Maura J Stafford

US Patent:

6585002, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Jan 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/035260

Inventors:

Maura Jane Stafford - Conyers GA

Assignee:

sonnax Industries, Inc. - Bellows Falls VT

International Classification:

F16K 1500

US Classification:

137539, 192 357, 192 8713

Abstract:

The present invention relates to automatic transmissions of land motor vehicles. Specifically, the present invention relates to pressure regulation in the system of automatic transmissions of land motor vehicles. The present invention is a pressure regulator valve that limits TV pressure. This valve is meant to replace the original equipment valve in the same casing the said original valve sat. The pressure regulator valve is slightly oversized and the kit has an o-ring equipped end plug to more positively seal the valve bore and prevent pressure loss, known in the industry as EPC/TV pressure. Furthermore, the valve has annular grooves added to prevent side loading by properly centering the valve in a bore. The pressure regulator valve comprises a steel ball and a spring combination with a gel like substance being added to prevent high wear and tear of the entire valve.

US Patent:

6619323, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Aug 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/226939

Inventors:

Maura Jane Stafford - Grayslake IL

Assignee:

Sonnax Industries, Inc. - Bellows Falls VT

International Classification:

F16K 31363

US Classification:

13762569, 137271

Abstract:

A reverse boost valve assembly for installation within the hydraulic pump of an automatic transmission is disclosed. The present invention includes valve pistons that oscillate within close-tolerance mating valve sleeves to minimize hydraulic leakage. The present valve pistons are manufactured from aluminum material and are provided with a hard anodize coating, which produces a low coefficient of friction between the mating surfaces. The valve sleeves are provided with a compatible anodize coating or, in the alternative, are fabricated from highly wear-resistant aluminum material. The reverse boost valve assembly is provided in both standard volume and oversize embodiments, which are interchangeable to permit a predetermined rate of line pressure rise to be selected for a given transmission. The reverse boost valve assembly is also supplied with or without external O-ring seals, which function to prevent line pressure leakage at the interface of the valve sleeve and the hydraulic pump body.

US Patent:

6634377, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Aug 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/939372

Inventors:

Maura Jane Stafford - Grayslake IL

Assignee:

Sonnax Industries, Inc. - Bellows Falls VT

International Classification:

F16H 6126

US Classification:

1374542, 13731511, 13731527, 477158

Abstract:

A replacement actuator feed limit valve assembly, which regulates the flow and pressure of automatic transmission fluid within the actuator feed limit hydraulic circuit in an automotive transmission valve body is disclosed. The present actuator feed limit valve assembly comprises a hard anodized valve piston disposed within a mating, full contact valve sleeve having inlet and exhaust ports disposed about its circumference which increases actuator feed limit circuit control, reduces oscillation, and eliminates side loading and bore wear thereby correcting improper gear starts, soft/delayed shifting and clutch/band failure. The present valve assembly also includes fluid directing structures, which reduce the turbulence of hydraulic fluid passing through the valve. By substitution of alternative compression springs provided in an aftermarket kit format, the present replacement actuator feed limit valve assembly will function in either General Motors 4L60E or 4L80E early and late design transmission valve bodies.

US Patent:

6736747, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/347946

Inventors:

Maura Jane Stafford - Warner Robins GA

Assignee:

Sonnax Industries, Inc. - Bellows Falls VT

International Classification:

F16H 3100

US Classification:

475116, 251282

Abstract:

A replacement forward clutch control valve assembly including a primary control land, which is designed to properly align the valve piston within its mating bore in the valve body of an automatic translate is disclosed. The primary control land has a substantially increased axial length in comparison to the original equipment manufacture valve piston without exceeding the overall length of the original valve piston. The present forward clutch control valve assembly provides a substantially improved control land-to-bore surface contact ratio and also provides a more durable end surface area for contact with the retaining clip during operation. As a result the present forward clutch control valve assembly is substantially less prone to bending and/or seizure within its mating bore during operation.

US Patent:

6776736, Aug 17, 2004

Filed:

Dec 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/321013

Inventors:

Maura Jane Stafford - Warner Robins GA
Scott C. Jackson - Chester VT

Assignee:

Sonnax Industries, Inc. - Bellows Falls VT

International Classification:

F16H 3100

US Classification:

475127, 477127, 13762566

Abstract:

A self-regulating reverse boost valve assembly for installation within the hydraulic pump of an automatic transmission is disclosed. The present reverse boost valve assembly operates in conjunction with the pressure regulator valve to control line pressure generated by the hydraulic pump boosting line pressure in relation to engine torque. The present reverse boost valve assembly includes an internal check valve mechanism that is actuated whenever torque signal fluid pressure (proportional to engine torque) exceeds a predetermined level. When the internal check valve mechanism is actuated, the excess torque signal fluid pressure is diverted via an internal exhaust channel to the transmission sump. Thus, any drastic rise in main line hydraulic pressure or high line pressure in reverse gear, which can result in broken direct clutch drums and/or broken transmission cases, is prevented.

US Patent:

6826908, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Feb 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/368987

Inventors:

Maura Jane Stafford - Warner Robins GA

Assignee:

Sonnax Industries, Inc. - Bellows Falls VT

International Classification:

F16D 3306

US Classification:

60357, 475127

Abstract:

A pressure regulator valve assembly for an automatic transmission that provides continuous hydraulic fluid flow into the torque converter charge circuit in all operating modes to prevent torque converter overheating is disclosed. The present pressure regulator valve assembly includes a valve piston subassembly having an encapsulated internal check valve in fluid communication with the line pressure circuit, which diverts hydraulic fluid to the torque converter charge circuit responsive to a lower fluid pressure (i. e. 2-5 psi range) than is normally required to fill the torque converter. When the vehicle engine is shut off, the internal check valve also prevents hydraulic fluid from draining back through the pressure regulator valve to maintain an adequate fluid level in the torque converter. In addition, an internal balance boost circuit has been added to the valve piston subassembly to assist the balance circuit in counteracting electronic pressure control (EPC) solenoid pressure.

US Patent:

6832671, Dec 21, 2004

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/187092

Inventors:

Maura Jane Stafford - Grayslake IL

Assignee:

Sonnax Industries, Inc. - Bellows Falls VT

International Classification:

F16H 6114

US Classification:

192 329, 294011, 192 33, 192 85 R, 277434

Abstract:

A replacement torque converter clutch (TCC) apply valve for regulating the application of the torque converter clutch within an automatic transmission is disclosed. The TCC apply valve includes a valve piston having an expandable seal installed thereon at the primary wear location within a mating bore in the valve body to reduce hydraulic leakage. The valve piston also includes an internal fluid gallery formed therein in fluid communication with an annular groove wherein the expandable seal resides. Whenever the present TCC apply valve is actuated, TCC signal pressure enters the fluid gallery in the valve piston under pressure and simultaneously urges the expandable seal in a radially outward direction into contact with the mating bore to minimize hydraulic fluid leakage during the apply cycle of the torque converter clutch.

US Patent:

6990996, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Apr 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/424894

Inventors:

Maura Jane Stafford - Warner Robins GA, US

Assignee:

Sonnax Industries, Inc. - Bellows Falls VT

International Classification:

F16K 27/04

US Classification:

1374542, 192 33

Abstract:

A replacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly for use within an automatic transmission including two cooperating valves, namely a regulator apply valve and an isolator valve, disposed in fluid communication with a line pressure circuit and a torque converter clutch apply circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment the regulator apply valve employs a regulator apply valve sleeve, which provides support to the regulator apply valve to prevent side loading. Modified control lands on the regulator apply valve have a reduced cross-sectional area calculated to increase the influence of the pulse width modulated solenoid, which provides an output pressure in response to the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid coil in pulse width modulated converter systems. In an alternative embodiment an isolator valve sleeve is utilized for instances wherein the isolator valve bore has extreme wear that cannot be corrected solely by the installation of the replacement isolator valve.