System and method for detecting position of a valve driven by a solenoid linear actuator

Abstract

A valve assembly includes a valve moveable between an open position where hydraulic fluid flow is permitted and a closed position where hydraulic fluid flow is blocked. A controller includes a magnetometer adapted to measure a magnetic flux through at least a portion of a solenoid linear actuator that moves the valve. A magnetic flux value measured by the magnetometer corresponds to a linear position of the regulating member relative to the port.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A valve assembly, comprising:
 a valve housing;   a regulating member mounted within a bore of the valve housing, the regulating member being moveable between a plurality of open positions where fluid flow is permitted through a port of the valve housing and a closed position where fluid flow is blocked through the port;   a solenoid linear actuator comprising a solenoid adapted to linearly drive the regulating member between the closed position and the plurality of open positions, the solenoid including a solenoid coil; and   an electronic control unit including a module housing that houses a printed circuit board, the electronic control unit being mechanically and electrically connected to the solenoid coil by an electrical connector that is received within a socket corresponding to the solenoid coil such that there is a fixed mechanical coupling of the module housing to the solenoid linear actuator.   
     
     
         29 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the electrical connector is a 2-pin electrical connector. 
     
     
         30 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the electrical connector is adapted to direct electrical current to the solenoid coil to control operation of the regulating member. 
     
     
         31 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic control unit includes an inductance sensor positioned in the module housing, the inductance sensor being adapted to measure inductance in the solenoid coil. 
     
     
         32 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic control unit includes a magnetometer positioned in the module housing, the magnetometer being adapted to measure a magnetic flux vector relative to each of three mutually perpendicular axes in space. 
     
     
         33 . The valve assembly of  claim 28  wherein the electronic control unit includes an electrical current meter positioned in the module housing, the electrical current meter being adapted to measure electrical current in the coil. 
     
     
         34 . The valve assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the electronic control unit includes a magnetometer positioned in the module housing, the magnetometer being adapted to measure a magnetic flux vector relative to each of three mutually perpendicular axes in space. 
     
     
         35 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the electronic control unit is not positioned in a flow passage of the valve assembly. 
     
     
         36 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the regulating member includes a spool. 
     
     
         37 . The valve assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the spool includes a plurality of lands. 
     
     
         38 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the regulating member includes a poppet. 
     
     
         39 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , further comprising a control interface operatively coupled to the electronic control unit. 
     
     
         40 . The valve assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the control interface includes a joystick. 
     
     
         41 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the regulating member is moveable between the plurality of open positions in which fluid flow of a liquid is permitted through the port of the valve housing, and the closed position in which fluid flow of the liquid is blocked through the port. 
     
     
         42 . The valve assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the regulating member is moveable between the plurality of open positions in which fluid flow of a gas is permitted through the port of the valve housing, and the closed position in which fluid flow of the gas is blocked through the port.