Fluid handling – Processes – Cleaning – repairing – or assembling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-10
2001-11-27
Michalsky, Gerald A. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
C137S596170, C137S596200, C137S625650
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321767
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an engine oil solenoid control valve for controlling oil pressure for valve lifter activation/deactivation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Internal combustion engines for motor vehicles are known which include a hydraulic system for performing work in addition to lubrication. This work can be used to activate/deactivate cylinders of an internal combustion engine to conserve fuel. Such a hydraulic valve lifter activation/deactivation system can include a hydraulic control valve in a valve housing mechanically connected to a separate solenoid. The solenoid includes a solenoid coil bobbin on which a wire coil is wound and an armature that moves the control valve in response to an input signal (coil electrical current signal) to the wire coil to control hydraulic pressure in the valve lifter oil control gallery. A separate check valve assembly is mounted in a fluid exhaust passage (vent-to-sump) in the engine block or cylinder head and functions to maintain oil pressure in the oil control gallery at a preselected minimum value. Such engine oil control solenoids comprise numerous components which must be assembled together and are known to suffer from hydraulic fluid (oil) leakage through various paths around the solenoid housing. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved engine oil solenoid control valve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hydraulic fluid solenoid control valve, such as in one embodiment, an engine oil solenoid control valve including a molded one-piece member that defines a check valve-receiving region and a coil bobbin region of the solenoid. The check valve-receiving region includes an integral check valve-receiving receptacle associated with an exhaust port of the control valve. A check valve is received in the receptacle. A solenoid armature is received in the coil bobbin region on which region a solenoid coil is wound.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the molded one-piece member includes an end proximate the check valve-receiving region that receives a fluid port-forming sleeve member that provides a supply port and control port. A spool valve is received in the port-forming sleeve member and includes a spool valve end connected to the armature of the solenoid. The spool valve moves in response to movement of the solenoid armature in response to electrical current signals supplied to the solenoid coil. The spool valve includes first and second lands that are moved relative to the respective fluid supply port and control port to control fluid flow at the control port.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fast response, high flow rate is provided by a preselected gap provided between the end of the armature and a pole piece in the coil bobbin region together with an annular control port configuration and cylindrical spool lands. The preselected gap in turn defines a spool valve open position relative to the control port where, at the valve open position, a flow area is provided to the control port equal to the circumference of the annular control port configuration multiplied times the gap distance by which the spool land opens at the control port.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description taken with the accompanying following drawings.
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Najmolhoda Hamid
Seid David L.
Michalsky Gerald A.
Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
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