Externally adjustable pressure modulating valve
AssigneeZf Off-Highway Solutions Minnesota Inc.
InventorsMichael Prahl, Peter Backes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An externally adjustable pressure modulating valve is disclosed. In one example, the valve has a valve body extending along a valve axis and defining a plunger cavity extending axially into a first end of the valve body. A valve spool is retained in the valve body and is movable along the valve axis. An input plunger is slidable axially in the plunger cavity between a resting position and an actuated position. An external adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the modulation spring force when the input plunger is fully actuated. In one example, the adjustment mechanism includes a threaded sleeve in the plunger cavity, where rotating the threaded sleeve changes the mechanical stop of the input plunger.
Claims20
An externally adjustable pressure modulating valve, comprising:
- a valve body extending along a valve axis and defining a pressure port, an output port, a tank port, and a plunger cavity;
- a valve spool retained in the valve body and movable along the valve axis;
- an input plunger in the plunger cavity and movable along the valve axis between a resting position and a fully actuated position;
- one or more modulation springs in a modulation spring cavity between the input plunger and the valve spool;
- and
- an adjustment mechanism operable from an outside of the valve to change a force of the one or more modulation springs when the input plunger is in the fully actuated position.
A method of adjusting a pressure modulating valve, comprising:
- providing a pressure modulating valve having an input plunger, the pressure modulating valve configured to be externally adjustable to adjust a spring force of a modulation spring when the input plunger is fully actuated;
- determining an output pressure at a given supply pressure when the input plunger is fully actuated;
- and
- adjusting an axial position of the mechanical stop and/or an axial dimension of a modulation spring cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.