Patent · US Active

Hydraulic steering system with a variable flow device

US7617906B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 14, 2005
Grant dateNov 17, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D5/065
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels (12, 14) of a vehicle in response to turning of a steering wheel (18) of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hydraulic power steering gear, which does not include a rotary valve responsive to a steering input generated by turning of a steering wheel (18). The hydraulic steering gear includes a first chamber (96) for holding hydraulic fluid and a second chamber (98) for holding hydraulic fluid. An increase in fluid pressure in one chamber acts to turn the steerable wheels (12, 14) of the vehicle in one direction and an increase in fluid pressure in the other chamber acts to turn the steerable wheels (12, 14) in a direction opposite the one direction. The apparatus (10) includes a variable flow mechanism (50) for supplying a flow of hydraulic fluid to the first and second chambers (96, 98), which flow varies in dependence upon at least one sensed vehicle condition.

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