Abstract: A log handling device is provided capable of picking up logs to be thrust end first into wood stoves or sideways into fireplaces. The invention contemplates optionally usable members wherein the basic device has spaced prongs on a carrier bar to handle logs for placing endwise into wood stoves. A transversely attachable device has spaced prongs to handle logs for feeding broadside into fireplaces. While the two combinations of elements could be permanently secured, versatility is effected by ready assembly or disassembly, depending upon the needs of users having a wood stove or a fireplace, or both. Thus, a person having only a wood stove need purchase only the basic device. A further embodiment has a permanent assembly convertible by a change in relative orientation of certain elements for feeding wood stoves or fireplaces. The same pair of spaced prongs for either function is utilized.

Abstract: A flow control valve for a power steering system of the kind having a metering pump is provided with a leaf spring device stressed upon rotation of a hand steering wheel to operate a valve sleeve and the metering pump. The spring device provides a force for returning the valve sleeve to neutral position after a steering operation and comprises curved or arched springs between pressure plates. The convex sides are back-to-back between pressure plates and have curved ends supported on and shaped to slide on the pressure plates with minimum friction as the springs are compressed. The pressure plates are uniquely shaped in the central areas for providing flexibility to compensate for manufacturing inaccuracies.

Abstract: Fluid reaction chambers are continuously pressurized by fluid supplied through fixed flow restrictors to develop equal resistances to displacement of a steering control valve in opposite directions. The reactive resistances developed by two reaction chambers are separately regulated in directional response to displacement of the control valve by discharge of fluid from at least one of the reaction chambers at a flow rate that varies as a function of vehicle speed.

Abstract: A valve is intermittently actuated under control of speed dependent signals to influence operation of an auxiliary power steering system. Digital speed signals from a sensor are processed in a microprocessor storing steering function data for transmission by an interfacing stage to an electromagnetic actuator for the valve.

Abstract: An oil reservoir for a hydraulic steering system is provided with a venting means comprising a sequence of passages from an inner protective pipe movably guided with concentric spacing on a bolt fixed to an oil reservoir housing. The concentric spacing is part of the venting passage wherein venting passes through a groove on the bolt into a venting cap. The venting cap is threadedly carried on a threaded section of the bolt through which the groove passes and effects a portion of the venting passage means. A nut carried by the venting cap effects threaded coaction and may itself have a venting groove. The protective pipe is biased into sealing engagement with the lid by a compression spring. A special construction permits ease of lid removal in conjunction with oil level indicator means.

Abstract: The piston and cylinder of a hydraulic power booster are provided with opposed longitudinal grooves effecting a pocket for a series of rollers axially aligned and on an axis parallel to that of the piston-cylinder axis. A leaf spring in the piston groove maintains a radial bias on the rollers towards the cylinder groove. The rollers effect a sliding guide or key between the piston and cylinder to prevent rotation or twisting of the piston in the cylinder.

Abstract: A pair of fluid reaction chambers at opposite ends of a valve piston of a steering control valve are connected in series with a vehicle speed dependent control mechanism by fixed flow restrictors between the servo pump and reservoir of a servo power steering system. Check valves unidirectionally limit pressurization of the reaction chambers through which feedback forces are generated in response to displacement of the control valve.

Abstract: An auxiliary fluid power steering device having a servomotor (8) and a control valve (13) in a common steering gear housing (1). In order to relieve the control valve of axial pressure forces, the valve body (14) of the control valve has four surfaces (24, 25, 26, 27) of equal area respectively exposed exclusively to fluid in the inlet port (22), in the outlet port (23), in one of the servomotor pressure chambers (9) adjacent the control valve and in the other pressure chamber (10) of the servomotor.

Abstract: A signal for a conventionally constructed mail box is provided having a distinctive visual effect wherein coaction between a stationary and movable member shows a totally black field indicating no mail received, but shows a series of distinct white bars when a mechanism is automatically operated upon opening the door of the mail box to insert mail. The construction is substantially enclosed and very compact to be attached by a consumer on the back wall of a mail box with a signal control mechanism within the mail box extending from the back wall to the hinged door of the mail box. The invention is readily attachable to existing mail boxes with simple tools and sheet metal screws.

Abstract: A control ring in sliding contact with the radially outer ends of fluid displacing vanes on a pump rotor, is angularly adjustable about a pivot formation in a pump housing on one radial side of the rotor opposite a limited sealing surface on the housing having a center of curvature on the rotor axis. A sealing element pivotally mounted on the control ring is biased into wiping contact with the sealing surface to divide the pump housing into inlet and outlet pressure chambers.

Abstract: At least two radial piston pumps having a common eccentric rotatable within an eccentric chamber of the pump housing supply pressurized fluid to separate fluid circuits. The eccentric chamber is divided into separate fluid delivery compartments to which fluid is conducted from a common suction port by the pumps through passages that dampen the transfer of pressure fluctuations between the fluid circuits.

Abstract: A simplified construction of a comparator is provided in an automatic steering system utilizing dual chambers separated by a membrane, e.g., a diaphragm or bellows. Each side of the membrane operates a respective valve which valves are normally open but can control flow to a hydraulic cylinder for steering or centering the wheel of an agricultural vehicle. Fluid flows through the chambers which connect to exhaust through variable throttle valves. Sensors, i.e., feelers, follow rows of plants and when the feelers are deflected they operate respective throttle valves which cause a buildup of pressure in a respective chamber. Such differential pressure between the chambers flexes the membrane in a direction to operate the valves within the chambers. Operation of such valves effects directional pressurizing of a hydraulic motor to steer the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A power steering system has a servomotor flow control valve with means for automatically returning the vehicle to straight ahead position by hydraulic power. This is accomplished in a construction utilizing a piston valve linked by a cam mechanism to movement of a servomotor piston in such manner that, responsive to movement of the servomotor piston, and upon return of the piston valve to a neutral position a brief overtravel beyond neutral position occurs which reversely pressurizes the servomotor to straighten the wheel direction after a turn.

Abstract: A booster steering servomotor having a piston is pressurized and exhausted by a valve having a rotary valve plug within a valve sleeve and coacting flow control grooves wherein means for centering the rotary valve plug and steering mechanism of the vehicle wheels is effected by hydraulic power after a steering operation. Accordingly, little or no resort to axle geometry is required for such purpose thereby saving the energy normally utilized in the steering operation. Such energy expenditure has been necessary to put wheel restoring force in the axle geometry, e.g., due to inclination of king pins. In essence, the components effect rotation of the rotary valve plug during steering return in a direction to pressurize the servomotor pressure chamber which has been previously non-pressurized to bring the steering linkages back to straight ahead steering.

Abstract: A booster steering device comprising a combined servomotor and rotary valve control is provided with means for returning the vehicle wheels to a straight ahead position after a steering operation wherein the hydraulic power of the servomotor is utilized for such return movement. The effect is achieved by a cam means actuated by manual steering force to add neutral return energy by twist of a torque rod over and beyond the stress necessary to return the control valve components to a neutral position. It has been found that such overstress results in an overtravel in relative motion of the flow control valve members in returning to neutral position, i.e., overtravel beyond neutral position, briefly. This occurs upon release of a steering force at the hand wheel. As a result of such overtravel, pressure flow to the servomotor is reversed from the direction in which it was going during the terminated steering operation and the servomotor powers the vehicle wheels to stright ahead position.

Abstract: In a sliding vane type of rotary pump usable for power steering systems a seal of hour glass shape is provided between the flow directing plate, on the outlet side of the vane rotor and the outlet pressure chamber, to confine exposure of the high pressure of the outlet chamber to the downstream side of the plate within a predetermined area only partially balanced by exposure of the upstream side to such high pressure and to also isolate suction passages from the outlet chamber pressure. The result is a flexing of the flow directing plate at the center toward the pump rotor to reduce rotary clearance and permit the use of thinner and lighter weight flow directing plates.

Abstract: One or more pressure regulators limit the operating pressure of fluid supplied to a fluid pressure operated device from a common pump and control the level of the operating pressure through pilot valves connected to the regulators. Each fluid operated device is connected by its regulator to a common fluid reservoir when flow is blocked in the pump pressure and suction lines to limit the operating pressure while minimizing pump drive energy loss.

Abstract: A thrust piece having a cylindrical, thin-walled portion is associated with the rack biasing device of a rack and pinion steering gear. The thin-walled portion is slotted and urged into contact with the gear housing by a spreader element to dampen movement of the biasing device which is slidably supported in the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a pair of exhaust gas separation stages comprised in a gas separating vortex tube having an exhaust gas operated turbine impeller or rotor with stator wheels. The system combination also includes a mixing chamber for heavier and lighter combustible gas components subsequent to separation, wherein such components are directed to the top surface of a water charge in the mixing chamber, and further includes a pair of chemical separation chamber downstream of the mixing chamber containing specified chemicals wherein the mixing chamber removes substantial parts of formaldehyde and nitrous oxides while the chemical chambers remove acetaldehyde and higher aldehyde components. Finally, the gas mixture from the chemical separation chamber passes through a water scrubber to remove traces of chemicals which may be used to keep traces of chemicals in the chemical chamber from reaching the engine.

Abstract: Maximum angular displacement between the rotatable valve elements of a steering control valve is governed solely by the circular pitch of the piston gear associated with the metering gear pump in a hydrostatic fluid power steering system. A pair of fluid collecting manifolds in the control valve respectively communicate with the expanding and contracting pockets in the gear pump to form part of the flow paths between the gear pump and the fluid power steering motor.