# US 2019/0376599 A1 · Methods and Systems For Improving The Operation Of Transmissions For Motor Vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0376599 A1 - Document ID: US20190376599A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/405,333 - Filed: 2019-05-07 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-11 - Assignees: Transgo, LLC - Inventors: David A Hardin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190376599A1 ## CPC - F15B 13/0402: {for linearly sliding valves, e.g. spool valves} - F16H 61/0267: {Layout of hydraulic control circuits, e.g. arrangement of valves} - F16H 61/0276: {Elements specially adapted for hydraulic control units, e.g. valves} - F16K 1/48: Attaching valve members to screw-spindles - F16K 1/482: {with a collar on the spindle or a groove in the spindle, by which a fixing element is supported, the spindle reaching into the valve member} - F16K 1/487: {by a fixing element extending in the axial direction of the spindle, e.g. a screw} - F16K 11/10: with two or more closure members not moving as a unit - F16K 11/12: with one plug turning in another - F16K 27/02: of lift valves (for reducing the flow resistance of screw-spindle lift-valves F16K1/06) - G05D 16/2024: {the throttling means being a multiple-way valve} - F16H 2061/0062: {Modifying an existing transmission control from a manufacturer for improvement or adaptation, e.g. by replacing a valve or an electric part} - F16H 2061/0279: {Details of hydraulic valves, e.g. lands, ports, spools or springs} - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16H: GEARING - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES ## Abstract The “factory installed” pressure regulator valve of an automotive transmission is replaced by a pressure regulator valve having two separate valve components conjointly movable together in a bore. A protrusion or protuberance extending from the center of one end of one of the valve components defines a fulcrum which abuts against an adjacent end of the other valve component as the two valve components move conjointly and in direct contact with each other within the bore during operation of the pressure regulator valve. Preferably, an opening is provided in a land in one of the valve components to vent hydraulic fluid (transmission oil) to prevent a pressure build-up in the bore which might separate the two valve components from each other during reciprocating movement of the valve components in the bore. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressure regulator valve for an automotive transmission, said pressure regulator valve comprising separate first and second valve components, said first valve component having a protuberance defining a fulcrum extending from one end thereof in a direction towards an adjacent end of said second valve component, said first and second valve components being arranged such that the fulcrum of said first valve component directly contacts the adjacent end of said second valve component as said first and second valve components reciprocally move in a valve bore. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pressure regulator valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second valve components defines a vent opening. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The pressure regulator valve as claimed in claim 2, wherein said vent opening is defined in a land of said at least one valve component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pressure regulator valve as claimed in claim 3, wherein the size of said vent opening is selected such that fluid pressure in said at least one valve component does not exceed a predetermined fluid pressure so as to prevent said first and second valve components from disengaging from each other during reciprocal movement of said first and second valve components in said bore. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pressure regulator valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first valve component is greater in length than said second valve component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pressure regulator valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second valve components are of equal length. ### Claim 7 An hydraulic circuit for an automotive transmission, said hydraulic circuit having a pressure regulator valve, said pressure regulator valve comprising separate first and second valve components, said first valve component having a protuberance defining a fulcrum extending from one end thereof in a direction towards an adjacent end of said second valve component, said first and second valve components being arranged such that the fulcrum of said first valve component directly contacts the adjacent end of said second valve component as said first and second valve components reciprocally move in a valve bore. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The hydraulic circuit as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of said first and second valve components of said pressure regulator valve defines a vent opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The hydraulic circuit as claimed in claim 8, wherein said vent opening is defined in a land of said at least one valve component of said pressure regulator valve. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hydraulic circuit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the size of said vent opening is selected such that fluid pressure in said at least one valve component does not exceed a predetermined fluid pressure so as to prevent said first and second valve components from disengaging from each other during reciprocal movement of said first and second valve components in said valve bore. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The hydraulic circuit as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first valve component of said pressure regulator valve is greater in length than said second valve component of said pressure regulator valve. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The hydraulic circuit as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first and second valve components of said pressure regulator valve are of equal length. ### Claim 13 A method of modifying an automotive transmission having a pressure regulator valve formed from a single valve component, said method comprising the steps of: replacing said single valve component pressure regulator valve with a replacement pressure regulator valve having separate first and second valve components, said first valve component having a protuberance defining a fulcrum extending from one end thereof in a direction towards an adjacent end of said second valve component, and arranging said first and second valve components such that the fulcrum of said first valve component directly contacts the adjacent end of said second valve component as said first and second valve components reciprocally move in a valve bore. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, including the step of defining a vent opening in a land of at least one of said first and second valve components. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as claimed in claim 14, including the step of selecting the size of said vent opening such that fluid pressure in said at least one valve component does not exceed a predetermined fluid pressure so as to prevent said first and second valve components from disengaging from each other during reciprocal movement of said first and second valve components in said valve bore. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, including the step of selecting the length of said first valve component to be greater than the length of said second valve component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, including the step of selecting the length of said first and second valve components to be equal to each other. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said automotive transmission is a FORD 5R110W. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said automotive transmission is a FORD 6F35. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said automotive transmission is a FORD 6R60-6R80 or a BMW ZF6HP-19-61-IP-32.