Patent ID: 7828684

Claim:
A control system for controlling an axle clutch, the control system comprising: a controller for providing a first control signal, a second control signal, and a third control signal; a first solenoid in communication with the controller and having a first port for receiving a first fluid flow and a second port in communication with the first port for selectively receiving the first fluid flow; a second solenoid in communication with the controller and having a first port for receiving a second fluid flow and a second port in communication with the first port for selectively receiving a third fluid flow, the second solenoid operable to vary the third fluid flow according to the third control signal; and a valve assembly having a valve movably disposed within a valve body, the valve body having a first inlet port in communication with the second port of the first solenoid, a second inlet port in communication with second port of the second solenoid, and an outlet port in communication with the second inlet port for selectively receiving the third fluid flow; wherein the first control signal activates the first solenoid to open such that the second port of the first solenoid receives the first fluid flow and communicates the first fluid flow to the first inlet port of the valve assembly to move the valve to a first position, and wherein the second control signal activates the first solenoid to close such that the second port of the first solenoid does not receive the first fluid flow and the valve assembly moves to a second position; and wherein the first position of the valve directs the third fluid flow to the outlet port to engage the axle clutch and wherein the second position of the valve prevents the third fluid flow from communicating with the outlet port to disengage the axle clutch.