Pressure sensor integrated into an electro-hydraulic control unit

(12) United States Patent

Babala et al.

US006736013B2

(io) Patent No.: US 6,736,013 B2 (45) Date of Patent: *May 18,2004

(54) PRESSURE SENSOR INTEGRATED INTO AN ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT

(75) Inventors: Michael L. Babala, Plymouth, MI

(US); Marc Bolitho, Linden, MI (US);
Paul M. Schliebe, Dexter, MI (US);
Thomas Baron, Leimbach (DE);
Helmut Gegalski, Miilheim-Karlich
(DE)

(73) Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company, Livonia, MI (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 118 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl. No.: 10/116,743

(22) Filed: Apr. 3, 2002

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2002/0157474 Al Oct. 31, 2002

Related U.S. Application Data

(63) Continuation of application No. 09/473,236, filed on Dec.

27, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,374,679. (60) Provisional application No. 60/113,984, filed on Dec. 28,

1998, and provisional application No. 60/115,341, filed on

Jan. 11, 1999.

(30) Foreign Application Priority Data

Apr. 9, 1999 (DE) 199 16 087

(51) Int. C I. COIL 7/08

(52) U.S. CI 73/715; 73/705; 73/700

(58) Field of Search 73/116, 117, 118,

73/119, 756, 715

A pressure sensor is mounted integrally in a hydraulic valve body. The sensor has a base which extends into a bore formed in the valve body. The valve body bore is in communication with a pressurized hydraulic fluid. A first circumferential groove formed in the sensor base carries an O-ring which forms a seal between the sensor and the wall of the valve body bore. A second circumferential groove formed in the sensor base carries a spring ring which extends into a corresponding groove formed in the wall of the valve body groove. The spring ring cooperates with the sensor base and valve body bore grooves to retain the sensor in the valve body bore.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets