Pressure control valve having enhanced durability

Abstract

A pressure control valve having a cage with an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with an engine oil circuit is disclosed. The pressure control valve further has a spool in sliding engagement within the cage which blocks fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet when the spool is in the first position and places the inlet in fluid communication with the outlet when the spool is in the second position. A thin film coating is applied to an outer surface of the spool. The pressure control valve yet further has an actuator which controls movement of the spool slides from the first position to the second position. The coating reduces wear on the outer surface of the spool due to exposure of the spool to the engine oil and sliding engagement with the cage. A component of a hydraulic system is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.