Patent ID: 8113237

Claim:
A device for controlling a level of hydraulic fluid in a first fluid reservoir and a second fluid reservoir in a transmission, the device comprising: a valve body disposed within the first fluid reservoir, the valve body comprising: an outer surface; an inner surface that defines a bore; a first opening disposed in the outer surface a first distance from the bore, wherein the first opening is in communication with the bore; a second opening disposed in the outer surface a second distance from the bore, wherein the second opening is in communication with the bore, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance; an outlet in communication with the bore and the second fluid reservoir; and a valve disposed within the bore of the valve body and moveable between at least a first position and a second position, wherein the hydraulic fluid is prevented from exceeding a first predefined level by positioning the valve in the first position to allow hydraulic fluid to flow from the first opening to the outlet thereby moving the hydraulic fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the second fluid reservoir, and wherein the hydraulic fluid is prevented from exceeding a second predefined level by positioning the valve in the second position to allow hydraulic fluid to flow from the second opening to the outlet thereby moving the hydraulic fluid from the first fluid reservoir to the second fluid reservoir.