Abstract: A steerable suspension system may include a steering knuckle and an actuator, the actuator having an effective piston area which varies in response to rotation of the steering knuckle. A method of stabilizing a steerable suspension system may include applying a first level of pressure, thereby applying a stabilizing force to a steering knuckle and permitting rotation of the steering knuckle, and applying a second level of pressure, thereby preventing rotation of the steering knuckle. Another steerable suspension system may include an axle, a tie rod arm, and a pressure operated actuator interconnected between the tie rod arm and the axle.

Abstract: A torque steer reduction system is disclosed. The system includes a damper. The damping effect of the damper is variable. Furthermore, the damping effect may be adjusted through a damping coefficient. High damping coefficients may correspond to stronger damping effects. During periods associated with a greater influence of torque steer, the damper may be configured with a high damping coefficient to counteract torque steer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a damping system for use with a mechanism such as a steering system wherein one element moves relative to another element. The system includes a variable volume chamber, a collection chamber, and an inertia track providing fluid communication between the two chambers. A fluid is disposed in the chambers and the inertia track. A compliant tuning member is in fluid communication with the variable volume chamber. The damping system is capable of attenuating vibration at chosen frequencies without adding undesired damping at other frequencies. In the preferred embodiment, the damping system is used to attenuate steering wheel torsional vibration without increasing low frequency damping that would deteriorate steering feel.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a motor vehicle including and axle interconnecting a pair of wheels, a pair of tie rods coupled to the wheels, and a cross bar having a piston mounted thereon interconnecting the rods. A steering damper may be integral with the cross bar such that the piston is housed within said steering damper, and the steering damper may be mounted to the axle.

Abstract: A steering damper includes a cylinder housing, a piston, a piston rod, and a valve member. The cylinder housing includes an inner surface and the inner surface defines an inner area. The piston is at least partially disposed within the inner area and is movably engaged with the inner surface of the cylinder housing. The piston and the inner surface of the cylinder housing cooperate to define a first chamber and a second chamber disposed upon opposite sides of the piston. The piston rod is attached to the piston. At least one of the piston and the piston rod at least partially defines a passageway extending between the first chamber and the second chamber. The valve member is associated with the passageway and is movable to adjust restriction of fluid flow through the passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber. A vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: Steering control apparatuses and methods for a vehicle are provided. A steering control apparatus can include a steering shaft drivingly linked to a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. A movable steering handle can also be provided and disposed about the steering shaft, with the steering handle being capable of selectively turning the pair of front wheels to direct the movement of the vehicle. A first and second brake clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging first and second drive wheels, respectively, can be provided. First and second brake clutch control levers can selectively control the first and second brake clutch mechanism, respectively, to engage and disengage the first and second drive wheels. The steering handle can include a coupling base.

Abstract: A steering linkage assembly adapted to steer a pair of wheels of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle steering linkage assembly comprising a first tie rod element having a first end operatively connected to a first wheel of the vehicle and a second end. A second tie rod element has a first end operatively connected to a second wheel of the vehicle and a second end. A tubular portion extends between the first and second tie rod elements, and has a first end that is operatively connected to the second end of the first tie rod element. A second end is operatively connected to the second end of the second tie rod element. The first end of the tubular portion defines a first end centerline and the second end of the tubular portion defines a second end centerline. The tubular portion includes a contoured section preferably adjacent to the tubular portion second end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a damping system for use with a mechanism such as a steering system wherein one element moves relative to another element. The system includes a variable volume chamber, a collection chamber, and an inertia track providing fluid communication between the two chambers. A fluid is disposed in the chambers and the inertia track. A compliant tuning member is in fluid communication with the variable volume chamber. The damping system is capable of attenuating vibration at chosen frequencies without adding undesired damping at other frequencies. In the preferred embodiment, the damping system is used to attenuate steering wheel torsional vibration without increasing low frequency damping that would deteriorate steering feel.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a motor vehicle including and axle interconnecting a pair of wheels, a pair of tie rods coupled to the wheels, and a cross bar having a piston mounted thereon interconnecting the rods. A steering damper may be integral with the cross bar such that the piston is housed within said steering damper, and the steering damper may be mounted to the axle.

Abstract: A steering control apparatus centers a vehicle steer wheel movable away from a selected center position and includes a rotary member having a face with centering detents, a piston member having a face arranged opposite to the rotary member face with a centering detent aligned with each rotary member detent when the rotary member is center. Bearing members are resiliently pressed between the rotary and piston members, and each is arranged to be in contact with a seat of each of the aligned detents when the steer wheel is centered and to move out of the seats when the rotary member rotates relative to the piston member in response to steering movements by the vehicle driver. Each of the detents includes opposing ramps sloped up from the seat to a track in the corresponding face, and the ramps and tracks may be formed as grooves having substantially the same radius as the bearing members.

Abstract: A magnetorheological fluid brake utilizing a positive displacement fluid pump adapted to pump a magnetorheological fluid through a viscosity regulator. The viscosity regulator is adapted to controllably vary the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid, altering the pumping restriction against the fluid pump, resulting in variable resistance to pump shaft rotation relative to the pump housing. An electronic steering system for a work vehicle utilizing the illustrated magnetorheological brake as a resistance device to provide tactile feedback as a function of steering shaft rotational position.

Abstract: The subject inventive steering damper assembly includes a rotor sleeve having open first and second ends and a drive plate disposed in the open second end. A core is co-axially disposed in the rotor sleeve closing the open first end of the rotor sleeve and defining a magnetic fluid chamber with the sleeve. A Magneto-Rheological fluid is disposed in the magnetic fluid chamber. The drive plate is flexible to provide manufacturing and operational tolerance, and is securely attached to the open second end of the rotor sleeve. Flexibility is derived from at least one aperture disposed in the drive plate. The aperture may be formed in a variety of shapes including elongated, round and oval shaped apertures.

Abstract: A steering linkage assembly (10) having a resistance assembly (30) for resisting turning movements of a steerable member (17), and a trim assembly (28) for remotely adjusting the length of a linkage (10) between the steerable member (17) and a frame member (12). A trim valve (52, 52′, 52,″ 301) is operable between closed and open positions for allowing a trim piston (36) to move from one locked position (C1) to another locked position (C2) to change the length of the linkage (10). A liquid pressurized by a gas pressure source (88) is provided to the resistance assembly (30) and to the trim assembly (28) by a single pressure accumulator assembly (275), or by a dual accumulator assembly (75, 175) providing liquid at a trim pressure and a resistance pressure. The stroke of the trim piston (36) is sufficient for the fluid systems (28, 30, 75, 175, 275) to remain pressurized at all times.

Abstract: A variable damper assembly 10 is provided for use with a vehicle power steering system and includes a variable orifice valve 20 which controls the flow of fluid between one chamber side 30 of the damper assembly to another chamber side 32 of the damper assembly. Variable orifice valve 20 is communicatively coupled to a source of pressurized fluid 110 by use of a conduit 112 and an electronically controlled valve assembly 114. The pressurized fluid received through conduit 112 controls the operation of valve 20. Based upon the pressure of the received fluid, valve 20 selectively increases and reduces the fluid flow rate between chamber sides 30 and 32, thereby causing the damper assembly 10 to have enhanced damping characteristics during certain vehicle operating conditions (e.g., during relatively high vehicle speed operating conditions).

Abstract: A passive steering assembly for a guided vehicle movable along a guideway includes a vehicle including at least one axle structure; a pivot joint at each end of the axle structure; a wheel mounting pivotably engaged with each pivot joint; a hub for rotatably mounting a wheel to each wheel mounting; a wheel connected to each hub for moving the vehicle; and a lateral guide device for controlling the lateral position of the axle structure for steering the wheels to follow the path of the guideway and to a passive steering system including a plurality of such assemblies.

Abstract: A vehicle steering compensator for resisting off-center movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle and returning them to a selected center position after each such off-center movement. The compensator includes a centering unit for providing resisting and returning forces, and a trimming unit for varying the center position. The resistance unit includes a linkage extending between the steering system and a fixed vehicle member and the trimming unit has a trim piston movable relative to a trim cylinder to vary the center position by changing the length of the linkage. Dual trim valves are opened in response to extension of an air piston so that liquid flows between trim chambers on opposite side of the trim piston while the trim piston moves to a new center position. Closure of the trim valves in response to retraction of the air piston then locks the trim piston in its new center position. The resisting and returning forces may also be varied remotely, and may have the same or different values.