Abstract: A steering gear for an automotive vehicle includes a linear electric motor having a plunger linked to an axle set of roadwheels with a vehicle and a controller for operating the linear motor. The controller may include sensors for torque applied to a steering shaft attached to a steering handwheel operated for the driver and for also sensing vehicle speed. A controller and steering gear according to the present invention may be used with four-wheel steering systems in which no mechanical link is provided between the front steering gear and the rear steering gear.

Abstract: A steering system for the rear wheels of a vehicle with the steering gear including a motor drive for positioning the rear wheels and a control mechanism for operating the steering gear and including apparatus responsive to a sensed vehicular operating parameter for overriding the steering gear motor drive so as to prevent the steering gear from exceeding a predetermined fractional component of the angular range of steering authority.

Abstract: A steering gear and system for a vehicle having steerable roadwheels located on more than one axle includes a control module, a rotary motor responsive to signals from the control module for providing power for steering the roadwheels, and a nonreversible gearset powered by the motor for converting rotary motion of the motor into linear motion for steering the roadwheels, with the motor being capable of driving the gearset but with the gearset being incapable of driving the motor in response to force inputs from the roadwheels into the gearset.

Abstract: A system for continuously detecting the operational position of an automotive steering gear includes a first sensor element incorporated into a sliding member which is reciprocably mounted within the steering gear, with the sliding member being linked with the output members of the steering gear, and a second sensor element for detecting the position of the first sensor element and the sliding member as the steering gear is moved reciprocably, with the second sensor element incorporated into a bearing for supporting the sliding member.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle having steerable roadwheels on more than one axle includes a manually operable front steering gear for steering the front wheels of the vehicle, an electronically controlled second steering gear for steering the roadwheels of the vehicle on a second axle and a control system for operating the second steering gear, with the control system including paired steering position sensors within each of the steering gears.