Solenoid valve plunger

A solenoid valve (15) has a valve body (17) with inlet and outlet ports (23, 24) and an internal main orifice (27) fluidly interconnecting the inlet and outlet ports (23, 24). A solenoid coil assembly (16) is mounted to the valve body (17). A plunger assembly (140) is axially slideable within the solenoid coil (16) and seals against the orifice (27) to prevent fluid flow therethrough when the solenoid valve (15) is in one operating condition and be spaced from the orifice (27) to allow fluid flow therethrough when the solenoid valve (15) is in another operating condition. The plunger assembly (140) includes an elongate plunger body (160) primarily made by metal forming (not cutting), with the plunger body (160) having a central through-bore (164). In one embodiment, the central through-bore (164) includes a recess (166) facing the orifice (27) and a resilient valve seal (170) is received within the recess (160). An internal return spring (188) biases the valve seal (170) forwardly within the recess (166). A retaining ring (174) retains the valve seal (170) within the recess (166) at a precise axial location. In another embodiment, the valve seal (170) is received within a recess (196) in a seal retainer (190), which itself is press-fitted within the through-bore (164) in the plunger body (160). A retainer ring (198) also retains the valve seal (170) within the recess (196) in the second embodiment. In either embodiment, the valve seal (170) is allowed to float within the respective recess to absorb limited off-axis movement of the valve seal (170) against the orifice (27).