Patent ID: 6902506

Claim:
A differential comprising: a non-rotating differential housing; a differential case rotatably mounted within the housing and adapted to be driven by an input shaft; a differential gear assembly mounted within the differential case and adapted for attachment to a pair of output shafts for allowing differential rotational speed between the output shafts; a hydraulically actuated limited slip device disposed within the differential case for retarding differential rotational speed between the output shafts, wherein the differential case includes an outlet passage for the hydraulically actuated limited slip device; a solenoid operated valve for selectively modulating fluid flow through the outlet passage as a function of electrical current passed through an actuating coil, the solenoid valve comprising: an armature attached to the differential case for rotation therewith, wherein the actuating coil is operatively attached to the non-rotating differential housing, with the armature operatively attached to the hydraulically actuated limited slip device for modulating pressure in the limited slip device; a valve seat in the outlet passage; a ball retained in the outlet passage adjacent the seat and configured for seated engagement with the valve seat; and a push rod affixed to the armature for movement therewith, and extending through the outlet passage for sliding movement with respect thereto, and contacting the ball for regulating a position of the ball in relation to the valve seat.