damping device 40 acting between the end cap 33 and the valve body 12. The clip 40 is U-shaped, its free end portions 41 being bent normal to the remainder of the clip. The portions 41 are pushed between rebated portions of the end cap 33 and the screw-threaded bore 34. <IMAGE>

Description

A SOLENOID OPERATED SPOOL VALVE The present invention relates to a solenoid operated spool valve of the type frequently used in hydraulic control systems, and in particular to spool valves used in clutch control systems.
In a known form of solenoid operated spool valve of the type disclosed in WO 91/13266 the solenoid is arranged to move the spool valve against the load in a return spring. The solenoid operating current and the spring load exerted by the return spring are inter-related so that for a given operating current the spool valve movement is predictable.
The adjustment of the spring load to give a predicted movement of the valve spool is easily achieved by means of a screw adjustable end cap located with the valve body and against which the return spring reacts.
However once the adjustment has been made it is necessary to lock the screw end cap in position in such a manner as not to preclude further adjustment if necessary, and which allows an infinite number of adjustable positions as compared with step wise adjustment locking devices.
Accordingly there is provided a solenoid operated spool valve having a valve body with a spool reciprocable within a bore in the body and a return spring at one end of the spool acting between the spool and an end cap mounted in a screw threaded portion of the bore such that the axial position of the end cap is adjustable to determine the position of the spool during activation of the solenoid by a known electrical current, characterised in that the minimum torque load required to turn the end cap within its cooperating screw threaded portion is determined by a resilient clip friction damping device acting between the end cap and the valve body.
Preferably the resilient spring clip is a 'U' shaped spring wire clip having the free ends of its two limbs acting to resist relative rotation between the end cap and the body.
Conveniently the end cap has a chordal portion removed from the outer periphery thereof, and the free end portions of the limbs of the resilient clip are located within the chordal aperture defined between the end cap and the body so that the said ends are biased into the intersections between the end cap and body.
The clip is preferably made from a spring steel wire having a diameter 0.9mm, and which exerts a locking load such that a torque of at least 100 N mm must be exerted on the end cap to turn the end cap within the body.
Also there is provided a method of adjusting the movement of valve by a solenoid for a known solenoid operating current, the valve comprising a spool valve of the above type wherein the preload on the spool valve return spring is adjusted to hold the spool valve in a predetermined location for a known current.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a clutch operating system, Fig 2 is a section through a control valve according to the present invention in the system shown in Fig 1, Fig 3 is a view of the valve of Fig 2 in the direction of arrow A, and, Fig 4 is a view partly in section of the valve of Fig 2 coupled to a solenoid.
Referring to Fig 1 a control system for a clutch comprises a fluid reservoir 1, a fluid supply pipe 2 leading from the reservoir 1, via a pump 3 which forms a source of fluid pressure, a valve 4 and an accumulator 5, to a control valve 6. A drain 7 runs from the control valve 6 back to the reservoir 1. A service pipe 8 runs from the control valve 6 to a fluid pressure actuator 9 for a clutch 10.
The clutch 10 has a diaphragm spring 11 which provides a spring force to engage the clutch. The actuator 9, controlled by operation of the control valve6, can disengage the clutch 10.
Referring to Fig 2, the valve 6 is a spool valve comprising a valve body 11 having an axial bore 12.
An inlet port 14, a service port 16 and an outlet port 18 open into the bore 12. The inlet port 14 is connected to the fluid supply pipe 2, the service port 16 is connected to the service pipe 8, and the outlet port 18 is connected to the drain 7.
The ports 14, 16, 18 are spaced along the bore 12, the service port 16 being between the inlet port 14 and the outlet port 18. A flow control means in the form of a spool 20 is slideably positioned in the bore 12. The spool 20 comprises a first land 24, a second land 26 and a third land 28. The second land 26 is long enough to completely close the service port 16 when the spool 20 is in an intermediate null position as shown in Fig 2. The lands 24, 26, 28 are spaced along the spool 20 such that when the spool is in the null position the first land 24 covers a part of the outlet port 18 furthest from the service port 16, and the third land 28 is on the side of the inlet port 14 furthest from the serivice port 16 and does not cover the inlet port 14. Referring to Fig 4, a solenoid 36 is arranged to exert a force on the end of the spool 20 nearest the inlet port 14. When current flows in the solenoid 36 it forces the spool 20 in a first direction towards the outlet port 18 to move the spool to the null position.
The spool 20 is returned by a return spring 30 along the bore 12 in a second direction towards the inlet port 14. The spring 30 acts between a shoulder 31 adjacent the first land 24 and an end wall 32 of the valve. The end wall 32 is part of an end cap 33 which screws into a screw threaded portion 34 of the bore 12. The thread is a fine thread allowing for prior adjustments. Typically the thread has a lmm pitch.
For low currents upto amps for a 12 volt system, and utilising a return spring 30 of relatively high spring rate (8 N/mm) then the movement of the spool against the spring bias is proportional to the current flowing through the solenoid 36.
To set up the valve, a mid range current of about 0.75 amps is passed through the solenoid 36 and the end cap is screwed into or out of the threaded portion 34 until the land 26 is aligned with the service port 16 so that no fluid crosses the land 26.
Such an adjustment may only require an adjustment of of turn of the end cap.
A torque spring 40 operates between the end cap 33 and the body 11. This facilitates small adjustment movements, and provides an adjustment locking device that can operate in any adjusted position.
The torque spring 40 is made from spring steel wire (BS 5216ND3) 0.9 mm dia and is in the form of a 'U' shaped clip, the free end portions 41 of the arm 42 being normal to the body of the clip.
The end cap 33 has a chordal portion removed from its outer periphery to form an aperture 35 defined by the internal surface of the screw portion 34 and a flat surface 36 on a chord of the end cap. The end portions 41 of the arms 42 engage in the chordal aperture 35.
The spring end is formed so that in its relaxed state the distance 'D' between the ends of the arms is lOmm, but when assembled the distance 'D' between the arms is 7mm.
The spring 40 exerts a friction damping load between the end cap 33 and the valve body 11, particularly against the internal surface of the screw thread of about 100 N mm atom which must be overcome before the end cap 33 can be adjusted to a new position.
The end portions 41 of arms 42 are resiliently biased apart, and the end portions 41 jam into the intersection between the chordal surface 36, and the internal surface of the screw threads.
The actual operation of the valve forms no part of the present invention. A detailed account of the valve operation is given in WO91/13266.

Claims (9)

1. A solenoid operated spool valve having a valve body with a spool reciprocable within a bore in the body and a return spring at one end of the spool acting between the spool and an end cap mounted in a screw threaded portion of the bore such that the axial position of the end cap is adjustable to determine the position of the spool during activation of the solenoid by a known electrical current, characterised in that the minimum torque load required to turn the end cap within its cooperated screw threaded portion is determined by a resilient clip friction damping device acting between the end cap and the valve body.
2. A valve as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the resilient clip is a 'U' shaped spring wire clip having the free ends of its two limbs acting to resist relative rotation between the end cap and the body.
3. A valve as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the end cap has a chordal portion removed from the outer periphery thereof, and the free end portions of the limbs of the resilient clip are located within the chordal aperture between the end cap and the body so that the said ends are biased into the intersections between the end cap and body.
4. A valve as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the end portions of the limbs are normal to the plane of the body of the U shaped clip.
5. A valve as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the return spring has a spring rating of 8 N mm and the resilient spring exerts a damping load which can be overcome by a minimum torque load of 100 N mm in order to turn the end cap relative to the body.
6. A valve as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the resilient clip is formed from 0.9 mm dia spring steel wire.
7. A method of adjusting the movement of a valve by a solenoid for a known solenoid operating current, the valve comprising a spool valve as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the preload on the spool valve return spring is adjusted to hold the spool valve in a predetermined location for a known current, as the end cap is held in the adjusted position by a friction damping load exerted by the resilient clip.
8. A method as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the known current lies mid range of the solenoid operating current range.
9. A solenoid operated valve substantially as described herein.
GB9308539A 1993-04-24 1993-04-24 A solenoid operated spool valve Expired - Fee Related GB2277367B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9308539A GB2277367B (en) 1993-04-24 1993-04-24 A solenoid operated spool valve

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9308539A GB2277367B (en) 1993-04-24 1993-04-24 A solenoid operated spool valve

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9308539D0 GB9308539D0 (en) 1993-06-09
GB2277367A true GB2277367A (en) 1994-10-26
GB2277367B GB2277367B (en) 1997-01-15

Family

ID=10734445

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9308539A Expired - Fee Related GB2277367B (en) 1993-04-24 1993-04-24 A solenoid operated spool valve

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2277367B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997040300A1 (en) * 1996-04-20 1997-10-30 Ap Kongsberg Ltd. Hydraulic actuation system
WO1999000602A1 (en) * 1997-06-26 1999-01-07 Mannesmann Rexroth Ag Hydraulic valve, especially for controlling a camshaft movement in an automobile

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997040300A1 (en) * 1996-04-20 1997-10-30 Ap Kongsberg Ltd. Hydraulic actuation system
GB2316454A (en) * 1996-04-20 1998-02-25 Ap Kongsberg Ltd Hydraulic actuation system
GB2316454B (en) * 1996-04-20 2000-02-09 Ap Kongsberg Ltd Hydraulic actuation system
WO1999000602A1 (en) * 1997-06-26 1999-01-07 Mannesmann Rexroth Ag Hydraulic valve, especially for controlling a camshaft movement in an automobile

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9308539D0 (en) 1993-06-09
GB2277367B (en) 1997-01-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20100424