Abstract: Fluid valves suitable for manufacture as a miniature poppet valve assembly. The valves include an upper pole piece, a lower pole piece and an armature, all formed of magnetic material. The upper and lower pole pieces are permanently joined such as by a press fit to entrap an electromagnetic actuator coil and form the magnetic circuit for a moveable armature assembled therein. A valve seat member is molded to, presses, snaps or barbs onto the lower pole piece entrapping the armature and armature return spring to complete the assembly. Use of intended permanent assemblies and use of the parts of the magnetic circuit as the valve outer housing or case allows realization of valves in relatively smaller sizes and capable of relatively higher speeds and frequencies of operation than could be practically provided using valves of other designs or using other assembly techniques.

Abstract: A parking brake switch for a vehicle including a switch having a contacting surface, the switch being positioned between an actuated state and a deactuated state, a first contact connected to a brake valve associated with an electro-hydraulic braking system, a second contact connected to a pair of electronic control modules, and a third contact connected to the pair of electronic control modules and a coil, the contacting surface being adapted to engage all of the contacts when the switch is in the actuated state.

Abstract: A parking brake switch for a vehicle including a switch having a contacting surface, the switch being positioned between an actuated state and a deactuated state, a first contact connected to a brake valve associated with an electro-hydraulic braking system, a second contact connected to a pair of electronic control modules, and a third contact connected to the pair of electronic control modules and a coil, the contacting surface being adapted to engage all of the contacts when the switch is in the actuated state.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an axle assembly includes a housing defining a chamber having a first fluid contained therein. The apparatus also includes a conduit located within the chamber. The apparatus further includes a fluid source in fluid communication with the conduit, wherein (1) a second fluid located within the fluid source is advanced through the conduit, and (2) the first fluid located within the housing does not intermix with the second fluid being advanced through the conduit. A method of cooling a differential assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A traction control system for a machine having two driven wheels is disclosed. Braking mechanisms controllably apply braking forces to each of the driven wheels. Transducers produce an actual speed signal having a value proportional to the rotational velocity of each driven wheel. A microprocessor produces a desired speed signal having a value representative of a desired rotational velocity of each driven wheel, and an error signal representative of the difference between the values of the desired and actual speed signals. The microprocessor additionally multiplies the error signal by a gain value and produces a braking command signal to the braking mechanism to apply braking forces to a slipping wheel. The present invention provides the advantage of modifying the gain value based on machine operating conditions in order to achieve good performance.