Patent · US Expired

Hydraulic master-slave steering system for a wide track vehicle

US4263979A · kind A · utility

50Cited by
4References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 9, 1978
Grant dateApr 28, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 9, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D7/1509
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An electro-hydraulic steering system is disclosed for a wide track steerable vehicle which changes the position of each steerable slave wheel to an optimum angle depending on the angle of a hydraulically steerable master wheel. Controls, including electro-hydraulic steering mechanisms, are provided to cause the steerable slave wheels to turn relative to one another to assume and maintain an optimum turning radius and optimum turning relationship as the vehicle operator maneuvers the vehicle along a desired curved path of travel by hydraulically controlling a master steerable wheel. The system minimizes tire wear, reduces structural stresses in the vehicle, and maximizes traction during turning maneuvers. No conventional tie rods are required and the system may be implemented to permit two wheel steering, four wheel crab steering, and four or more wheel coordinated steering. The system uses a position sensor on the hydraulically steerable master wheel to produce a signal to control the positioning of the slave wheels. The signal is digitized to produce a signal which, when compared to a position signal from a position sensor for each slave wheel, causes each slave wheel to assume an…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.