Solenoid valve

A solenoid valve 30 having an inlet 37, an outlet 38 and a pintle 36 that is movable between a first, partially open position and a second fully open position which provides a larger gap for fluid to flow through. The pintle may adopt the first position when the solenoid is energised, and the second position when the solenoid is de-energised. The solenoid valve may have a housing and the pintle may have a magnetic core that has a first surface, and a shaft that extends through a bore in the housing whilst the housing has a second surface which surrounds an entrance to the bore and an inhibitor that restricts movement of the pintle towards the valve seat. The inhibitor can be formed by a circumferential groove in the wall of the bore and a resiliently biased ball or pin, or an arrangement of a stop and projection.

Solenoid valve