Automatic transmission selector valve

Claim 2

A selector valve for controlling fluid flow between a fluid pressure source and first and second operating ports, said selector valve comprising: (A) a valve body having: (a) a bore therein, (b) an inlet port, (c) a first operating port, (d) a second operating port, and (e) a drain port, each of said ports communicating with said bore; and (B) a valve element removably positioned within said bore in a first orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port and said second operating port communicating with said drain port, (b) said valve element being shiftable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said drain port, and (c) said valve element being shiftable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said drain port; and in a second orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port and said second operating port communicating with said drain port, (b) said valve element being shiftable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said drain port, and (c) said valve element being shiftable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said drain port.

Claim 3

A clutch position selector valve operably connected to a transmission shift lever, comprising: (A) a selector valve body having: (a) an inlet port, (b) a first operating port, (c) a second operating port, (d) a drain port; and (B) a valve element removably positioned for rotational movement within said valve body and positioned therein in a first orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port and said second operating port communicating with said drain port, (b) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said drain port, and (c) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said drain port; and in a second orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port and said second operating port communicating with said drain port, (b) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said drain port, and (c) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said drain port.

Claim 4

A clutch position selector valve operably connected to a transmission shift lever, comprising: (A) a selector valve body having: (a) an inlet port, (b) a first operating port, (c) a second operating port, (d) a drain port; and (B) a valve element removably positioned for rotational movement within said valve body and positioned therein in a first orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port and said second operating port communicating with said drain port, (b) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said drain port, and (c) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said drain port; and in a second orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port and said second operating port communicating with said drain port, (b) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said drain port, and (c) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said drain port.

Claim 5

A clutch position selector valve operably connected to a transmission shift lever, comprising: (A) a selector valve body having: (a) a bore therein, (b) an inlet port, (c) a first operating port, (d) a second operating port, (e) a first drain port, and (f) a second drain port, each of said ports communicating with said bore; and (B) a valve element removably positioned for rotational movement within said bore in a first orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port communicating with said first drain port, and said second operating port communicating with said second drain port, (b) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said first drain port, and (c) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said second drain port; and in a second orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port communicating with said first drain port, and said second operating port communicating with said second drain port, (b) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said second drain port, and (c) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said first drain port.

Claim 6

A clutch position selector valve operably connected to a transmission shift lever, comprising: (A) a selector valve body having: (a) a bore therein, (b) an inlet port, (c) a first operating port, (d) a second operating port, (e) a first drain port, and (f) a second drain port, each of said ports communicating with said bore; and (B) a valve element removably positioned for rotational movement within said bore in a first orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port communicating with said first drain port, and said second operating port communicating with said second drain port, (b) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said first drain port, and (c) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said second drain port; and in a second orientation in which: (a) said inlet port is blocked from fluid flow through said valve, said first operating port communicating with said first drain port, and said second operating port communicating with said second drain port, (b) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said second operating port while blocking communication between said second operating port and said second drain port, and (c) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said inlet port and said first operating port while blocking communication between said first operating port and said first drain port.

Claim 7

A selector valve for use in an automatic power transmission including: (a) an operating pressure feed line, (b) a forward hydraulically actuated clutch, (c) a reverse hydraulically actuated clutch, (d) power input means, (e) power output means, and (f) an operating fluid reservoir, said selector valve comprising: (a) a selector valve body having: (i) an inlet port communicating with said operating pressure feed line, (ii) a forward operating port communicating with said forward clutch, (iii) a reverse operating port communicating with said reverse clutch, and (iv) a drain port communicating with said fluid reservoir, and (b) a valve element removably positioned for rotational movement within said valve body and positionable therein in a first orientation in which: (i) said valve element blocks communication between said operating pressure feed line and each of said clutches, and each of said clutches communicates with said fluid reservoir, (ii) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said operating pressure feed line and said forward clutch and blocks communication between said forward clutch and said drain port, and (iii) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said operating pressure feed line and said reverse clutch and blocks communication between said reverse clutch and said drain port, and in a second orientation in which: (i) said valve element blocks communication between said operating pressure feed line and each of said clutches, and each of said clutches communicates with said fluid reservoir, (ii) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said operating pressure feed line and said reverse clutch and blocks communication between said reverse clutch and said drain port, and (iii) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said operating pressure feed line and said forward clutch and blocks communication between said reverse clutch and said drain port.

Claim 8

A selector valve for use in an automatic power transmission including: (a) an operating pressure feed line, (b) a forward hydraulically actuated clutch, (c) a reverse hydraulically actuated clutch, (d) power input means, (e) power output means, and (f) an operating fluid reservoir, said selector valve comprising: (a) a selector valve body having: (i) an inlet port communicating with said operating pressure feed line, (ii) a forward operating port communicating with said forward clutch, (iii) a reverse operating port communicating with said reverse clutch, and (iv) a drain port communicating with said fluid reservoir, and (b) a valve element removably positioned for rotational movement within said valve body and positionable therein in a first orientation in which: (i) said valve element blocks communication between said operating pressure feed line and each of said clutches, and each of said clutches communicates with said fluid reservoir, (ii) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said operating pressure feed line and said forward clutch and blocks communication between said forward clutch and said drain port, and (iii) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said operating pressure feed line and said reverse clutch and blocks communication between said reverse clutch and said drain port, and in a second orientation in which: (i) said valve element blocks communication between said operating pressure feed line and each of said clutches, and each of said clutches communicates with said fluid reservoir, (ii) said valve element being rotatable clockwise establishing communication between said operating pressure feed line and said reverse clutch and blocks communication between said reverse clutch and said drain port, and (iii) said valve element being rotatable counter-clockwise establishing communication between said operating pressure feed line and said forward clutch and blocks communication between said reverse clutch and said drain port.

Claim 9

The valve as set forth in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said valve element comprises a cylindrical spool having three fluid sealing ridges formed thereon and projecting radially therefrom for sealing against the interior surface of said valve body to selectively control fluid flow therethrough.

Claim 10

The valve as set forth in claim 5, wherein said valve element fluid sealing ridges are oriented axially on said cylindrical spool and are positioned 120° apart about the axis of said spool.

Claim 11

The valve as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cylindrical spool is slidably positioned about a valve shaft wherein said valve spool first and second orientations are 180° apart about the axis of said valve spool.

Claim 12

An automatic power transmission for an industrial vehicle having a hydrokinetic torque converter, a transmission housing, an operating pressure feed line, a pressure modulating valve to regulate the fluid pressure in said operating pressure feed line, said presure modulating valve including a drain port, a lubricating oil feed port and a hydraulic pressure responsive valve element that is displaceable to uncover said lubricating oil feed port before it uncovers said drain port upon modulating operation thereof, feed passage means for feeding a hydraulic fluid under pressure from said operating presssure feed line to said torque converter, exhaust passage means for exhausting the fluid from said torque converter, clutch position selector valve means operably connected to an operating lever mounted adjacent to a steering wheel, said selector valve means causing the clutch to move between a forward clutch position and a reverse clutch position, said selector valve means comprising: a selector valve body having a substantially cylindrical configuration and having a bore therein, said valve body being provided with an inlet port communicating with said hydraulic fluid feed passage means, a forward clutch port communicating wth a forward clutch chamber of a clutch drum, a reverse clutch port communicating with a reverse clutch chamber of said clutch drum, and drain ports arranged substantially parallel to respective corresponding said forward and reverse clutch ports; a selector shaft rotatably received within said bore, said selector shaft having one end protruding outwardly from said bore; a selector lever fixedly secured on said outwardly protruding end of said selector shaft and operably connected to an operating means for switching the position of said clutch between said forward clutch position and said reverse clutch position; and a valve spool releasably secured on the other end of said selector shaft so as to rotate therewith, said valve spool being provided with three grooves through one of which said inlet port of said valve body communicates with said forward clutch port and said reverse clutch port selectively and when one of said grooves of said valve spool establishes communication between said inlet port and either said forward clutch port or said reverse clutch port, the other grooves do not communicate with said inlet port, and said valve spool being reversible on said selector shaft so as to allow positioning of an operating lever of said operating means on the opposite side with respect to a steering column of the vehicle by reversing the position thereof.

Claim 13

An automatic power transmission for an industrial vehicle having a hydrokinetic torque converter, a transmission housing, an operating pressure feed line, a pressure modulating valve to regulate the fluid pressure in said operating pressure feed line, said presure modulating valve including a drain port, a lubricating oil feed port and a hydraulic pressure responsive valve element that is displaceable to uncover said lubricating oil feed port before it uncovers said drain port upon modulating operation thereof, feed passage means for feeding a hydraulic fluid under pressure from said operating presssure feed line to said torque converter, exhaust passage means for exhausting the fluid from said torque converter, clutch position selector valve means operably connected to an operating lever mounted adjacent to a steering wheel, said selector valve means causing the clutch to move between a forward clutch position and a reverse clutch position, said selector valve means comprising: a selector valve body having a substantially cylindrical configuration and having a bore therein, said valve body being provided with an inlet port communicating with said hydraulic fluid feed passage means, a forward clutch port communicating wth a forward clutch chamber of a clutch drum, a reverse clutch port communicating with a reverse clutch chamber of said clutch drum, and drain ports arranged substantially parallel to respective corresponding said forward and reverse clutch ports; a selector shaft rotatably received within said bore, said selector shaft having one end protruding outwardly from said bore; a selector lever fixedly secured on said outwardly protruding end of said selector shaft and operably connected to an operating means for switching the position of said clutch between said forward clutch position and said reverse clutch position; and a valve spool releasably secured on the other end of said selector shaft so as to rotate therewith, said valve spool being provided with three grooves through one of which said inlet port of said valve body communicates with said forward clutch port and said reverse clutch port selectively and when one of said grooves of said valve spool establishes communication between said inlet port and either said forward clutch port or said reverse clutch port, the other grooves do not communicate with said inlet port, and said valve spool being reversible on said selector shaft so as to allow positioning of an operating lever of said operating means on the opposite side with respect to a steering column of the vehicle by reversing the position thereof.

Claim 14

An automatic power transmission, as recited in claim 8, wherein said valve spool is formed with three peripheral longitudinally extending ridges defining three longitudinally extending grooves therebetween.

Claim 15

The automatic power transmission as recited in claim 9, wherein said ridges are oriented about radial centerlines 120° apart.

Claim 16

An automatic power transmission, as recited in claim 8, wherein said valve spool has a substantially cylindrical form and is slidably positioned about and fixed to a selector shaft so as to rotate therewith.

Claim 17

An automatic power transmission, as recited in claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, further comprising means for retaining said selector lever in each of said forward, reverse and neutral postions.

Claim 18

An automatic power transmission, as recited in claim 12, wherein said selector lever retaining means comprises: a second bore formed in said valve body and extending substantially parallel to said valve body bore; a member movably disposed within said second bore and having a round portion at the outer end thereof; a spring member disposed within said second bore and urging said movable member outwardly; and a plurality of recessed formed on the inner surface of said selector lever, each of said recesses selectively receiving said movable member so as to retain said selector lever in forward, reverse or neutral position.

Claim 19

A selector valve for selectively connecting a fluid source to first and second working sections, said selector valve comprising: a valve body having an axially extending bore, and first, second and third ports, said first port establishing communication between said fluid source and said bore, said second port establishing communication between said bore and said first working section, and said third port establishing communication between said bore and said second working section; a valve element disposed within said bore and being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the rotational axis of said valve element being co-axial with the longitudinal axis of said bore, said valve element rotating in one direction to establish communication between said first port and said second port, said valve element rotating in the other direction to establish communication between said first port and said third port, said valve element being shaped and sized to permit it to be removed from and reversely positioned within said bore, said reversely positioned valve element rotating in said one direction to establish communication between said first port and said third port, said reversely positioned valve element rotating in said other direction to establish communication between said first port and said second port.

Claim 20

A selector valve for selectively connecting a fluid source to first and second working sections, said selector valve comprising: a valve body having an axially extending bore, and first, second and third ports, said first port establishing communication between said fluid source and said bore, said second port establishing communication between said bore and said first working section, and said third port establishing communication between said bore and said second working section; a valve element disposed within said bore and being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the rotational axis of said valve element being co-axial with the longitudinal axis of said bore, said valve element rotating in one direction to establish communication between said first port and said second port, said valve element rotating in the other direction to establish communication between said first port and said third port, said valve element being shaped and sized to permit it to be removed from and reversely positioned within said bore, said reversely positioned valve element rotating in said one direction to establish communication between said first port and said third port, said reversely positioned valve element rotating in said other direction to establish communication between said first port and said second port.

Claim 21

An automatic power transmission for an industrial vehicle having a hydrokinetic torque converter, a transmission housing, an operating pressure feed line, a pressure modulating valve to regular the fluid pressure in said operating pressure feed line, said pressure modulating valve including a drain port, a lubricating oil feed port and a hydraulic pressure responsive valve element that is displaceable to uncover said lubricating oil feed port before it uncovers said drain port upon modulating operation thereof, feed passage means for feeding a hydraulic fluid under pressure from said operating pressure feed line to said torque converter, exhaust passage means for exhausting the fluid from said torque converter, clutch position selector valve means operably connected to an operating lever mounted adjacent a steering wheel, said selector valve means causing the clutch to move between a forward clutch position and a reverse clutch position, said selector valve means comprising: a selector valve body having a substantially cylindrical configuration and having a bore therein, said valve body being rovided with an inlet port communicating with said hydraulic fluid feed passage means, a forward clutch port communicating with a forward clutch chamber of a clutch drum, a reverse clutch port communicating with a reverse clutch chamber of said clutch drum, and drain ports arranged substantially parallel to respective corresponding said forward and reverse clutch ports; a valve spool coaxially disposed within said bore of said valve housing and rotatable about its axis between first and second and third positions, said valve spool blocking communication between said inlet port and said forward and reverse clutch ports in said first position, said valve spool establishing communication between said inlet port and said forward clutch port and between said reverse clutch port and said drain port in said second position, and said valve spool establishing communication between said inlet port and said reverse clutch port and between said forward clutch port and said drain port in said third position, said valve spool being shaped and sized to permit it to be removed from and reversely positioned within said bore, said rotating valve spool thereupon establishing the previously described third position communication relationship in said second position, and establishing the previously described second position communication relationship in said third position; and a selector lever for rotating said valve spool to said first, second and third positions, said selector lever including means for releasably affixing said selector lever to said valve spool at both axial ends of said valve spool.

Claim 22

An automatic power transmission for an industrial vehicle having a hydrokinetic torque converter, a transmission housing, an operating pressure feed line, a pressure modulating valve to regular the fluid pressure in said operating pressure feed line, said pressure modulating valve including a drain port, a lubricating oil feed port and a hydraulic pressure responsive valve element that is displaceable to uncover said lubricating oil feed port before it uncovers said drain port upon modulating operation thereof, feed passage means for feeding a hydraulic fluid under pressure from said operating pressure feed line to said torque converter, exhaust passage means for exhausting the fluid from said torque converter, clutch position selector valve means operably connected to an operating lever mounted adjacent a steering wheel, said selector valve means causing the clutch to move between a forward clutch position and a reverse clutch position, said selector valve means comprising: a selector valve body having a substantially cylindrical configuration and having a bore therein, said valve body being rovided with an inlet port communicating with said hydraulic fluid feed passage means, a forward clutch port communicating with a forward clutch chamber of a clutch drum, a reverse clutch port communicating with a reverse clutch chamber of said clutch drum, and drain ports arranged substantially parallel to respective corresponding said forward and reverse clutch ports; a valve spool coaxially disposed within said bore of said valve housing and rotatable about its axis between first and second and third positions, said valve spool blocking communication between said inlet port and said forward and reverse clutch ports in said first position, said valve spool establishing communication between said inlet port and said forward clutch port and between said reverse clutch port and said drain port in said second position, and said valve spool establishing communication between said inlet port and said reverse clutch port and between said forward clutch port and said drain port in said third position, said valve spool being shaped and sized to permit it to be removed from and reversely positioned within said bore, said rotating valve spool thereupon establishing the previously described third position communication relationship in said second position, and establishing the previously described second position communication relationship in said third position; and a selector lever for rotating said valve spool to said first, second and third positions, said selector lever including means for releasably affixing said selector lever to said valve spool at both axial ends of said valve spool.