Importance

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Abstract

A valve assembly including a valve housing with a spool valve mounted for reciprocation within the valve housing, with a detent mechanism disposed on the spool valve and the valve housing for selectively locking the spool valve against reciprocal movement, and for providing an externally observable indicator of valve position. In an illustrative embodiment, the detent assembly of the present invention includes at least one detent pin disposed on the spool valve, with at least one guide flange disposed on the valve housing. The guide flange is adapted to at least partially surround the detent pin. At least one retaining clip is provided which is adapted for insertion through the guide flange to engage the detent pin. When the retaining clip is inserted through the guide flange and in engagement with the detent pin, the spool valve is locked into a predetermined stationary position, and cannot reciprocate. The detent assembly can also include at least one detent pad disposed in the valve housing which is capable of operative engagement with the detent pin in order to provide a physical indication of the position of the spool valve. The detent pad can be provided in the form of an elastomeric washer disposed at one end of the valve housing. The elastomeric washer is provided with a central aperture having a diameter that is substantially less than the outer diameter of the detent pin of the spool valve. The detent pin can be provided with a recessed groove which interacts with the detent pad to provide a tactile indication that the spool valve has reached a predetermined position.

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First Claim