Importance

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Abstract

A latching, dynamically balanced, fluid control valve. The valve includes a housing which has a supply port, a cylinder port and a return port. Fluid communication between the supply port and the cylinder port is controlled by a first valve that opens and closes a against first valve seat of the housing. Fluid communication between the supply port and the return port is controlled by a second valve that opens and closes against a second valve seat. The valves are connected to a transfer tube that is coupled to a pair of solenoids. The solenoids can be actuated to move the tube and valves between a first position, which allows fluid communication between the supply port and the cylinder port, and a second position that allows fluid communication between the supply port and the return port. The solenoids are actuated by short digital pulses that latch the transfer tube and valves into either the first or second position. Each solenoid is sealed by a seal that has an effective area which is approximately equal to the area of the valve seats. Each seal is located oppositely from a valve seat so that opposing fluid pressures are applied to the seal and the seat washer. The opposing pressures create a net force on the transfer tube that is approximately zero.

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First Claim