Flow control device of a power steering apparatus
US5822988A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 20, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF15B2211/88
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a flow control device for vehicles and like, a union 17 of a pump receives a load pressure responsive valve 24. The union 17 is provided with outlet port to supply operating fluid regulated by a flow control valve to a control valve. The load pressure responsive valve, received in the union, has a variable orifice. The load pressure responsive valve brings the spring chamber into communication with the reservoir when road pressure, caused by operation of a steering wheel, is relatively low and the load pressure responsive valve shuts the communication between the spring chamber and the reservoir in response to rising of the road pressure. Therefore, the flow control device provides the power saving caused by decreasing the flow rate supplied from the pump to the control valve at low load pressure without substantial improvement of a pump housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.