Patents by Inventor Armin Lang
Armin Lang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 4462478Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1982Date of Patent: July 31, 1984Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4456087Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1982Date of Patent: June 26, 1984Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventors: Armin Lang, Walter Cerny
-
Patent number: 4438679Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1982Date of Patent: March 27, 1984Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AGInventors: Armin Lang, Helmut Knodler
-
Patent number: 4438827Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1982Date of Patent: March 27, 1984Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AGInventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4428449Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1981Date of Patent: January 31, 1984Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4413472Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1980Date of Patent: November 8, 1983Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4390158Abstract: A solenoid operated valve is provided particularly constructed to decrease friction in the course of operation and thus of the hysteresis or actuating lag effect. The general construction utilizes a solenoid acting to maintain closure of a valve by pulling on an armature to which is integrally secured a valve operating element having a valve head at one end and which passes through the core on which the solenoid is mounted. The armature has a piston formation extending into a pressure chamber of the housing. Pressure in the outlet of the valve communicates with the pressure chamber to maintain a net closing effect on the valve. Accordingly, pressures at the valve are prevented from acting against the energized solenoid.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1980Date of Patent: June 28, 1983Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4385493Abstract: Pump pressure in a fluid power assisted steering device is regulated through the suction side of the pump to supply pressurized fluid to a servomotor through a fluid pressure actuated steering control valve. A pre-control valve controls pressure in an actuating chamber of the steering control valve in response to displacement of the hand steering wheel to obtain a variation in servomotor pressure that is a linear function of the force applied to the steering wheel up to a cut-out point, above which the servomotor pressure rises sharply to a maximum value.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1980Date of Patent: May 31, 1983Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AGInventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4383587Abstract: A power steering arrangement has a booster pressure cylinder shiftable on a piston fixed to the vehicle frame with steering rods connecting from the cylinder to the vehicle wheels. Valve means operable by a manually operated steering wheel pressurizes and exhausts the cylinder chambers at the ends of the piston. The valve means is carried in the piston for compactness and is actuated by a rack reciprocated by a pinion rotated in response to rotation of the manual steering wheel. The arrangement provides the advantage of compact assembly and rugged construction coupled with a minimum of oil leakage from the pressure cylinder. Inasmuch as the piston rod is fixed and has flow passages connecting to pump and tank, attachment of conduits for pressure and exhaust may be readily made. There are no moving conduit parts and tight sealing is achieved. The arrangement effects a desirable geometry of the steering mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1981Date of Patent: May 17, 1983Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AGInventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4354555Abstract: An improvement in apparatus for lifting an agricultural implement carried by a tractor provides for automatic rapid level adjustment of the implement relative to the terrain under control of a valve system which comprises a regulator valve controlling inlet flow to the pump responsive to a comparator valve carried by the implement. A continuous throtted flow from the regulating valve to the comparator valve is maintained at constant pressure tending to open a valve in the comparator while a sensor or feeler contacting the ground serves to effect a greater or lesser opposing force. A servo valve is provided which effects a back pressure acting together with feeler actuation. An equilibrium position of the valve determines the level to which the implement is changed, holding it constant on level ground until the feeler is actuated by encountering a rise or fall in the terrain. The construction provides for varying the elevation of an implement by either raising it or lowering it to meet rise or fall of terrain.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1980Date of Patent: October 19, 1982Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4344284Abstract: A control valve for a hydraulic booster steering system provides gradual control of inlet flow to the system pump to complete cut off of output, or by throttling of inlet flow to effect a pilot stream through the pressure pump. This occurs in the neutral position of the control valve during straight ahead steering. Where flow through the pump intake feed means is thus impeded, the pump simply cavitates in a known manner and to be of a type which is suction regulated, having a check valve means at the pressure outlet side. The advantage of cutting off inlet flow to the pump during straight ahead steering, or at least throttling of such inlet flow by a constantly open throttle passage, is to save energy otherwise wasted in heating the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1980Date of Patent: August 17, 1982Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4331211Abstract: The manual force transmitted by a hand steering wheel to a fluid power steering mechanism is opposed by a reaction pressure that varies with the manual force at a proportionality factor of the operating pressure in the steering servomotor. The proportionality factor determining the reaction pressure is changeable under control of a reaction adjusting device.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1979Date of Patent: May 25, 1982Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, A.G.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4325286Abstract: A pair of inlet valves held closed in the neutral position of a valve actuator are opened under control of a valve operating force transmitted through a regulating spring in response to displacement of the valve actuator from the neutral position. The valve operating force applied is opposed by the pressure in a servomotor chamber to regulate the chamber pressure within a predetermined range above a limiting value of the valve operating force applied. Outlet valves are opened under a servomotor operating pressure higher than the pressure regulated by the inlet valves to control exhaust of fluid from the operating chambers.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1979Date of Patent: April 20, 1982Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4313467Abstract: A piston valve construction effects leakage reduction in a control valve for hydraulic steering systems by reducing the wetted circumference of a portion of a piston valve collar with the use of radial recesses therein diverting a portion of flow therefrom to a groove of the piston valve which effects smoothing of turbulence of flow from said recesses followed by flow from said groove through a throttling gap to effect a laminar flow.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1980Date of Patent: February 2, 1982Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4304316Abstract: For use in an agricultural machine which is automatically steered by sensing along a row of plants, a component of the automatic steering system, namely, a comparator system is disclosed herein which utilizes hydraulic signals from independent sensors and mechanically compares such signals with each other and with a mechanical feedback responsive to the degree of angularity of the steered wheels of the vehicle. The net result of the combination and construction of the comparator system is to provide automatic steering control for a small variation of steering of left and right steering courses, for example 2 to 5 degrees, wherein any large amount of deflection of the steering wheels that may be caused by the vehicle operator taking over the steering function will not affect the automatic operation of the comparator mechanism nor will the comparator mechanism have any response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1978Date of Patent: December 8, 1981Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, AGInventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4219093Abstract: A fluid power assisted vehicle steering system which is switched between manual and automatic control by an operational mode selector, and switched from automatic to manual control without the intervention of the mode selector by an override action in response to operation of the manual steering control. Once switched to manual control, the steering system remains in the manual control mode of operation until switched by the mode selector to automatic control. Automatic control is also prevented until various safety conditions are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1978Date of Patent: August 26, 1980Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4193471Abstract: A power steering multi-way control valve is provided featuring means for effecting hydraulic blocking of a power cylinder so that the wheels of the vehicle will remain in the neutral or steered angle position even though the driver removes his hands from the steering wheel in order to operate other accessories. This is necessary for heavy work vehicles in the construction industry or other vehicles used in open terrain.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1978Date of Patent: March 18, 1980Assignee: Patentburo Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG.Inventor: Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4189982Abstract: A feed pressure bypass valve means and actuator means primarily for a single acting servomotor, is provided having a unitary housing construction and an assembly of opposed springs wherein one spring biases a bypass valve to closed position and the other spring is compressed by the servometer piston to act in the opposite direction. The bypass valve is mounted externally of the servomotor as a separate and integral unit and has for its purposes to ensure maintaining a drop in feed pressure as the piston nears the end of its stroke. The provision of the spring compressed by the piston toward the end of the stroke ensures the opening and maintenance of opening of the bypass valve. There can be no instability of steering operation by virtue of the bypass valve closing and the striking of the servomotor cylinder wall by the piston is precluded.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1977Date of Patent: February 26, 1980Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Armin Lang, Rolf Fassbender
-
Patent number: 4189983Abstract: An arrangement in the dropping of pressure in either chamber of a double acting booster steering servomotor is provided, such pressure drop starting at a predetermined point toward the end of travel of the servomotor piston in either direction. The invention is characterized by a respective bypass valve in each chamber, spring biased to closed position, and engageable by the piston, to be opened gradually. The piston force is exerted on the bypass valves through a respective spring so as to effect the gradual opening instead of the abrupt opening effected in the prior art. Opening of the bypass valves effects connections which shunt the servopump output to the system oil tank via a differential pressure valve as taught in Lang U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,763 to prevent strong mechanical stresses on the steering linkages at the ends of steering movement. Shunt control takes place through desirably small flow lines and bypass valves which heretofore have been found to produce undesirably abrupt operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1977Date of Patent: February 26, 1980Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Rolf Fassbender, Armin Lang
-
Patent number: 4073140Abstract: A valve device having a pressure operable valve piston, particularly for booster steering system, to selectively control pressure flow to a consumer device such as a hydraulic servomotor in order to permit use of a reserve pump in event of failure of a main pump. The valve in a neutral position combines the output of both pumps but is responsive to a first increase in the flow rate beyond a predetermined limit to shunt flow from the reserve pump to a sump. Upon further increase in the flow rate the valve piston moves to a position to also shunt part of the output from the main pump to a sump. Signal means is actuated by movement of the valve piston to apprise a vehicle driver that the steering system is operative.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1976Date of Patent: February 14, 1978Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Armin Lang, Rolf Fassbender