Abstract: A power steering pump includes, an intake flow channel defined by a first surface; a chamber into which fluid is received; and a plate disposed between the first surface and the chamber. An opening having opposed terminal ends extends through the plate. The intake flow channel is in fluid communication with the chamber through the plate opening and is configured to direct fluid flow through the plate opening into the chamber at a location intermediate and spaced from the terminal ends. The intake flow channel is defined by a bottom surface and a sloped surface extending from the bottom surface toward the plate. The flow channel has a transition zone through which the bottom surface and the sloped surface are joined. The transition zone is located at a position along the intake flow channel at which it and one of the plate opening terminal ends are approximately superposed.

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 pump having a plate disposed between a first surface and an intake chamber, wherein an intake flow channel defined by the first surface is in fluid communication with the intake chamber through an opening extending through the plate, the plate opening having opposed terminal ends. The intake flow channel defined by the first surface is configured to direct fluid flow through the plate opening into the intake chamber at a location through the plate opening that is intermediate and spaced from the two terminal ends of the plate opening. Also, a power steering pump having a plate disposed between a first surface and a pair of intake chambers, wherein a pair of intake flow channels defined by the first surface are in fluid communication with the intake chambers through a corresponding pair of openings extending through the plate.

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 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, 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, 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 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 hydraulic flow return system of a transmission pump in which primary and bypass flows of hydraulic fluid are returned to primary and bypass flow channels, respectively, of a booster nozzle situated adjacent the rotating group at the inlet of the pump for delivery a boosted flow of high pressure fluid to the pump as a result of the incoming bypass flow being passed through a flow restrictor before being recombined with the primary flow, the system is improved by incorporating a bypass valve which senses the back pressure in the incoming bypass flow and operates to open an auxiliary bypass channel in the event that the back pressure exceeds a predetermined control value in order to divert a fraction of the bypass flow around the flow restrictor for delivery to the pump until such time as the back pressure falls below the control value.

Abstract: Any hydraulic flow return system of a transmission pump in which primary and bypass flows of hydraulic fluid are returned to primary and bypass flow channels, respectively, of a booster nozzle situated adjacent the rotating group at the inlet of the pump for delivery a boosted flow of high pressure fluid to the pump is a result of the incoming bypass flow being passed through a flow restrictor before being recombined with the primary flow, the system is improved by incorporating a bypass valve which senses the back pressure in the incoming bypass flow and operates to open an auxiliary bypass channel in the event that the back pressure exceeds a predetermined control value in order to divert a fraction of the bypass flow around the flow restrictor for delivery to the pump until such time as the back pressure falls below the control value.