US3708047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-hydraulic selector for the control of multiple loads
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
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Filing: 1971-01-18
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A multiplicity of loads, such as the clutches and brakes designed to establish different speed ratios in an automotive gear-shift transmission, are individually actuatable by an array of hydraulic valves forming several cascaded stages, the number of valves per stage increasing as a geometric progression of base 2. Several solenoid relays, selectively energizable with the aid of a coding matrix under the control of a manually operated shift lever, are assigned to the valves of respective stages for jointly displacing them between two alternate positions, thereby completing any one of 2n distinct fluid paths where n is the number of stages.
Inventors
- 👤 W Kuhnle
- 👤 W Frei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:42
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/02; F16H61/0202; F16H61/0248; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/08; G05B19/43; G05B19/46; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; F16H59/04; F16H59/044; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8175; Y10T137/8192; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/877; Y10T137/87708; Y10T137/87772
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A controller for the selective operation of a multiplicity n of different loads, comprising an electrofluidic matrix with a supply line for a pressure fluid, n discharge lines for said fluid leading to said loads, a lesser number m of electric switching elements, and valve means movable by said switching elements to direct fluid from said supply line over n different paths to any one of said discharge lines; a set of m operating circuits for said switching elements; and selector means for energizing said m operating circuits in any of n different combinations to establish a corresponding path; said valve means comprising a multiplicity of two-position valves each with an inlet port and two outlet ports alternatively communicating with said inlet port, said valves being arrayed in m cascaded stages, the vaLves of each stage being interconnected for joint displacement between the two positions thereof by a respective switching element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A controller for the selective operation of a multiplicity n of different loads, comprising an electrofluidic matrix with a supply line for a pressure fluid, n discharge lines for said fluid leading to said loads, a lesser number m of electric switching elements, and valve means movable by said switching elements to direct fluid from said supply line over n different paths to any one of said discharge lines; a set of m operating circuits for said switching elements; and selector means for energizing said m operating circuits in any of n different combinations to establish a corresponding path; said valve means comprising a multiplicity of two-position valves each with an inlet port and two outlet ports alternatively communicating with said inlet port, said valves being arrayed in m cascaded stages, the vaLves of each stage being interconnected for joint displacement between the two positions thereof by a respective switching element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A controller as defined in claim 1 wherein said selector means comprises a source of voltage, a logic network with n-1 input leads and with m output leads forming part of said operating circuits, and a setting member for connecting said source to any one of said input leads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A controller as defined in claim 2 wherein said logic network comprises a diode matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A controller as defined in claim 1 wherein the number of said valves progressively increases in successive stages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A controller as defined in claim 4 wherein the number of valves per stage varies in a geometric progression of base 2.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
A controller as defined in claim 5 wherein n 2m.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A controller as defined in claim 1 wherein said loads are fluid-responsive couplings for establishing different speed ratios in an automotive transmission.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3156157A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |