Importance

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Abstract

Fluid systems having modulating pressure relief valves ar normally needed in systems having clutches that require smooth engagement. It is also necessary in many systems to keep the sizes of components small to fit all of the necessary elements into a small area while simultaneously keeping the controls simple in construction for ease of manufacturing. The present modulating relief valve includes a housing having a dump valve, a load piston, and a relief valve spool concentrically disposed in the housing and adapted to control the rate of pressure rise of a fluid to a clutch and to further control the fluid flow to a torque converter while maintaining the system at a maximum pressure level. The load piston is operatively associated in a fluid flow controlling relation with each of the dump valve and the relief valve spool to control the flow of fluid to the torque converter and to simultaneously control the rate of pressure rise of the fluid in the clutch as well as limit the maximum system pressure. By having the elements of the modulating relief valve concentrically arranged and slidably disposed one within the other, the size of the modulating relief valve is reduced.

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First Claim