Patent · US Expired

Method for controlling the steering volume flow of a hydraulic power-assisted steering unit for motor vehicles

US6145309A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
26References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 1998
Grant dateNov 14, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 14, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7783
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A apparatus for use with an open center steering valve (3) of a hydraulic power-assisted steering unit of a motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises an electric motor operated pump (5) and a hydraulic accumulator (7) for storing a pressurized quantity of hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic accumulator (7) is hydraulically connected to the pump (5). The pump (5) supplies the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic accumulator (7). The apparatus further comprises a valve arrangement (10) for controlling hydraulic fluid flow from the hydraulic accumulator (7). The valve arrangement (10) has a riser (25), a slide valve (19), a valve seat (21), and an electromagnet. The riser (25) is hydraulically connected to the pump (5). The valve seat (21) has an opening which hydraulically connects the riser (25) and the hydraulic accumulator (7). The slide valve (19) is located within the electromagnet of the valve arrangement (10) and is movable by the electromagnet from a position blocking the valve seat opening and preventing hydraulic fluid flow from the accumulator (7) to the riser to a position clearing the valve seat opening and allowing hydraulic fluid flow from the accumulator (7) to the ri…

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