Patents Assigned to TRW Automative U.S. LLC
  • Patent number: 7617906
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels (12, 14) of a vehicle in response to turning of a steering wheel (18) of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hydraulic power steering gear, which does not include a rotary valve responsive to a steering input generated by turning of a steering wheel (18). The hydraulic steering gear includes a first chamber (96) for holding hydraulic fluid and a second chamber (98) for holding hydraulic fluid. An increase in fluid pressure in one chamber acts to turn the steerable wheels (12, 14) of the vehicle in one direction and an increase in fluid pressure in the other chamber acts to turn the steerable wheels (12, 14) in a direction opposite the one direction. The apparatus (10) includes a variable flow mechanism (50) for supplying a flow of hydraulic fluid to the first and second chambers (96, 98), which flow varies in dependence upon at least one sensed vehicle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automative U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Williams