Solenoid activated exhaust gas recirculation valve

[54] SOLENOID ACTIVATED EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE

[75] Inventors: Earl Pearson, Knoxville; Alfred A.

Frankenberg, Seymour, both of Tenn.

[73] Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va.

[21] Appl. No.: 340,759

[22] Filed: Nov. 16,1994

Related U.S. Application Data

[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 180,661, Jan. 12,1994, Pat. No. 5,460,146.

[51] Int. CI.6 F02M 25/07; H01F 7/08;

F16K 37/00

[52] U.S. CI 251/129.15; 335/278; 123/571

[58] Field of Search 123/339, 571;

251/129.15, 129.16, 129.17; 335/219, 220, 221, 236, 255, 261, 278, 279

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,024,484 5/1977 Tomczak et al 336/30

4,442,998 4/1984 Ohyama et al 335/255

4,567,910 2/1986 Slavin et al 137/82

4,583,067 4/1986 Hara 335/261

4,662,604 5/1987 Cook 251/129.07

4,720,078 1/1988 Nakamura et al 251/129.15

4,809,742 3/1989 Grau 251/129.15

4,882,558 11/1989 Takayanagi 335/278

4,919,390 4/1990 Ichiryu et al 251/129.15

4,998,707 3/1991 Meyer et al 251/129.15

5,020,505 6/1991 Grey et al 123/571

5,094,218 3/1992 Everingham et al 123/571

5,188,073 2/1993 Ejiri et al 251/129.15

5,232,196 8/1993 Hutchings et al 251/129.15

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

PCT International Search Report for International Applica-
tion No. PCT/US95/00573, May 26, 1995.
Ford Motor Company Purchase Order 47-E-E82778 to
Robertshaw Controls Co., dated Oct. 29, 1990.
Robertshaw Controls Co. Sales Invoice 18795-01 to Ford
Motor Company, date Nov. 7, 1990.
Ford Motor Company Request for Quotation 47-E-E85531
to Robertshaw Controls Co., dated Dec. 17, 1990.
Robertshaw Controls Co. Sales Invoice 19092-01 to Ford
Motor Company, dated Jan. 7, 1991.
Robertshaw Tennessee Division Solenoid EGR Valve Exp.
Dwg. No. 27235-RC, dated Jul. 12, 1990.

Primary Examiner—Willis R. Wolfe

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Hei

nke Co.

[57] ABSTRACT

A valve for combining exhaust gas from an engine combustion chamber with engine intake gases. The valve includes a valve body having a gas inlet and a gas outlet connected by a throughpassage. A flow control member supported by the valve body regulates flow through the valve body throughpassage. A magnetic drive is supported for movement with respect to the valve body and coupled to the flow control member to regulate flow in the throughpassage. An electronically actuated field-generating solenoid moves the magnetic drive member to control flow through the valve body. The solenoid and a sensor for monitoring a position of the magnetic drive are supported within a plastic molded housing. The plastic housing also partially encapsulates a pole piece that forms a magnetic circuit in combination with the magnetic drive.

32 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets