Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a separate pressure sensing port communicating with the valve outlet port. A circuit board with a pressure transducer mounted over a sensing orifice in the board is attached to the valve body with the sensing orifice communicating with the sensing port in the valve body. The transducer thus provides a feedback signal indicative of the valve outlet pressure.

Abstract: A closed loop adaptive fluid control system and method for use in hydraulic applications monitors one or more fluid characteristics, such as pressure, flow rate, accumulation time in an actuator, fill volume, etc., and compares the characteristic with a target response. A fluid characteristic sensor detects at least one fluid characteristic at a hydraulically-actuated device that is actuated by a electrically-operated. The sensor sends a device signal corresponding to the actual sensed characteristic to an electronic controller, which compares the device signal with a target response. The controller then identifies any differences between the device signal and the target response and provides a feedback signal to the electrically-operated valve to adjust the current to the valve, which in turn adjusts the electrically-operated valve so that the device signal corresponding to the sensed characteristic at the device converges toward the target response.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a pressure transducer sensing valve outlet pressure integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding. Upon connection of the transducer and solenoid to an electronic controller, the controller generates a valve energization signal in response to a desired valve pressure output and the transducer input for providing closed loop control of the valve outlet pressure. An ASIC may also be integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding for providing integrated signal conditioning; and, the optional ASIC, if employed, may also include the circuitry for the electronic controller for providing a “smart” pressure control valve.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a pressure transducer sensing valve outlet pressure integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding. Upon connection of the transducer and solenoid to an electronic controller, the controller generates a valve energization signal in response to a desired valve pressure output and the transducer input for providing closed loop control of the valve outlet pressure. An ASIC may also be integrally formed in the valve body, such as by overmolding for providing integrated signal conditioning; and, the optional ASIC, if employed, may also include the circuitry for the electronic controller for providing a “smart” pressure control valve.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic manifold assembly with a plurality of solenoid operated valves disposed on a manifold block and each operable to control pressure from the inlet to a separate outlet. Sensing ports are provided in each outlet with a pressure sensor sealed over the sensing port for providing a signal indicative of the sensed pressure. The pressure sensors are mounted on a lead frame and connected to conductive strips in the lead frame. The lead frame has slots therein which permit the frame to be simultaneously electrically connected by bayonet connection to the terminals on each solenoid valve as the transducers are sealed over the sensing ports and the lead frame attached to the manifold block.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic shift clutch actuators in an automatic speed change power transmission of the type having an electronic controller (TCU) for energizing a solenoid operated valve to control each hydraulic clutch actuator. A pressure sensor is disposed to sense the hydraulic pressure (Ps) to each clutch actuator and provides an electrical signal to the TCU which also receives a clutch pressure command signal (Pc) from the vehicle powertrain computer. The TCU computes the differential &Dgr;P=Pc−Ps and determines the valve energization current IE from known relationships between &Dgr;P and the percentage of maximum valve current and repeats the process in real time to adjust IE until &Dgr;P is negligible.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic manifold assembly with a plurality of solenoid operated valves disposed on a manifold block and each operable to control pressure from the inlet to a separate outlet. Sensing ports are provided in each outlet with a pressure sensor sealed over the sensing port for providing a signal indicative of the sensed pressure. The pressure sensors are mounted on a lead frame and connected to conductive strips in the lead frame. The lead frame has slots therein which permit the frame to be simultaneously electrically connected by bayonet connection to the terminals on each solenoid valve as the transducers are sealed over the sensing ports and the lead frame attached to the manifold block.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic manifold assembly including integral pressure transducers for providing real time indication of the control pressure signal output of each electrically operated valve on the manifold. The transducer dies are adhesively attached to circuit boards and the leads ultrasonically attached to pads on the ends of conductive strips on the circuit boards. Upstanding electrical connectors are attached to the circuit boards and connected to the dies which are potted over with silicone potting compound and the circuit board attached to the manifold. An electrical lead frame commonly engages the solenoid terminals and the pressure transducer terminals in bayonet style connection through slots in the lead frame.

Abstract: A method of controlling hydraulic shift clutch actuators in an automatic speed change power transmission of the type having an electronic controller (TCU) for energizing a solenoid operated valve to control each hydraulic clutch actuator. A pressure sensor is disposed to sense the hydraulic pressure (Ps) to each clutch actuator and provides an electrical signal to the TCU which also receives a clutch pressure command signal (Pc) from the vehicle powertrain computer. The TCU computes the differential &Dgr;P=Pc−Ps and determines the valve energization current IE from known relationships between &Dgr;P and the percentage of maximum valve current and repeats the process in real time to adjust IE until &Dgr;P is negligible.

Abstract: A cartridge type pressure switch is formed with a cup-shaped contact flanged outwardly at its rim and slidably nested in an annular spacer. A flexible diaphragm has an integrally formed annular bead ring which is stretched over the spacer to secure the diaphragm in place over the cup-shaped contact. A spring nested in the cup-shaped contact has the outer end registered against a deck or spring retainer. A pair of stationary contacts on opposite sides of the spacer have terminal portions extending outwardly through the deck. The spring biases the cup-shaped contact in a direction to seat the flange against the stationary contacts. When the cartridge is inserted in a bore, the bead ring is compressed to seal the cartridge in the bore.

Abstract: The level of such granular materials as fly ash and grain in a hopper presenting a differential internal hopper pressure above and below the level of materials in the hopper is sensed by sampling the pressure through a single flowless pressure conveying passageway extending by means of a port into the hopper interior. The pressure significantly changes above and below the level of materials. Thus, typically with a vacuum of about eight inches of water above the material level, the vacuum pressure is less than one-half an inch of water when the granular materials cover the port. Thus, a differential pressure gage connected between the atmosphere and the flowless pressure conveying passageway will indicate a significant difference in pressure when the level of materials covers the port. With a pressure gage operating relay contact an electric monitoring and control system may be used to automatically discharge the materials over long periods of time without maintenance.

Abstract: This invention provides an automatic sensing and correction feature for each fabric type filter element in a filtering system with a multiplicity of separate filter elements, that operates when the filter develops a leak to take only an individual filter element out of service.This is accomplished inexpensively by a simple flap closure valve array that senses increased fluid flow above a set threshold level and chokes off that flow through the individual defective filter cell.