Electric Patents (Class 137/625.64)
  • Patent number: 6427720
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a simply constructed pilot operated directional control valve having a position detecting function, capable of detecting, utilizing a light sensor, operating positions of a valve member such as a spool. To achieve this, an object to be detected 21 is formed on the end face adjacent to a breathing chamber 9, of a piston 2a; there is formed a recess 22 in which the object to be detected 21 is fit and which is disposed in the wall surface of the breathing chamber 9, in a casing 4; and an optical sensor 25 is mounted on a position facing the recess 22 in the casing 4 for projecting and receiving light relative to the object to be detected 21 through a through hole 23, whereby operating positions of the piston 12a, or the spool 6 are detected based on the light reflected from the object to be detected 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bunya Hayashi, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20020100512
    Abstract: To provide a compact spacer type pressure reducing valve capable of adjusting pressure in two output ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Tajima, Hiroyuki Katsuta
  • Publication number: 20020100511
    Abstract: The servovalve comprises an electric motor and a distributor valve integrating a hydraulic slide under the control of said electric motor and further comprising two load channels pierced in a central rod on which blocks are mounted for co-operating with communication orifices of the distributor valve and co-operating with one another and with the ends of the hydraulic slide to define annular chambers including two load chambers connected to the receiver member to be controlled. The two load channels put each of the load chambers into communication respectively with an immediately adjacent annular chamber so as to ensure that the same pressure exists on both sides of the blocks separating said two chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Brocard, Michel Le Texier
  • Publication number: 20020092573
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention generally concerns electronically controlled hydraulic valves adapted for use in electro-hydraulically controlled automotive transmissions. The proportional pressure control valve 20 includes a hollow cage 42 pierced by cage tank ports 52, cage clutch ports 54, and by cage pump ports 56. The cage pump ports 56 receive fluid from a pump. The cage clutch ports 54 supply fluid to a hydraulic actuator, such as that for an automotive clutch. The cage clutch ports 54 supply the fluid at a pressure that is proportional to an electrical control signal applied to a solenoid coil 252 of the valve 20. The cage tank ports 52 return fluid from the valve 20 to a tank from which the fluid circulates back to the pump. Located in the cage 42 is a main spool 112 that is movable laterally relative to the cage 42 for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid between the cage clutch ports 54 and either the cage pump ports 56 or the cage tank ports 52.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Louis C. Harms, Zilek Liberfarb
  • Patent number: 6408883
    Abstract: Since an output port is formed at a front end portion of a sleeve, an electromagnetic valve is arranged in series with a control valve. Thus, a system becomes small, and it becomes easy to attain a mounting space. Further, since a feedback chamber is formed in the vicinity of the linear solenoid, it is possible to install a spool after the sleeve is attached to the linear solenoid. Thus, unidirectional assembling becomes possible, and the number of assembling steps is decreased. Furthermore, since a small-diameter land is provided in the spool at a side of the linear solenoid, a small-diameter inner wall for slidably guiding the small-diameter land is concentrated to one place at the side of the linear solenoid. Thus, forming a small-diameter hole in the sleeve becomes easy, and forming accuracy is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Motoki, Motoyoshi Ando
  • Patent number: 6405746
    Abstract: This invention generally concerns electronically controlled hydraulic valves for use in electro-hydraulically controlled transmissions. The proportional pressure control valve 20 includes a hollow cage 42 pierced by cage tank ports 52, cage clutch ports 54, and cage pump ports 56. The cage pump ports 56 receive fluid from a pump. The cage clutch ports 54 supply fluid to a hydraulic actuator. The cage tank ports 52 return fluid from the valve 20 to a tank from where fluid circulates back to the pump. Main spool 112 controls fluid flow between cage clutch ports 54 and cage pump ports 56 or cage tank ports 52. An electro-magnetically operated pilot valve regulates fluid pressure applied to a control pressure surface 138. A feedback pressure passage 126, having a feedback restriction orifice 128, restrains the rate fluid flows between the cage clutch ports 54 and the feedback pressure surface 114.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Louis C. Harms, Zilek Liberfarb
  • Patent number: 6382248
    Abstract: An improved and self-diagnosing shift pressure regulator apparatus for an automatic shift transmission provides a diagnostic output that reliably and timely detects initiation and cessation of fluid supply to a friction element. The regulator apparatus includes a pressure regulator valve responsive to an electronically developed pilot pressure, and a diagnostic switch. The pilot pressure positions the pressure regulator valve in one of three states—ON, TRIM, and OFF—and the diagnostic switch is continuously activated by a control pressure whenever the pressure regulator valve is in the TRIM or ON states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Francis Long, Michael Leo Duhaime, Martin Robert Dadel
  • Patent number: 6378557
    Abstract: In a pressure regulation valve having a main spool and a sub-spool slidably housed in the main spool, the main spool is at a position where pilot pressure force balances with a sum of pressure force of a feedback chamber and spring biasing force, when the pilot pressure is below a given value, so that normal output pressure proportional to pilot pressure is supplied to a hydraulic servo for driving a clutch of an automatic transmission, and, when the pilot pressure exceeds the given value, the sub-spool moves to a position where the feedback chamber communicates with a drain so that the main spool moves to a position where maximum output pressure equal to supply pressure source is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Maki Kawamura, Haruhiko Uno, Hiroyuki Nakane, Motoyoshi Ando
  • Patent number: 6354270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hydraulic systems including hydraulically actuated fuel injectors that have a pilot operated spool valve assembly. One class of hydraulically actuated fuel injectors includes a solenoid driven pilot valve that controls the initiation of the injection event. However, during cold start conditions, hydraulic fluid, typically engine lubricating oil, is particularly viscous and is often difficult to displace through the relatively small drain path that is defined past the pilot valve member. Because the spool valve typically responds slower than expected during cold start due to the difficulty in displacing the relatively viscous oil, accurate start of injection timing can be difficult to achieve. There also exists a greater difficulty in reaching the higher end of the cold operating speed range. Therefore, the present invention utilizes a fluid evacuation valve to aid in displacement of the relatively viscous oil during cold start conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Scott F. Shafer
  • Patent number: 6343621
    Abstract: A solenoid control valve (10) that includes an electromagnetic coil (30) positioned within a housing (16) and a spool valve (72) positioned within a central bore (70) of a valve body (20). An armature (40), including a pin element (44) and a check ball (45), is axially positioned within the coil (30) and an armature spring (52) biases the check ball (45) against an opening in the central bore (70) when the coil (30) is not energized. The spool valve (72) includes an internal chamber and a pair of sealing lands (98,100) that selectively seal a supply port (92) and a control port (94) within the valve body (20). A pole piece (26), including an annular flux shunt portion (62), is threadably engaged with the housing (16) to control a working air gap (60) between the pole piece (26) and the armature (40). The flux shunt portion (62) more radially directs the electromagnetic field lines to weaken the magnetic force as the armature (40) moves closer to the pole piece (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett Robert Holmes, Howard William Saxon
  • Patent number: 6332855
    Abstract: A sealless accumulator 14, which intervenes between a solenoid valve 4 and a spool valve 5 for absorbing vibrations of a hydraulic oil concerned, is disposed in an upper half of a valve body above an oil path 18 formed in the upper half of the valve body 16. Air discharge path 24 is provided on an opposite side of an accumulator 14 from its oil chamber in which the oil pressure is applied to the piston 22 such that when the oil pressure is applied to the oil path 18, the piston 22 is moved, the hydraulic oil is discharged through the air discharge path 24 to the outside, possible air present up within the oil path 18 flows into the accumulator 14, and then is discharged through the air discharge path 24 to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Jatco Transtechnology Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Murasugi
  • Publication number: 20010052368
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention generally concerns electronically controlled hydraulic valves adapted for use in electro-hydraulically controlled automotive transmissions. The proportional pressure control valve 20 includes a hollow cage 42 pierced by cage tank ports 52, cage clutch ports 54, and by cage pump ports 56. The cage pump ports 56 receive fluid from a pump. The cage clutch ports 54 supply fluid to a hydraulic actuator, such as that for an automotive clutch. The cage clutch ports 54 supply the fluid at a pressure that is proportional to an electrical control signal applied to a solenoid coil 252 of the valve 20. The cage tank ports 52 return fluid from the valve 20 to a tank from which the fluid circulates back to the pump. Located in the cage 42 is a main spool 112 that is movable laterally relative to the cage 42 for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid between the cage clutch ports 54 and either the cage pump ports 56 or the cage tank ports 52.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Louis C. Harms, Zilek Liberfarb
  • Patent number: 6325102
    Abstract: A pilot-type solenoid valve capable of driving a valve member by increasing a pilot fluid pressure from a pilot valve and reliably switching valve member. The pilot-type solenoid valve includes a main valve portion having a valve member capable of sliding in a valve hole to which ports P, A, B, EA and EB in a valve body are opened, a pilot driving mechanism for applying a pilot fluid pressure to a pushing member which pushes one end of the valve member, and a returning mechanism for applying a returning force to the valve member. The pushing member includes a first piston for applying the pilot fluid pressure, and a second piston which is pushed by the first piston and which pushes the valve member. A shaft of the first piston passes through a partition wall in a sealing manner and abuts against the second piston. The shaft is provided therein with a guide hole for guiding the pilot fluid pressure to a pressure chamber of the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Misumi, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20010032677
    Abstract: A valve having a control means for the control of a fluid flow, such control means being able to be caused to move in two opposite switching directions. In order to render possible delay-free switching over after long periods of inactivity, a drive means is provided, which has spring means, which are tensioned when the control means is moved into a terminal switching position. The energy then stored is available for increasing the force during the next switching movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Grzegorz Bogdanowicz
  • Patent number: 6286535
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention generally concerns electronically controlled hydraulic valves adapted for use in electro-hydraulically controlled automotive transmissions. The proportional pressure control valve 20 includes a hollow cage 42 pierced by cage tank ports 52, cage clutch ports 54, and by cage pump ports 56. The cage pump ports 56 receive fluid from a pump. The cage clutch ports 54 supply fluid to a hydraulic actuator, such as that for an automotive clutch. The cage clutch ports 54. supply the fluid at a pressure that is proportional to an electrical control signal applied to a solenoid coil 252 of the valve 20. The cage tank ports 52 return fluid from the valve 20 to a tank from which the fluid circulates back to the pump. Located in the cage 42 is a main spool 112 that is movable laterally relative to the cage 42 for controlling a flow of hydraulic fluid between the cage clutch ports 54 and either the cage pump ports 56 or the cage tank ports 52.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Louis C. Harms, Zilek Liberfarb
  • Patent number: 6283149
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a directional control valve excellent in the detecting accuracy and the operational stability and having a position detecting function, wherein the magnet is prevented from directly contacting hydraulic fluid so as not to be affected by the hydraulic fluid. To achieve this, a magnet 21 is installed on an end portion of the valve member 6 received in the valve hole 5 so as to be situated at a position which is adjacent to a breathing chamber 9 and which is more exterior than an end sealing member 8 which shuts off the breathing chambers from the hydraulic fluid passages, and also a magnetic sensor 22 is installed at a position opposite to the magnet 21, in a casing 4, whereby the magnetic sensor 22 detects the magnetic flux density when the magnet 21 moves together with a spool 6, and detects all operating positions of the spool 6 during a stroke, from the change in the magnetic flux density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bunya Hayashi, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6276396
    Abstract: A directional control valve comprises a spool which is movable in a chamber and which carries shear seals urged against a respective wall of the chamber, the spool being movable between a first position in which a fluid supply inlet is in communication with a functional outlet and a second position in which the fluid supply inlet is cut off from the functional outlet, and a safety piston which is spring-loaded towards engagement with the spool in a sense to move the spool to the second position. An intermediate piston is interposed between the spool and the safety piston so that the intermediate piston can allow relative movement between itself and the spool. The chamber includes a port coupled to a pressure transducer which can monitor the position of the valve spool or the function line pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Mandeville Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Douglas F Kirkman
  • Patent number: 6267140
    Abstract: A directional control valve capable of detecting the operating positions over the whole stroke of the valve member. The control valve includes a detection head having a magnetic scale including a magnetic portion and a non-magnetic portion installed on an end of a spool, and a magnetic sensor for reading the magnetic scale installed at a predetermined position opposite to the magnetic scale in a casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bunya Hayashi, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6263915
    Abstract: A directional control valve having a position detecting function, is capable of detecting the operating positions of the valve member over the whole stroke thereof, without using a magnet and a magnetic sensor. A position detection mechanism 20 for detecting operating positions of a spool includes a detection coil disposed on a casing and generating an alternating magnetic field; a detection head mounted on a piston and changing the impedance of the detection coil by approaching or moving away from the detection coil in the alternating magnetic field; and a signal processing circuit applying an alternating voltage to the detection coil and detecting operating positions of the spool from the change in impedance of the detection coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bunya Hayashi, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6237857
    Abstract: An actuation fluid control valve assembly for a hydraulically actuated fuel injector comprises a valve body defining a rotary valve bore and a spool valve bore. An actuator is connected with the valve body. A rotary valve member is rotatably disposed in the rotary valve bore and can be rotated in response to the actuator. A high-pressure fluid line, a spool bottom line, a check control line, and an actuator fluid drain all terminate in the rotary valve bore. At one rotary valve position, both the check control line and the spool bottom line are open to the high-pressure line. Moving the rotary valve from the first position to a second position opens the spool bottom line to the actuator fluid drain while keeping the check control line open to the high-pressure line. Moving the rotary valve from the second position to a third position opens the check control line as well as the spool bottom line to the actuator fluid drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ausman, Manas R. Satapathy, Scott R. Schuricht
  • Publication number: 20010001394
    Abstract: The pressure of hydraulic fluid which is supplied to the continuously variable transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is regulated by an apparatus wherein an adjustable pilot valve can receive fluid from a pilot conduit leading to a pressure reducing valve. The pilot conduit normally receives fluid from a further conduit, wherein the pressure of fluid is at least substantially constant, by way of a flow restrictor. A branch conduit serves to evacuate fluid from the pilot conduit into the pilot valve when the latter is at least partially open. The fluid-discharging end of the flow restrictor confronts the inlet of the branch conduit, and such inlet is narrowed to reduce the likelihood of turbulence developing in the fluid stream flowing from the pilot conduit, across the further conduit and into the inlet of the pilot valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: LUK GETRIEBE-SYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Benjamin Kemmner, Thomas Frietsch, Rainer Eidloth
  • Patent number: 6220566
    Abstract: An incrementally positionable ball valve for use in the fluid circuit of a refrigeration or air conditioning system which can be remotely controlled by a low amperage control signal is disclosed. The ball valve harnesses the pressurized refrigerant from the fluid circuit in which it is installed as the primary power medium to actuate the valve. A sensor provides feedback to a controller relating to the incremental position of the valve. The controller then controls the operation of the valve in accordance with predetermined criteria. In another embodiment, the ball valve incorporates locator detents so that its incremental position can be determined by an operator manually controlling the valve. In still another aspect of the invention, a restrictor is provided for varying the flow capacity of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Alan Miller
  • Patent number: 6220284
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a pilot operated directional control valve having a position detecting function, capable of detecting operating positions of a valve member via the piston for driving the valve member. To achieve this, a magnet 21 for position detecting is installed on the portion which is situated on a piston 12a abutted against one end of a spool 6, and which is adjacent to a breathing chamber 9 shut off from a pilot pressure chamber 13a, and a magnetic sensor 21 for detecting the magnetism from the magnet 21 is mounted on the portion opposite to the magnet 21, in the casing 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bunya Hayashi, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6199585
    Abstract: A directional control valve has an axially displaceable control piston inside a valve housing and a travel sensor arranged on the valve housing to detect the position of the control piston. The sensor includes a travel sensor tube which is pressure tight and sealed on one end and has a directional transmitter rod extending into the other end. The directional transmitter rod is secured to the control piston and extends through the area connecting the inside of the valve housing to the travel sensor tube. A seal exposes a dampening gap placed in the connecting area forming a throttle point enabling oil to flow into the travel sensor tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Werner Reith, Binh Nguyen Xuan
  • Patent number: 6192937
    Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder passage. A main valve bore extends axially within the valve body and a main valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the main valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port through at least one cylinder passage. A pilot valve bore is formed integrally within the valve body and extends parallel to, and spaced a short distance from, the main valve bore. A pair of short pilot cylinder ports spaced apart from one another extend between the main valve bore and the pilot valve bore. A pilot valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the pilot valve bore to selectively direct air from the pilot valve bore through alternating ones of the pilot cylinder ports to act upon the main valve member thereby moving the main valve member between predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Fagerlie, James A. Neff
  • Patent number: 6186161
    Abstract: For the purpose of obtaining a manifold for a change-over valve capable of corresponding with given situations easily and reliably even when some of piping directions of the change-over valves are different or piping directions are altered during an operation, port surfaces 21, 22 are respectively formed on a front end surface and a bottom surface of a manifold 1, output openings 23a, 23b commonly in communication with output passages 14a, 14b are respectively formed on the port surfaces 21, 22, and a port block 26 having output ports A, B in communication with the output openings 23a, 23b and a closing plate 27 for closing the output openings 23a, 23b are allowed to be selectively mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 6179107
    Abstract: A trim valve controls the pressure rise and pressure gain in a torque transmitter. The trim valve controls the distribution of a system pressure to the torque transmitter in a controlled manner such that the apply pressure of the torque transmitter has a desired gain rate. A spool valve controls the admission of system pressure through a sleeve valve for distribution to the torque transmitter in response to a control pressure. The trim valve has bias spring elements that control a sleeve member of the trim valve in response to the apply pressure at the torque transmitter. The rate at which the apply pressure rises in relation to the control pressure is established by the bias spring elements which can be a single variable rate member or a plurality of parallel members. If parallel members are used, they are positioned to be sequentially engaged by the sleeve valve during linear movement in response to a change in the apply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur Hall, III
  • Patent number: 6170525
    Abstract: A method for optical signaling for electrical switch control, and in addition, optical powering of the electrohydraulic servovalve by means of opto-electric conversion using solar cells with a battery backup and dual redundancy for reliability. Optical power sources are e.g., laser diode, LED, or high intensity lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Imre J. Takats, Kausar Talat
  • Patent number: 6167901
    Abstract: A transfer valve comprising three ports including a first, second, and third ports 17, 18, and 19 includes a pilot supply channel 22 for supplying a pilot fluid to a pilot valve 13, and the pilot supply channel 22 is connected to the first and the third ports 17 and 19 via check valves 41, 42, and 43, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Yoshinura
  • Patent number: 6167909
    Abstract: A slide valve containing a ceramic apertured slide block slidably supported upon a pair of ceramic shear seals so that the slide can reciprocate between an operative and an inoperative position. A roof block also formed of a ceramic material is mounted over the slide block and a roller unit is positioned between opposing surfaces of the two blocks. Control pistons are mounted in cylinders on either side of the slide block. Control circuits are arranged to bring pilot fluid in a selected one of the cylinders to extend the piston housed therein against the slide thus changing the slide position. The control circuits are isolated from other circuits within the valve to prevent contaminants from adversely effecting poppet valves operatively associated with the control circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Tactair Fluid Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Davis