Solenoid valve and device having the solenoid valve

Abstract

The invention relates to a solenoid valve (10) comprising a body (12) with a main fluid inlet (14), a main fluid outlet (16) and a main passage (18) which connects the main inlet to the main outlet; a main valve (20) having a shutter (38), the main valve (20) being movable between a position closing the main passage (18) by way of the shutter (38) and a position opening the main passage (18), the main valve comprising an auxiliary fluid inlet (22) in communication with the main inlet and an auxiliary fluid outlet (24) in communication with the main outlet; an intermediate chamber (26) connecting the auxiliary inlet and the auxiliary outlet and a pilot valve (28) that is movable between a state closing the auxiliary inlet and a state closing the auxiliary outlet and for driving the main valve towards the opening position. The invention also relates to a device having the solenoid valve.

Description

[0001] Solenoid valve and equipment with solenoid valve

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a solenoid valve and equipment with the solenoid valve.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] Document EP2921753 discloses a valve for cryogenic gas. The valve comprises a body with a main inlet, a main outlet and a main passageway that connects the main inlet to the main outlet. The valve also comprises a main shutter of the main passageway, the main shutter comprising an auxiliary inlet, an auxiliary outlet in communication with the main outlet and an auxiliary passageway that connects the auxiliary inlet to the auxiliary outlet. The valve further comprises an auxiliary shutter comprising a closing surface configured to cut off the auxiliary passageway and to drive the main shutter in the closing direction. The auxiliary shutter further comprises a driving surface configured to drive the main shutter in the opening direction by bearing on the edge of the auxiliary inlet and partially blocking it in order to slow down a flow therein.

[0006] The disadvantage of this valve is that it can only be used with gaseous fluid, which restricts the area of ​​use of this valve.

[0007] Document GB2276222 describes a solenoid valve for hot water central heating radiators. Document US4746093 describes a solenoid valve whose inlet point is supplied with gaseous fluid. Document FR1305081 describes a valve composed of a main piston which moves longitudinally in a box and one of the ends of which rests at the end of one of its strokes on the valve seat, and an auxiliary piston arranged inside the main piston and intended to guide the latter. A clearance is provided between the main piston and the inner wall of the valve box receiving the main piston. It is advantageous in this document not to put a seal between the outer wall of the main piston and the inner wall of the valve box receiving the main piston.This allows for clearance between the main piston and the inner wall of the valve box housing the main piston so that the main piston can be positioned on the valve seat. The auxiliary piston, under the effect of its own weight, presses against the valve seat and closes it. Finally, according to this document, this valve is particularly suitable for substances of high viscosity and for cases where the temperature is high, due to the absence of a seal between the main piston and the inner wall of the valve box housing the main piston. The disadvantage of the valve in these documents is that the operation restricts the area of ​​use.

[0008] There is a need for a valve with a wider range of applications.

[0009] Statement of the invention

[0010] To this end, the invention provides a solenoid valve comprising a body with a main fluid inlet, a main fluid outlet and a main passage which connects the main inlet to the main outlet; a main valve with a shutter, the main valve being movable between a position of closing the main passage by the shutter and a position of opening the main passage, the main valve comprising an auxiliary fluid inlet in communication with the main inlet and an auxiliary fluid outlet in communication with the main outlet; an intermediate chamber connecting the auxiliary inlet and the auxiliary outlet; a pilot valve movable between a state of closing the auxiliary inlet and a state of closing the auxiliary outlet and for driving the main valve towards the open position.

[0011] According to a variant, the pilot valve is further configured to drive the main valve towards the closing position of the main passage.

[0012] According to one variant, the pilot valve is configured to drive the main valve to the open position by urging one surface of the main valve or to the closed position by urging another surface of the main valve. According to one variant, the pilot valve is in a bore of the main valve, the radial movement of the pilot valve in the bore maintaining the sealing of the closure of the auxiliary inlet or the auxiliary outlet.

[0013] According to a variant, the axial travel of the pilot valve is less than the axial travel of the main valve.

[0014] According to one variant, the solenoid valve is capable of receiving the fluid which is propellant in the liquid single-phase state, in the gaseous single-phase state or in the liquid and gaseous two-phase state.

[0015] According to a variant, the solenoid valve further comprises an enclosure, the main valve comprising a piston movable in the enclosure and separating the intermediate chamber from the main inlet within the enclosure.

[0016] Alternatively, the auxiliary inlet is in the piston and the auxiliary outlet is in the actuating rod.

[0017] According to a variant, the main valve is driven to the open position of the main passage with the pilot valve in the closed state of the auxiliary inlet and by emptying the intermediate chamber towards the main outlet.

[0018] According to a variant, the solenoid valve further comprises an enclosure, the main valve comprising a piston movable in the enclosure and separating the intermediate chamber from the main outlet within the enclosure.

[0019] Alternatively, the auxiliary inlet is in the actuating rod and the auxiliary outlet is in the piston.

[0020] According to a variant, the main valve is driven to the open position of the main passage with the pilot valve in the closed state of the auxiliary outlet and by filling the intermediate chamber from the main inlet.

[0021] According to one variant, the main valve comprises an actuating rod connecting the piston to the shutter.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the solenoid valve comprises an electromagnetic actuator with a solenoid and a ferromagnetic core actuated by the magnetic flux of the solenoid, the pilot valve being actuated by the core.

[0023] The invention also relates to equipment with a solenoid valve as described above, the equipment being aerospace or aeronautical equipment, such as a space launcher or an aircraft turbomachine powered by hydrogen or a space launcher.

[0024] The use in this document of the verb "to understand", its variants, as well as its conjugations, cannot in any way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use in this document of the indefinite article "un", "une", or of the definite article "le", "la" or "I'", to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.

[0025] The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used in this document exclusively to differentiate between different elements, without implying any order between these elements.

[0026] All of the preferred embodiments as well as all of the advantages of the solenoid valve according to the invention are transposed mutatis mutandis to the present equipment and vice versa. The different embodiments can be considered alone or in combination.

[0027] Brief description of the figures

[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures which show:

[0029] - figure 1, a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the valve according to the invention;

[0030] - figure 2, a schematic view of another exemplary embodiment of the valve according to the invention;

[0031] - figures 3 and 4, schematic views of another exemplary embodiment of the valve according to the invention.

[0032] The drawings of the figures are not to scale. Like elements are generally denoted by like references in the figures. For the purposes of this document, identical or similar elements may bear the same references. Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings cannot be considered as limiting, including when these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0033] The invention relates to a solenoid valve comprising a body with a main fluid inlet, a main fluid outlet and a main passage which connects the main inlet to the main outlet. The solenoid valve also comprises a main valve with a shutter, the main valve being movable between a position for closing the main passage by the shutter and a position for opening the main passage, the main valve comprising an auxiliary fluid inlet in communication with the main inlet and an auxiliary fluid outlet in communication with the main outlet. The solenoid valve also comprises an intermediate chamber connecting the auxiliary inlet and the auxiliary outlet as well as a pilot valve movable between a state for closing the auxiliary inlet and a state for closing the auxiliary outlet and for driving the main valve towards the open position.Thanks to the pilot valve, the solenoid valve allows better management of the auxiliary inlet and the auxiliary outlet and therefore better control of the intermediate chamber. This allows the range of use of the solenoid valve to be extended, with a fluid in the liquid, gaseous or two-phase state, in particular propellant in the liquid, gaseous or two-phase state (preferably cryogenic propellant).

[0034] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate embodiments of the solenoid valve according to the invention. In the figures, the solenoid valve 10 comprises a body 12 with a main fluid inlet 14 and a main fluid outlet 16. A main passage 18 connects the main inlet 14 to the main outlet 16. The main passage 18 makes it possible to put the main inlet 14 and the main outlet 16 in fluid communication. The solenoid valve 10 also comprises a main valve 20 movable between a position for closing the main passage 18 and a position for opening the main passage 18. The movement of the main valve 20 towards the open position or towards the closed position makes it possible to control the distribution of a fluid to distribution circuits within equipment in which the solenoid valve is implemented.In the figures, high pressure areas are shown darker than intermediate pressure areas, which are themselves darker than low pressure areas.

[0035] The main valve 20 comprises an auxiliary fluid inlet 22 in communication with the main inlet 14 and an auxiliary fluid outlet 24 in communication with the main outlet 16. The solenoid valve 10 comprises an intermediate chamber 26 which connects the auxiliary inlet 22 and the auxiliary outlet 24. The communication of the auxiliary inlet 22 with the main inlet 14 allows the intermediate chamber 26 to be filled from the main inlet 14 and thus the pressure in the intermediate chamber 26 to be increased. The communication of the auxiliary outlet 24 with the main outlet 16 allows the intermediate chamber 26 to be emptied towards the main outlet 16 and thus the pressure in the intermediate chamber 26 to be reduced.

[0036] The solenoid valve also comprises a pilot valve 28 movable between a state of closing the auxiliary inlet 22 and a state of closing the auxiliary outlet 24. This allows better management of the opening or closing of each of the auxiliary inlet and the auxiliary outlet. Thus, the pilot valve allows better control of the pressure in the intermediate chamber. This makes it possible to extend the field of use of the solenoid valve, with a fluid in the liquid, gaseous or two-phase state, in particular propellant, in particular cryogenic propellant. Also, the pilot valve 28 can drive the main valve 20 towards the open position. Thus, the main passage can be opened by the combination of the action of the pilot valve and the management of the pressure in the intermediate chamber. Furthermore, the pilot valve 28 may be configured to drive the main valve 20 toward the position for closing the main passage 18.More generally, the solenoid valve is activated in one direction or the other by the combination of the action of the pilot valve and the management of the pressure in the intermediate chamber.

[0037] According to Figures 1 to 4, the pilot valve 28 is configured to drive the main valve 20 toward the open position by urging a surface 30 of the main valve and to drive the main valve 20 toward the closed position by urging another surface 32 of the main valve 20. The main valve 20 is then driven by urging the pilot valve 28 and by managing the pressure in the intermediate chamber 26. In Figures 3 and 4, only the surface 30 of the main valve 20 allowing the main valve 20 to be driven toward the open position is shown; the surface 32 could also be shown.

[0038] The pilot valve 28 may be in a bore 34 of the main valve 20. The shape of the pilot valve 28 maintains the sealing of the closure of the auxiliary inlet or the auxiliary outlet. The shape of the pilot valve 28 relative to the bore 34 maintains the sealing. The radial movement of the pilot valve 28 in the bore 34 maintains the sealing of the closure of the auxiliary inlet or the auxiliary outlet. The play of the radial movement is sufficient to allow the relative movement in all circumstances of the pilot valve but sufficiently small to significantly reduce the leakage section when the pilot valve is opposite the auxiliary inlet 22 (filling duct - leakage according to the arrow through the pilot valve 28 according to the middle position of figure 1 which is significantly reduced) or the auxiliary outlet 24 (draining duct, figures 3 and 4).This allows radial sealing at the auxiliary inlet 22 (filling duct) or the auxiliary outlet 24 (draining duct) which is independent of the relative movements of the parts. This makes it possible in particular to avoid vibrations in the solenoid valve, while ensuring the management of the auxiliary inlet and the auxiliary outlet and therefore the control of the intermediate chamber. This further improves the management of the flows in the auxiliary inlet 22 (filling channel or duct) and in the auxiliary outlet 24 (draining channel or duct). The advantage of the sealing obtained by the relative shape of the pilot valve 28 and the bore 34 and in particular the radial movement of the pilot valve 28 in the bore 34 is that this reduces the friction of the pilot valve in the bore 34 and therefore makes it possible to reduce the need for force when actuating the pilot piston 28 (by an actuator for example).

[0039] According to Figures 1 and 3-4, the pilot valve 28 comprises a conduit 29 allowing the intermediate chamber 26 to be put into communication with the downstream (or main outlet 16) via the auxiliary outlet 24. According to one embodiment, the main valve 20 comprises a shutter 38 of the main passage 18. The shutter 38 has a shape matching the periphery of the main passage 18 so as to ensure sealing between the main inlet 14 and the main outlet 16, in the closed position. The main valve 20 may further comprise an actuating rod 40 connecting a piston 42 to the shutter 38. The piston 42 is movable in an enclosure 44 of the body 12 of the solenoid valve. The piston 42 delimits the intermediate chamber 26 with one end of the enclosure 44. The piston can also delimit the main inlet 14 or the main outlet 16 with the main passage 18 - as described below.The actuating rod 40 may be hollow to connect the intermediate chamber 26 to the main inlet 14 or the main outlet 16 - as described later.

[0040] A sealing element 46 on the main valve 20, or more precisely on the piston 42, ensures the sealing of the intermediate chamber 26. The sealing element 46 makes it possible to prevent leaks from the intermediate cavity 26, and in particular at high pressure. The sealing element 46 allows the solenoid valve to operate correctly.

[0041] The sealing within the solenoid valve 10 can be achieved between the main valve 20 and the enclosure 44 by the sealing element 46 and be achieved between the pilot valve 28 and the main valve 20 by the shape of the pilot valve 28, in particular by a clearance (or adjustment) of the pilot valve 28 relative to the main valve 20, preferably a radial clearance (or adjustment). This ensures the sealing within the enclosure 44 while limiting the efforts required to actuate the pilot valve 28, in particular by an actuator of the pilot valve 28 (and therefore a reduction in the mass of the actuator of the pilot valve 28).

[0042] In a manner not shown, the solenoid valve 10 further comprises an electromagnetic actuator. The actuator comprises a solenoid and a ferromagnetic core actuated by the magnetic flux of the solenoid. The pilot valve 28 is actuated by the core via a rod 36 in the figures. Such an actuator has the advantage of being light and simple to control since it is sufficient to apply a voltage to activate it. In addition, such an actuator has the advantage of being quick to operate, which makes the activation of the pilot valve 28 also quick to operate. The fact of having a seal within the solenoid valve 10 obtained by the radial movement of the pilot valve 28 in the bore 34 allows relative movement between the main and auxiliary pistons while not modifying the behavior of the solenoid valve.This has the advantage of allowing a stop in the actuator, which maximizes the electromagnetic force developed by the actuator. In this way, the necessary electric current and therefore the mass and volume of the actuator are reduced - which is advantageous in the aeronautics and aerospace fields where mass limitation is a strong constraint since all the on-board mass must be propelled.

[0043] The fluid used in the solenoid valve is propellant in the single-phase liquid state, in the single-phase gaseous state or in the two-phase liquid and gaseous state. In particular, it is cryogenic propellant, changing phase under extreme temperature conditions. The solenoid valve is therefore a propellant-assisted valve with a solenoid actuator that uses the force available in the fluid pressure to actuate by managing the pressure in the intermediate chamber 26. The solenoid valve 10 is not dependent on its integration into the equipment because it integrates its own intermediate chamber (balance chamber). The performance of the solenoid valve is dependent on the operating conditions (pressure, temperature of the fluid and the environment, etc.), but within a very wide range of values.Unlike valves of the prior art, such as for oil or any viscous substance, the solenoid valve 10 is used with propellants (for example, oxygen, hydrogen, methane) - in particular cryogenic propellants - which can be in liquid, vapor (gaseous) phase or a combination of both over a temperature range of 77K to 320K or more and a pressure range of 0 to 230 bar or more. These operating ranges are very wide compared to the valves of the prior art. These value ranges also allow the solenoid valve to be capable of operating in equipment of the aerospace or aeronautical type, such as a space launcher or an aircraft turbomachine. The operating pressure and temperature ranges of the solenoid valve 10 cover different states of matter (liquid and / or gas).The management of opening and closing of the auxiliary inlet 22 and outlet 24 by the pilot valve 28 and the pressure in the intermediate chamber 26 allow the solenoid valve 10 to operate even though the operating pressure and temperature ranges involve significant changes in certain properties (density, compressibility, etc.). The use of propellant, in particular cryogenic propellant (for example oxygen, hydrogen or methane) has a state that can change depending on the temperature and pressure of the fluid. The solenoid valve 10 can therefore have liquid, gas or a mixture of the two phases within it, at the same time. The operation of the solenoid valve is based on the management of the pressure in the intermediate cavity 26 and that this pressure is by definition variable. The solenoid valve 10 can start the draining with a liquid fluid which then becomes gas as the pressure drops.The solenoid valve 10 may also have liquid at the inlet and gas in the intermediate cavity 26 or downstream. Furthermore, the sealing solutions of the solenoid valve 10 allow a good compromise between leak control (under the above operating conditions) and efficient operation, in particular the effort required to activate the pilot valve 28. This is not possible in valves of the prior art, such as for example valves for oil or any viscous substance, which are always used with a fluid (oil for example) in a single-phase (liquid) phase with relatively constant (in)compressibility and a relatively constant density. This is also not possible in valves of the prior art, in which the operating clearances allow leaks.

[0044] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a possible embodiment with the intermediate chamber 26 located upstream of the solenoid valve. In this embodiment, the intermediate chamber 26 is filled when the solenoid valve is closed and partially empties to allow opening. The piston 42 of the main valve 20 separates the intermediate chamber 26 from the main inlet 14 within the enclosure 44. The auxiliary inlet 22 is in the piston 42 and the auxiliary outlet 24 is in the actuating rod 40. In Figure 1, the solenoid valve 10 is provided with an axial discharge and a radial supply. Three positions are illustrated in Figure 1 to show the opening of the solenoid valve 10. According to the left position of Figure 1, the solenoid valve 10 is closed, the shutter 38 ensuring the seal between the main inlet 14 and the main outlet 16. The pilot valve 28 is in a state of closing the auxiliary outlet 24, stressing the surface 32.The auxiliary inlet 22 is open and places the intermediate chamber 26 in fluid communication with the main inlet 14. The pressure in the intermediate chamber 16 is the same as upstream of the valve (main inlet 14) and maintains the valve in the closed position (the obturator 38 on the seat of the main passage 18). The pilot valve 28 contributes to maintaining the valve in the closed position by urging the surface 32.

[0045] According to the middle position of Figure 1, the solenoid valve 10 is always closed, the shutter 38 ensuring the seal between the main inlet 14 and the main outlet 16. The pilot valve 28 is in a state of closing the auxiliary inlet 22, stressing the surface 30. The auxiliary outlet 24 is open and puts the intermediate chamber 26 in fluid communication with the main outlet 16. The intermediate chamber is emptying downstream (towards the main outlet 16) via the actuating rod 40. The pressure of the intermediate chamber 26 decreases until a pressure balance is established on the main valve 20.

[0046] According to the right position of Figure 1, this equilibrium is exceeded. The upstream pressure (main inlet 14) combined with the action of the pilot valve 28 on the surface 30 allows the solenoid valve 10 to be moved to the open position. The main valve 20 is driven towards the open position of the main passage 18 with the pilot valve 28 in the closed state of the auxiliary inlet 22 and by emptying the intermediate chamber 26 towards the main outlet 16.

[0047] Figure 2 illustrates another possible embodiment with the intermediate chamber 26 located upstream of the solenoid valve. In this embodiment, the intermediate chamber 26 is filled when the solenoid valve is closed and partially empties to allow opening. The piston 42 of the main valve 20 separates the intermediate chamber 26 from the main inlet 14 within the enclosure 44. The auxiliary inlet 22 is in the piston 42 and the auxiliary outlet 24 is in the actuating rod 40. Three positions are illustrated in Figure 2 to show the opening of the solenoid valve 10. According to the left position of Figure 2, the solenoid valve 10 is closed, the shutter 38 ensuring the seal between the main inlet 14 and the main outlet 16. The pilot valve 28 is in a state of closing the auxiliary outlet 24, stressing the surface 32.The auxiliary inlet 22 is open and places the intermediate chamber 26 in fluid communication with the main inlet 14. The pressure in the intermediate chamber 26 is the same as upstream of the valve (main inlet 14) and maintains the valve in the closed position (the obturator 38 on the seat of the main passage 18). The pilot valve 28 contributes to maintaining the valve in the closed position by urging the surface 32.

[0048] According to the middle position of Figure 2, the solenoid valve 10 is always closed, the shutter 38 ensuring the seal between the main inlet 14 and the main outlet 16. The pilot valve 28 is in a state of closing the auxiliary inlet 22, stressing the surface 30. The auxiliary outlet 24 is open and puts the intermediate chamber 26 in fluid communication with the main outlet 16. The intermediate chamber is emptying downstream (towards the main outlet 16) via the actuating rod 40. The pressure of the intermediate chamber 26 decreases until a pressure balance is established on the main valve 20.

[0049] According to the right position of Figure 2, this equilibrium is exceeded. The upstream pressure (main inlet 14) combined with the action of the pilot valve 28 on the surface 30 allows the solenoid valve 10 to be moved to the open position. The main valve 20 is driven towards the open position of the main passage 18 with the pilot valve 28 in the closed state of the auxiliary inlet 22 and by emptying the intermediate chamber 26 towards the main outlet 16.

[0050] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate yet another possible embodiment with the intermediate chamber 26 located downstream of the solenoid valve 10. The operation is reversed compared to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 3 shows the opening of the solenoid valve 10 and Figure 4 shows the closing of the solenoid valve 10. In this embodiment, the chamber 26 is at the downstream pressure (main outlet 16) when the solenoid valve 10 is closed and fills to allow opening. In other words, the intermediate chamber 26 empties when the solenoid valve is closed and fills completely or partially to allow opening. The piston 42 of the main valve 20 separates the intermediate chamber 26 from the main outlet 16 within the enclosure 44. The auxiliary outlet 24 is in the piston 42 and the auxiliary inlet 22 is in the actuating rod 40. Three positions are illustrated in Figure 3 to show the opening of the solenoid valve 10.

[0051] According to the left position of Figure 3, the solenoid valve 10 is closed, the shutter 38 ensuring the seal between the main inlet 14 and the main outlet 16. The pilot valve 28 is in a state of closing the auxiliary inlet 22. The auxiliary outlet 24 is open and puts the intermediate chamber 26 in fluid communication with the main outlet 16. The pressure in the intermediate chamber 16 is the same as downstream of the valve (main outlet 16) and the pressure upstream (main inlet 14) keeps the valve in the closed position (the shutter 38 on the seat of the main passage 18).

[0052] According to the middle position of Figure 3, the solenoid valve 10 is always closed, the shutter 38 ensuring the seal between the main inlet 14 and the main outlet 16. The pilot valve 28 is in a state of closing the auxiliary outlet 24, stressing the surface 30. The auxiliary inlet 22 is open and puts the intermediate chamber 26 in fluid communication with the main inlet 14 via the conduit 29. The intermediate chamber is filling from upstream (main inlet 14) via the actuating rod 40. The pressure of the intermediate chamber 26 increases.

[0053] According to the right position of Figure 3, the force exerted by the pressure on the upper surface of the piston 42 facing the intermediate chamber becomes greater than the force exerted by the pressure on the surface of the shutter 38 facing the upstream. The pressure in the chamber 26 combined with the action of the pilot valve 28 on the surface 30 allows the solenoid valve 10 to be moved to the open position. The shutter 38 is no longer on the seat of the main passage 18. The main valve 20 is driven towards the open position of the main passage 18 with the pilot valve 28 in the state of closing the auxiliary outlet 24 and by the pressure which continues to rise in the intermediate chamber 26.

[0054] Four positions are illustrated in Figure 4 to show the closing of the solenoid valve 10. The left position in Figure 4 corresponds to the open position in the right position in Figure 3.

[0055] According to the second position of Figure 4, the solenoid valve 10 is always open. The pilot valve 28 is in a state of closing the auxiliary inlet 22. The auxiliary outlet 24 is open and puts the intermediate chamber 26 in fluid communication with the downstream (the main outlet 16). The intermediate chamber 26 is emptying downstream (towards the main outlet 16) through the piston 42. The pressure of the intermediate chamber 26 decreases.

[0056] According to the third position of figure 4, a depressurization of the intermediate chamber 26 occurs through the main valve 20. The pressure of the intermediate chamber 26 has decreased until a pressure balance is established on the main valve 20.

[0057] According to the fourth position of Figure 4, this equilibrium is exceeded. The upstream pressure (main inlet 14) allows the solenoid valve 10 to be moved to the closed position. The main valve 20 is driven towards the closing position of the main passage 18 with the pilot valve 28 in the closing state of the auxiliary inlet 22 and by emptying the intermediate chamber 26 towards the main outlet 16.

[0058] In the example of Figures 3 and 4, only the opening surface 30 of the main valve 20 is shown; by stressing the surface 30, the pilot valve 28 contributes to actuating the main valve 20 in opening. In Figures 3 and 4, the surface 32 is not shown as an example; it is conceivable to provide the surface 32 in the bore 34 so that by stressing the surface 32, the pilot valve 28 contributes to actuating the main valve 20 in closing. Generally speaking in Figures 1-4, the pilot valve 28 has a “T” shape ensuring a mechanical stop with the main valve to be able to actuate the latter in the absence of pressure.

[0059] The movement of the pilot valve 28 and the main valve 20 are along a common axis, vertical in the figures. In the solenoid valve 10 of the embodiments, the travel of the pilot valve 28 is less than the travel of the main valve 20. More specifically, the axial travel of the pilot valve 28 is less than the axial travel of the main valve 20. The movement of the pilot valve 28 is of an amplitude less than the amplitude of the movement of the main valve 20. This allows the pilot valve 28 to actuate the main valve 20 without the solenoid valve 10 being in a hyperstatic situation. Thus, it is the actuator actuating the pilot valve 28 which reaches the stop, even though the main valve 20 does not reach the stop in the body 12.The actuator actuating the pilot valve 28 reaches the stop before the stud 42 reaches the body 12 of the valve, which makes it possible to optimize the actuator, particularly in terms of size and mass (which is advantageous in the aeronautical and aerospace industry). Thus, when the actuator is in the open position, the piston 4, actuating rod 40 and shutter 38 assembly forming the main valve 20 still has the possibility of moving vertically (due to the pressure variation in the cavity for example) between a high position (upper surface of the piston 42 in contact with the body 12), and a low position (pilot 28 in contact with the surface 30 of the piston 42. The main valve 20 and the pilot valve 28 may have a spherical or elliptical shape to facilitate self-centering relative to the element where the sealing must occur, the element being able to be provided with a facing seat which is conical.For example, the main passage 18 may be provided with a conical seat. In Figures 1 and 2, the auxiliary outlet 24 may be provided with a conical seat. The same applies to the auxiliary inlet 22 in Figures 2 to 4. The pilot valve 28 may include a ball to ensure at least one of the two seals (with the auxiliary inlet 22 and / or the auxiliary outlet 24). This type of seal consisting of a ball on a formed seat is efficient. In Figure 2, the pilot valve 28 is a ball and ensures sealing with both the auxiliary inlet 22 and the auxiliary outlet 24. In Figure 1, the pilot valve 28 includes a ball to ensure sealing with the auxiliary outlet 24. In Figures 3 and 4, the pilot valve 28 includes a ball to ensure sealing with the auxiliary inlet 22.

[0060] By taking advantage of the pressure available in the upstream fluid and by managing the pressure in the intermediate chamber 26, the solenoid valve 10 can be autoclaved when it is closed while not having to overcome the upstream pressure for opening. Thus, the solenoid valve 10 has a good seal and the mass as well as the cost are reduced for a given passage section. In addition, the control of such a solenoid valve is simple compared to valves of the prior art and in particular motorized valves. Furthermore, not only does the solenoid valve 10 take advantage of the pressure available in the upstream fluid, but it can also be activated without pressure by the direct action of the pilot valve 28 actuated by the solenoid actuator.

[0061] The solenoid valve 10 makes it possible to partition the auxiliary inlet 22 and the auxiliary outlet 24. The management of the auxiliary inlet 22 (filling channel or conduit) and the auxiliary outlet 24 (draining channel or conduit) makes it possible to manage the two flows independently and therefore to allow operation despite the presence of possibly different phases within the fluid. The pilot valve 28, auxiliary inlet 22 and auxiliary outlet 24 assembly is a three-way system making it possible to manage both the filling channel and the draining channel. In figures 1, 3, 4, the pilot valve 28, auxiliary inlet 22 and auxiliary outlet 24 assembly is radially sealed to be independent of the relative movements of the parts.

[0062] Furthermore, the solenoid valve 10 can operate with a fluid capable of changing phase and with limited dependence on the circuit in which the solenoid valve is integrated - unlike prior art valves which use the pressure available in the flow and which are limited to particular operating cases.

[0063] The invention also relates to equipment comprising the solenoid valve 10. This may be naval or aerospace equipment such as a space launcher or an aircraft turbomachine. The equipment may operate with propellant, preferably cryogenic propellant. The solenoid valve 10 may be an aeronautical or aerospace valve (launcher, rocket, rocket engine). It may be a cryogenic valve, in particular for aeronautical or aerospace purposes. Taking into account the management of two-phase aspects within the solenoid valve 10 allows it to be used in the aeronautical fields, in space launchers and cryogenics. The solenoid valve 10 may therefore also operate with propellant, in particular cryogenic propellant. It may therefore be cryogenic equipment. The solenoid valve 10 is particularly for aeronautical and aerospace equipment.The solenoid valve 10 is suitable for the aeronautical and aerospace fields because it operates independently of its own weight, therefore independently of its orientation (and therefore of the orientation of the equipment), independently of the absence of gravity - and independently of vibrations.

[0064] The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which are of purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. In general, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and / or described above.

Claims

Claims 1. Solenoid valve (10) comprising: - a body (12) with a main fluid inlet (14), a main fluid outlet (16) and a main passage (18) which connects the main inlet to the main outlet; - a main valve (20) with a shutter (38), the main valve (20) being movable between a position for closing the main passage (18) by the shutter (38) and a position for opening the main passage (18), the main valve comprising an auxiliary fluid inlet (22) in communication with the main inlet and an auxiliary fluid outlet (24) in communication with the main outlet, - an intermediate chamber (26) connecting the auxiliary inlet and the auxiliary outlet, - a pilot valve (28) movable between a state of closing the auxiliary inlet and a state of closing the auxiliary outlet and for driving the main valve towards the open position, the solenoid valve being capable of receiving the fluid which is cryogenic propellant in the single-phase liquid state, in the single-phase gaseous state or in the two-phase liquid and gaseous state.

2. Solenoid valve (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the pilot valve (28) is further configured to drive the main valve (20) towards the position for closing the main passage (18).

3. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pilot valve (28) is configured to drive the main valve (20). - towards the open position by urging a surface (30) of the main valve or - towards the closing position by urging another surface (32) of the main valve.

4. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the pilot valve (28) is in a bore (34) of the main valve (20), the radial movement of the pilot valve in the bore maintaining the sealing of the closure of the auxiliary inlet (22) or of the auxiliary outlet (24).

5. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the axial movement of the pilot valve (28) is less than the axial movement of the main valve (20).

6. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an enclosure (44), the main valve comprising a piston movable in the enclosure and separating the intermediate chamber from the main inlet within the enclosure.

7. Solenoid valve (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the auxiliary inlet is in the piston and the auxiliary outlet is in the actuating rod.

8. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the main valve is driven towards the opening position of the main passage with the pilot valve in the state of closing the auxiliary inlet and by emptying the intermediate chamber towards the main outlet.

9. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an enclosure (44), the main valve comprising a piston movable in the enclosure and separating the intermediate chamber from the main outlet within the enclosure.

10. Solenoid valve (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the auxiliary inlet is in the actuating rod and the auxiliary outlet is in the piston.

11. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the main valve is driven towards the opening position of the main passage with the pilot valve in the state of closing the auxiliary outlet and by filling the intermediate chamber from the main inlet.

12. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of claims 6 to 11, in which the main valve comprises an actuating rod (40) connecting the piston (42) to the shutter.

13. Solenoid valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an electromagnetic actuator with a solenoid and a ferromagnetic core actuated by the magnetic flux of the solenoid, the pilot valve being actuated by the core.

14. Equipment with a solenoid valve (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the equipment being aerospace or aeronautical equipment, such as a space launcher or an aircraft turbomachine.

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