Patent ID: 8800404
Filing Date: 2014-08-12
Classification: B60K,B60W,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A powertrain system in a hybrid vehicle comprising: a transmission configured to receive a torque from at least one of an engine and a motor; the transmission having a hydraulic device; a pilot valve assembly including a first valve portion and a second valve portion; the first valve portion including a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) pilot microvalve; the second valve portion including a small mechanical spool valve that is larger than a MEMS based spool valve; the pilot valve assembly operably connected to the hydraulic device and configured to actuate; and a regulator valve operably connected to the pilot valve assembly and the hydraulic device and configured to direct fluid to the hydraulic device when actuated by the pilot valve assembly; wherein the first valve portion of the pilot valve assembly outputs an unamplified pilot signal, which is amplified by the second valve portion of the pilot valve assembly to define an amplified pilot signal, with the regulator valve receiving the amplified pilot signal and outputting a control signal to control the hydraulic device.