Abstract: Systems and methods for multiplexing of a dedicated communication channel for multiple entities, including initiating, at a first entity, a request to share data with a second entity; sharing a portion of an aggregate record for the with the second entity including creating an entity-specific copy; initiating, at the first entity, a request to share data with a third entity; and sharing a portion of the aggregate record with the third entity including creating an entity-specific copy. The portions shared with the second and third entities are dependent on data sharing rules defining shared data, linked data, and entity-specific data that is i) nonsynchronous and ii) provided for display only at the entity associated with the data.

Abstract: A metering rod assembly for a pressure sensitive droop flow pump is provided. The assembly includes a metering rod having a first section with a first diameter and a second section with a section diameter, the second diameter larger than the first diameter. A shoulder is formed at a junction of the first section and second section, the shoulder extending radially perpendicular to the first section.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system with a pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. A valve is disposed whereby fluid from the pump flows through an inlet port, primary flow channel and outlet port of the valve to the first hydraulic application. The valve includes a body and a valve member that axially slides within an elongate valve chamber, partitioning the primary flow channel from a low pressure volume. The valve also includes a low pressure port and a bypass port. The bypass port is sealed from fluid communication with the valve chamber in a first position and is in fluid communication with the primary flow channel when the valve member is biased into a second position by a threshold exceeding elevated fluid pressure in the primary flow channel. Fluid discharged from the bypass port is diverted past the first application to the second application.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. A dual relief valve defines first and second flow channels, a passageway and a bypass port. The first flow channel is disposed between the hydraulic pump and the first hydraulic application and the second flow channel is disposed between the first hydraulic application and the second hydraulic application. A first valve member controls fluid flow through the passageway and allows fluid flow from the first to the second flow channel through the passageway when fluid pressure within the first flow channel exceeds a first threshold pressure. A second valve member controls fluid flow through the bypass port and allows fluid flow from the second flow channel to a return line through the bypass port when fluid pressure within the second flow channel exceeds a second threshold pressure.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a pump, first application, pressure-dump valve and second application arranged in series. The pressure-dump valve diverts a portion of the primary fluid flow past the second application when the pressure exceeds a threshold value. A valve member in the pressure-dump valve defines a pressure-reducing orifice that communicates fluid across the valve member. A check valve prevents flow through the pressure-reducing orifice when the pressure in the valve is below the threshold value. When the pressure exceeds the threshold value, fluid flows through check valve and the pressure reducing orifice resulting in the movement of the valve member and exposure of a bypass port thereby diverting a portion of the primary fluid flow past the second application. The check valve may be selectively variable to provide for the adjustment of the threshold value. A priority valve may also be provided upstream of the first application.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system with a pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. The fluid upstream of the first application may be elevated to a first threshold pressure value. A pressure-dump valve is disposed downstream of the first application and fluid entering the valve flows through an inlet port, primary flow channel and outlet port of the valve to the second hydraulic application. The valve includes a valve member that axially slides within an elongate valve chamber, partitioning the primary flow channel from a low pressure volume. The valve also includes a low pressure port and a bypass port that diverts fluid past the second application. The valve member is biased into a position wherein fluid is diverted through the bypass port when the pressure in the primary flow channel exceeds a second threshold value. The first threshold value is greater than the second threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a pump, flow-splitting valve, first application and second application arranged in series. The flow-splitting valve diverts a portion of the primary fluid flow to the second application when the pressure exceeds a threshold value. A valve member disposed in the flow-splitting valve defines a pressure-reducing orifice that communicates fluid across the valve member. A one-way relief valve prevents fluid flow through the pressure-reducing orifice when the pressure in the valve is below the threshold value. When the pressure exceeds the threshold value, fluid flows through relief valve and the pressure reducing orifice resulting in the movement of the valve member and exposure of a bypass port to thereby divert a portion of the primary fluid flow to the second application. The relief valve may be selectively variable to thereby provide for the adjustment of the threshold value.

Abstract: A power steering system for translating movement to a pair of wheels of a vehicle having an engine is disclosed. The system includes a steering assembly adapted for coupling engagement to the wheels for turning the wheels. The system includes a hydraulic pump having a pump input and a pump output and is coupled to the steering assembly and a planetary gear set. The system also includes a steering shaft operatively connected to the hydraulic pump for controlling a direction of the pump output and coupled to the steering assembly. The system further includes a variable-ratio drive mechanism having an electric motor and a controller. The electric motor is coupled to the planetary gear set and the controller communicates with the electric motor for controlling a rotational speed of the planetary gear set to maintain the pump output.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a pump, flow-splitting valve, first application and second application arranged in series. The flow-splitting valve diverts a portion of the primary fluid flow to the second application when the pressure exceeds a threshold value. A valve member disposed in the flow-splitting valve defines a pressure-reducing orifice that communicates fluid across the valve member. A one-way relief valve prevents fluid flow through the pressure-reducing orifice when the pressure in the valve is below the threshold value. When the pressure exceeds the threshold value, fluid flows through relief valve and the pressure reducing orifice resulting in the movement of the valve member and exposure of a bypass port to thereby divert a portion of the primary fluid flow to the second application. The relief valve may be selectively variable to thereby provide for the adjustment of the threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system with a pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. A valve is disposed whereby fluid from the pump flows through an inlet port, primary flow channel and outlet port of the valve to the first hydraulic application. The valve includes a body and a valve member that axially slides within an elongate valve chamber, partitioning the primary flow channel from a low pressure volume. The valve also includes a low pressure port and a bypass port. The bypass port is sealed from fluid communication with the valve chamber in a first position and is in fluid communication with the primary flow channel when the valve member is biased into a second position by a threshold exceeding elevated fluid pressure in the primary flow channel. Fluid discharged from the bypass port is diverted past the first application to the second application.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a pump, first application, pressure-dump valve and second application arranged in series. The pressure-dump valve diverts a portion of the primary fluid flow past the second application when the pressure exceeds a threshold value. A valve member in the pressure-dump valve defines a pressure-reducing orifice that communicates fluid across the valve member. A check valve prevents flow through the pressure-reducing orifice when the pressure in the valve is below the threshold value. When the pressure exceeds the threshold value, fluid flows through check valve and the pressure reducing orifice resulting in the movement of the valve member and exposure of a bypass port thereby diverting a portion of the primary fluid flow past the second application. The check valve may be selectively variable to provide for the adjustment of the threshold value. A priority valve may also be provided upstream of the first application.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system with a pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. The fluid upstream of the first application may be elevated to a first threshold pressure value. A pressure-dump valve is disposed downstream of the first application and fluid entering the valve flows through an inlet port, primary flow channel and outlet port of the valve to the second hydraulic application. The valve includes a valve member that axially slides within an elongate valve chamber, partitioning the primary flow channel from a low pressure volume. The valve also includes a low pressure port and a bypass port that diverts fluid past the second application. The valve member is biased into a position wherein fluid is diverted through the bypass port when the pressure in the primary flow channel exceeds a second threshold value. The first threshold value is greater than the second threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic application, a second hydraulic application and a hydraulic reservoir arranged in series. A check valve is positioned to allow the flow of fluid from a point between the second hydraulic application and the pump to a point upstream of the second hydraulic application when the fluid flow upstream of the second application has been significantly reduced. The first and second applications may be a hydraulic brake assist device and a steering gear assist device. The use of such a check valve may also be employed with a hydraulic system having a priority valve for diverting a portion of the fluid flow to the second application when the pressure upstream of the first application is elevated above a threshold value. The hydraulic system may also employ a pump that has a discharge rate that falls within a predefined range.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. A dual relief valve defines first and second flow channels, a passageway and a bypass port. The first flow channel is disposed between the hydraulic pump and the first hydraulic application and the second flow channel is disposed between the first hydraulic application and the second hydraulic application. A first valve member controls fluid flow through the passageway and allows fluid flow from the first to the second flow channel through the passageway when fluid pressure within the first flow channel exceeds a first threshold pressure. A second valve member controls fluid flow through the bypass port and allows fluid flow from the second flow channel to a return line through the bypass port when fluid pressure within the second flow channel exceeds a second threshold pressure.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump, an optional flow-splitting valve, a first hydraulic application, a pressure reducing valve and a second hydraulic application arranged in series along a primary flow path. When the pressure in the primary flow path between the pump and first application is elevated to a first threshold value, the flow-splitting valve, if present, splits the fluid discharged by the pump into a first fluid flow communicated to the primary flow path upstream of the first application and a second fluid flow communicated to the primary flow path between the first application and the pressure-reducing valve. The pressure reducing valve limits the maximum pressure of the fluid discharged therefrom to a second threshold value wherein the first threshold value is greater than the second threshold value. The first and second hydraulic applications may take the form of a brake booster and a steering gear, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicular hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic application and a second hydraulic application arranged in series. A relief valve is arranged parallel with the second application to allow fluid to bypass the second application when fluid pressure upstream of the second application exceeds a threshold value. The first and second applications may be a brake assist device and a steering gear assist device. The hydraulic system may also include a priority valve for diverting a portion of the fluid flow to the second application when the pressure upstream of the first application exceeds a threshold value. The threshold value for the first application may be greater than the threshold value for the second application. The hydraulic system may include a pump having a discharge rate that falls within a predefined range. A check valve may also be arranged parallel with the relief valve and second application.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir for a hydraulic power system includes a reservoir housing having an internal chamber for containing a supply of hydraulic fluid, an outlet for communicating the fluid from the housing to an inlet of a hydraulic pump, and a return flow inlet for receiving a return flow of fluid into the chamber. The reservoir includes a flow diffuser having a diffuser inlet communicating with the return flow inlet for receiving at least a fraction of the return flow into the diffuser. The diffuser has an inner fluid guide wall that is preferably conical which diverges in the downstream direction in order to quiet any turbulence in the flow within the diffuser and to discharge into the bulk of the fluid into the chamber to be deaerated.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir for a hydraulic power system includes a reservoir housing having an internal chamber for containing a supply of hydraulic fluid, an outlet for communicating the fluid from the housing to an inlet of a hydraulic pump, and a return flow inlet for receiving a return flow of fluid into the chamber. The reservoir includes a flow diffuser having a diffuser inlet communicating with the return flow inlet for receiving at least a fraction of the return flow into the diffuser. The diffuser has an inner fluid guide wall that is preferably conical which diverges in the downstream direction in order to quiet any turbulence in the flow within the diffuser and to discharge into the bulk of the fluid into the chamber to be deaerated.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a housing, a primary discharge outlet, an auxiliary discharge outlet, and a flow control valve for controlling fluid flow from the primary and auxiliary discharge outlets. A first fluid passageway within the housing passes fluid from a first discharge port to the primary discharge outlet, and a second fluid passageway within the housing passes fluid from a second discharge port to a common port of the flow control valve. In a first position, the valve directs fluid from the second discharge port to the primary discharge outlet. In a second position, the valve diverts fluid from the second discharge port to the auxiliary discharge outlet. The valve may be positioned in response to such operating conditions as excessive pressure differential between the high and low-pressure sides, excessive pump rate of rotation (RPM), or excessive rate of fluid flow, among others.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump comprises a housing, a primary discharge outlet, an auxiliary discharge outlet, a flow control valve, a first fluid passageway within the housing passing fluid from a first discharge port to the primary discharge outlet, a second fluid passageway within the housing passing fluid from a second discharge port to a common port of the flow control valve, a third fluid passageway within the housing passing fluid from a first switched port of the flow control valve to the auxiliary discharge outlet, and a fourth fluid passageway within the housing connecting a second switched port of the flow control valve to the primary discharge outlet. The primary discharge outlet and the auxiliary discharge outlet are each adapted for connection with external lines of a hydraulic system.