Abstract: A bushing for use in a hollow tube housing of a rack and pinion steering system. The bushing is formed as a generally cylindrical body having a central aperture and a circular cantilevered flange that extends outward from the body of the bushing. The flange contains a leading surface for compression contact with a corresponding interfering surface on the hollow interior of the rack housing. The flange is disposed to continuously compress a portion of its leading surface against a portion of the interfering surface on the hollow interior of the housing over a predetermined range of temperatures when the bushing is installed in the housing, and thereby providing thermal compensation to maintain a seal.

Abstract: A bushing for use in a hollow tube housing of a rack and pinion steering system. The bushing is formed as a generally cylindrical body having a central aperture and a circular cantilevered flange that extends outward from the body of the bushing. The flange contains a leading surface for compression contact with a corresponding interfering surface on the hollow interior of the rack housing. The flange is disposed to continuously compress a portion of its leading surface against a portion of the interfering surface on the hollow interior of the housing over a predetermined range of temperatures when the bushing is installed in the housing, and thereby providing thermal compensation to maintain a seal.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering system including a rack slidably supported within a housing that engages in a pinion gear wherein the housing includes a cylindrical sleeve having an outer seal surface with a slight medial taper at one end thereof. A yoke assembly, which is received by the cylindrical sleeve, operates to guide the rack and maintain engagement of the rack and pinion during operation of the steering system and includes a yoke member engaging the rack. A retainer member holds a yoke plug, used in the yoke assembly, in position and has a compliant annular seal member having an inner sealing surface that has a complementary slight outward extending taper to provide a self-sealing interface with the medial taper of the outer seal surface of the cylindrical sleeve to protect the internal components of the steering system from water and other contaminants.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering system including a rack slidably supported within a housing that engages in a pinion gear wherein the housing includes a cylindrical sleeve having an outer seal surface with a slight medial taper at one end thereof. A yoke assembly, which is received by the cylindrical sleeve, operates to guide the rack and maintain engagement of the rack and pinion during operation of the steering system and includes a yoke member engaging the rack. A retainer member holds a yoke plug, used in the yoke assembly, in position and has a compliant annular seal member having an inner sealing surface that has a complementary slight outward extending taper to provide a self-sealing interface with the medial taper of the outer seal surface of the cylindrical sleeve to protect the internal components of the steering system from water and other contaminants.

Abstract: A torque sensing device includes a housing, an input shaft, and a pinion shaft. A torsion bar interconnects and allows rotation of the shafts relative to one another. The shafts are supported to allow axial movement within the housing. A plurality of magnets are spaced radially about the input shaft, and a stator assembly mounted to the pinion shaft extend axially over the magnets. A pair of flux rings is supported by the housing and extend annularly around the stator assembly at a radial distance from the stator assembly. Each one of a pair of flux brushes is magnetically proximal to one of the flux rings. The flux brushes are spaced apart from one another by a gap. A pair of sensors within the gap measures the direction and magnitude of a magnetic flux passing between the flux brushes.

Abstract: A torque sensing device includes a housing, an input shaft, and a pinion shaft. A torsion bar interconnects and allows rotation of the shafts relative to one another. The shafts are supported to allow axial movement within the housing. A plurality of magnets are spaced radially about the input shaft, and a stator assembly mounted to the pinion shaft extend axially over the magnets. A pair of flux rings is supported by the housing and extend annularly around the stator assembly at a radial distance from the stator assembly. Each one of a pair of flux brushes is magnetically proximal to one of the flux rings. The flux brushes are spaced apart from one another by a gap. A pair of sensors within the gap measures the direction and magnitude of a magnetic flux passing between the flux brushes.