| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20100018482 | VALVETRAIN OIL CONTROL SYSTEM AND OIL CONTROL VALVE - A hydraulic control system includes an oil control valve to control oil flow within a valvetrain. The control valve varies the flow rate to actuate an engine component from a first position to a second position based upon fluid pressure from the control valve. Varying the flow rate through the control valve includes increasing the flow rate through the control valve to increase the pressure to a first level to actuate the engine component to the first position. After the engine component is actuated, the flow rate through the control valve is maintained at a level sufficient to maintain the engine component in the first position. To actuate the engine component to the second position the flow rate through the control valve is then decreased. The fluid flow rate through the control valve is then maintained at a level sufficient to maintain the engine component in the second position. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20110018723 | FLUID LEVEL DETECTION SYSTEM - A fluid level detection system includes a fluid reservoir defining a cavity for holding fluid therein. A fluid level sensor is mounted to the fluid reservoir. The solenoid body defines a first opening establishing fluid communication between an armature chamber and a cavity defined by the reservoir. Travel time of an armature within the armature chamber is thereby affected by fluid level in the reservoir. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor and is operable to receive a sensor signal indicative of travel time from the sensor and formulate a control signal corresponding thereto. A power source is operatively connected to the controller for energizing the coil and the controller. In some embodiments, multiple fluid containing components are connected with one or more controllers. An engine, a transmission, and rear axle differentials on a vehicle may be equipped with sensors to provide fluid level, temperature and viscosity information. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110089350 | FLUID-BIASED HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVE WITH ARMATURE PISTON - A hydraulic control valve has a solenoid body, a selectively energizable coil, and an armature positioned adjacent the coil. The coil is energizable to generate a magnetic force that moves the armature from a first position to a second position. A pole piece is positioned to establish a gap between the pole piece and the armature. The pole piece has a cavity that opens at the gap. A piston extends from the armature into the cavity and moves with the armature. The armature is biased to seat at a valve seat in the first position by pressurized fluid. Magnetic force required to move the armature away from the valve seat is a function of the difference between an area of the piston and an area defined by contact of the armature at the valve seat. | 04-21-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080250851 | INTEGRATED OIL CONDITION AND LEVEL SENSOR - An oil condition and level sensor is provided that includes a solenoid body, a coil, an armature and a pole piece. The solenoid body defines an armature chamber between the armature and the pole piece. The armature is movable in the armature chamber in response to energizing of the coil. In an oil condition sensing system, the coil is operatively connected to a controller which can determine at least one of an oil temperature, oil viscosity, oil level, and an oil change occurrence. In one embodiment, four oil levels, including an overfill oil level and an excessively low oil level may be detected. The sensor is referred to as an integrated oil condition and level sensor as multiple sensing functions are integrated into one sensor. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20100186696 | OIL CONTROL VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR ENGINE CAM SWITCHING - An oil control valve assembly for an engine is provided that has a control valve with a valve body, and a manifold that defines a control passage in fluid communication with a valve lift switching component and an exhaust passage for exhausting fluid from the valve. The control valve is controllable to selectively direct fluid from a supply source to the control passage to actuate the valve lift switching component. An elongated tubular member is positioned adjacent the engine component and is operatively connected to the exhaust passage such that fluid flows from the exhaust passage to the elongated tubular member and through the elongated tubular member onto the engine component. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100212420 | INDUCTIVE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR - A sensor for measuring a level of a fluid includes a member and a bobbin defining a cavity therethrough and configured for receiving the member. The sensor also includes at least one inductive coil wound to the bobbin, wherein the at least one inductive coil defines a plurality of symmetrical layers that each extend along an axial length of the bobbin. The sensor includes a float operably connected to the member and buoyant in a fluid having a level in a container. The member axially translates within the cavity in response to a change in position of the float according to the level of the fluid so that an inductance of the at least one inductive coil varies in relation to a position of the member within the cavity and thereby in relation to the level of the fluid. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100269586 | SENSOR FOR INDUCTIVE MEASURE OF FLUID LEVEL - A sensor for measuring fluid level is provided that includes a float, which may be steel or another material that affects magnetic flux. The sensor further includes a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the float. The housing may be, but need not be, tubular, and the cavity may be cylindrical. At least one magnetic coil is wound to the housing along the cavity. The coil may be wound around the housing. The float is positionable in the fluid to move within the cavity in relation to fluid level. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100281971 | FLUID CONDITION AND LEVEL SENSOR - A fluid condition and level sensor is provided that includes a solenoid body, a coil, and an armature surrounded by the coil. The solenoid body defines an armature chamber in which the armature is movable in response to energizing of the coil. The sensor is mounted to a reservoir such that a first portion of the solenoid body extends into a cavity defined by the reservoir, and so that movement of the armature is substantially transverse to a direction of fluid level change in the reservoir. The first portion of the solenoid body defines an opening permitting fluid communication between the cavity and the armature chamber, such that fluid enters and is displaced from the armature chamber through the opening as the armature moves, movement of the armature within the armature chamber thereby being affected by fluid level in the reservoir. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100320407 | FLUID-BIASED HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVE - A hydraulic control valve is provided having a solenoid body, an energizable coil, and an armature positioned adjacent the coil. A valve stem extends from the armature. The coil is energizable to move the armature and the valve stem from a first position to a second position. The valve body, the armature and the valve stem are configured so that the armature and the valve stem are biased to the first position by pressurized fluid, allowing the armature to operate without a biasing spring. | 12-23-2010 |
