Reciprocating valves in a fluid system of an automatic transmission

• US 5,031,656 A
• Filed: 05/31/1990
• Issued: 07/16/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Blomquist, Alfred P., Redinger, Charles J., Benford, Howard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US07/532,149
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 137/238, 137/240, 137/625.69, 137/625.48, 134/166 C, 134/167 C, 134/168 C, 134/169 C, 222/148
• US Class Current: 137/238
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0276 Elements specially adapted for hydraulic control units, e.g. valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4245 Cleaning or steam sterilizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8671 With annular passage [e.g., spool]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86879 Reciprocating valve unit

Abstract

Reciprocating valves in a fluid system of a four-speed automatic transmission having grooves that collect and shed dirt and other contaminants which may inhibit the operation of the valves.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for directing fluid flow between a plurality of ports in a housing member, said assembly comprising:

a housing member;

a valve member disposed in said housing member for reciprocal movement therein;

said valve member having at least one annular cylindrical land disposed thereabout, said cylindrical land having a planar axially extending outer surface;

said valve member having at least one annular groove formed in said outer surface of said cylindrical land; and

said housing member including means forming at least a pair of adjacent ports in said housing member, one of said ports having fluid flow containing no foreign matter at a higher pressure than the fluid flow containing a substantial amount of foreign matter in the other of said ports, whereby a first reciprocal movement of the valve member causes foreign matter to be pushed into the groove by the housing member and by the higher fluid flow pressure in at least one of said ports, a second reciprocal movement of the valve member causes the higher fluid flow pressure to flush the foreign matter from the groove to reduce inhabitation of movement of the valve member, as well as to prevent foreign matter from entering between said cylindrical land and said housing member.