Rack and pinion power steering system with variable damping characteristics
US6450286B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16F9/34
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A rack and pinion power steering system 10 is provided and includes a variable orifice valve 22 which controls the flow of fluid in and out of a hydraulic cylinder 20. Variable orifice valve 22 is communicatively coupled to a source of pressurized fluid 30 by use of a conduit 42 and an electronically controlled valve assembly 38. The pressurized fluid received through conduit 42 controls the operation of valve 22. Based upon the pressure of the received fluid, valve 22 selectively increases and decreases the volume of fluid flow in and out of cylinder 20, thereby causing cylinder 20 to have enhanced damping characteristics during certain vehicle operating conditions (e.g., during relatively high vehicle speed operating conditions).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.