US 12,188,525 B2
Solenoid stabilizers and methods for stabilizing solenoids in valve bodies
James A. Dial, Springfield, MO (US); and Andrew M. Deyo, Keene, NH (US)
Assigned to Sonnax Transmission Company, Bellows Falls, VT (US)
Filed by Sonnax Transmission Company, Bellows Falls, VT (US)
Filed on Dec. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/090,266.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/309,712, filed on Feb. 14, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0258236 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
Int. Cl. F16K 27/02 (2006.01); F16D 25/12 (2006.01); F16K 31/06 (2006.01); F16D 125/58 (2012.01)
CPC F16D 25/126 (2013.01) [F16K 27/029 (2013.01); F16K 31/0675 (2013.01); F16D 2125/58 (2013.01); F16D 2300/12 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A stabilizer for a spring retainer that secures a solenoid in a transmission fluid valve body, the valve body having bores therein collinear with one another and collinear with a movable valve stem, and a slot in the valve body between the bores, the solenoid having body, a shoulder, a head, and a neck between the head and the shoulder, the solenoid positioned in the valve body with the neck located at the slot,
the spring retainer having an inverted U-shaped body with corresponding front and rear walls, each the front and rear walls having a top and legs, the legs defining free ends opposite the top, the front and rear walls joined to one another at their respective free ends, at a bend, to space the front and rear walls from one another, the spring retainer positioned on the solenoid neck in the slot, such that the front wall of the spring retainer rests on and applies a force on the solenoid head, and a portion of the rear wall of the spring retainer rests on a rear wall of the valve body slot, the stabilizer comprising:
an inverted U-shaped body corresponding to the inverted U-shaped body of the spring retainer and having a top and a pair of depending, the legs defining free ends opposite the top, the stabilizer configured for positioning in the spring retainer between the front and rear walls to maintain a spacing between the spring retainer front and rear walls when the spring retainer is installed to secure the solenoid in the transmission fluid valve body.