Vehicle steering arrangement and method
US7997360B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D11/005
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Vehicles with open loop hydraulic steering systems may suffer from jerky steering due to the necessity to have safety valves in the open loop system to prevent uncontrolled vehicle movement. Traditional open loop steering arrangements allow steering by controlling fluid quantities flowing from the pump to the drive motors. The disclosed vehicle has an open loop hydraulic drive system including first and second variable displacement motors for driving ground engaging mechanisms at first and second sides of the vehicle, respectively. The system includes a control mechanism configured for steering the vehicle by changing the displacement of one of the first and second motors. This allows the operator to change the drive motor speed range during travel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.