Abstract: A machine for grinding longitudinal troughs in the edges of grooves of a power steering valve input-shaft (4), the input-shaft being supported for rotation on supports (14, 15), a grinding wheel (30) having a contoured periphery corresponding in cross-section to the cross-section of the trough (5), the grinding wheel being relatively movable towards the input-shaft to some predetermined depth of engagement therewith and to be retracted therefrom and being movable axially relative to the input-shaft to form a longitudinal trough (5) to produce oblique terminations of the trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and recording the angular position of the edges of axially extending grooves disposed on an inside cylindrical bore surface or outside cylindrical surface of a workpiece is characterized in that the apparatus includes a shoe, pressed into intimate contact with the surface over a zone of the shoe. The zone incorporates an orifice, extending away from the zone of intimate contact to a plenum chamber, to which fluid is supplied. Relative rotation between the workpiece and the shoe is produced. A measuring device measures the degree of restriction to flow of fluid from the orifice as the edges traverse the orifice during relative rotation. An angular positional measurement device measures relative rotation, such that relative angular positions of the workpiece are recorded at each relative rotational position corresponding to a predetermined degree of restriction of the orifice as successive edges of the grooves traverse the orifice.

Abstract: A machine for grinding the metering edge contours on edges of axially extending grooves of a power steering valve input-shaft by means of a cylindrical grinding wheel, the machine being constructed to hold and rotate the input-shaft and to increase and decrease cyclically the distance between the axis of the input-shaft and the grinding wheel several times during the revolution of the input-shaft to grind metering edge contours to produce symmetrical sets of clockwise and anticlockwise metering edge contours. The input-shaft is centrelessly supported by means of surfaces tangentially contacting the outside diameter of the input-shaft. Two such surfaces are axially displaced on either side of the ends of the grooves in the input-shaft and are arranged one on each side of the grinding wheel on that side of the input shaft adjacent the grinding wheel.

Abstract: A scanning induction hardening process in which a steel workpiece is surface hardened by progressively traversing its length with an inductor coil energized by an alternating electric current and immediately thereafter quenching the heated portion of the workpiece characterized in that straightening of bends in the workpiece being surface hardened is controlled during the induction hardening process by monitoring the straightness of the workpiece and utilizing information thereby obtained to control the heating and quenching of the workpiece in such a manner that a layer of hardened material of greater thickness is formed on the concave side of any bend in the workpiece such as to produce a straightening moment acting to remove the bend.

Abstract: Apparatus for machining an angularly disposed array of slots (FIG. 7) concentric with the axis (85) of a bore of a valve sleeve (1) which has a sleeve holder (3) which is rotatably indexed for locating the arcuate position of each slot of the array, a cutting tool (5) positioned on the apparatus to cut a slot in the bore of the sleeve at each indexed location and a boring device (80, 81, 82, 83, 90) for forming the bore co-axially with the array of slots; the operation of the cutting tool (5) and boring device (80, 81, 82, 83, 90) taking place while the sleeve (1) is mounted in the one orientatioln in the holder (3).

Abstract: A mechanical function generating mechanism for a front and rear wheel steered vehicle is operable to generate a rear steer angle output as a function of front steer angle and vehicle speed inputs. The mechanism has a three dimensional cam with a cam surface and a contacting follower. The cam surface is traversed relative to the follower in a first direction in accordance with the front steer angle input and is traversed relative to the follower in a second direction substantially at right angles to the first direction according to the vehicle speed input. The follower is constrained to move in a third direction, determined by the shape of the cam surface, substantially normal to the first and second directions to generate the rear steer angle output.

Abstract: A machine for machining blind-ended slots longitudinally disposed within the bore of a sleeve (1) held in a chuck (4) in a work holding spindle (5) indexable about a rotational axis, a reciprocable cutting tool (2) mounted on a cutting spindle (12) the axis of which is offset from and at right angles to the rotational axis of the work holding spindle (5) in which the cutting tool (2) executes a succession of progressively deeper cutting and subsequent return strokes so that a number of blind-ended slots are machined in the sleeve (1) characterized in the provision of a slidable support (6) for the work holding spindle (5) to slide the work holding spindle (5) axially relative to the cutting spindle (12) a distance such that the cutting tool is radially and axially clear of the bore when all slots are machined, cutting strokes of the cutter being discontinued.

Abstract: A front and rear wheel steering system for a vehicle has a front steer system (23, 25) and a rear steer system (21, 22) with a rear steer controller (12) functioning to set the rear steer angle in dependence upon front steer angle and vehicle speed. A low load capacity feedback device (14) functions to maintain a predetermined relationship between front and rear wheel steer angles with an overload protector (74, 77, 78) protecting the feedback device (14) from damage due to the application of loads above a predetermined level.

Abstract: A machine for grinding the outer metering edge contours (26) on the edges of the axially extending grooves (18) of a power steering gear input-shaft (10) in which a substantially cylindrical grinding wheel (40) whose working surface is dressed parallel to the axis of the input-shaft (10) effects the grinding, the distance between the input-shaft (10) and the grinding wheel (40) being cyclically increased and decreased several times during each revolution of the input-shaft (10) in such a manner that each outer metering edge contour (26) so ground has a form which is a mirror image of the form of at least one other outer metering edge contour (26) around the outside periphery of the input-shaft (10), characterized in that the angular velocity of the input-shaft (10) is varied cyclically in a manner co-ordinated with the cyclic increase and decrease of the distance between the input-shaft (10) and the grinding wheel (40) thereby substantially reducing the peak rate of stock removal per unit time compared with t

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an array of elongate slots in the bore of a valve sleeve (1) where the slots are cut in the bore by an arcuately movable cutting tool (5) mounted on the apparatus and the movement of the cutting tool (5) to form the length and depth of each slot is under the control of a desmodromic cam (12, 13) and a variable offset between the pivotal axis (8) of the cutting tool (95) and the pivotal axis (10) of the followers (15, 16) contacting the cam (12, 13).

Abstract: A core for a rotary valve for a power steering system having in its periphery a plurality of blind ended longitudinally extending slots separated by lands for use in a sleeve member having in its bore a similar array of longitudinally extending blind ended slots matching those of the valve core but in an underlap relationship thereto, the slots of one being wider than the lands of the other so defining a set of longitudinally extending orifices which open and close when relative rotation in either direction from a neutral position occurs between the valve core and the sleeve in which at least two sets of valve core edges have along a substantial portion of their length a contour which extends substantially parallel to the core axis characterised in that the contour comprises in section a continuous curve wherein, at points near the high operating pressure zone thereof, it has a large radius of curvature and lies substantially parallel to the valve core periphery and wherein at a point along the curve approach

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering rotary valve of generally conventional construction characterized in that the on-center characteristics of the valve are governed by an arrangement of rolling elements and notched elements arranged to produce a detent action between the input shaft and the sleeve or driven member, the rolling elements rolling between opposite surface contours of a pair of opposed notched elements, the contours each including a convex surface the shape of which is such that a centering torque between the input shaft and the sleeve or driven member is produced which decreases for increasing amounts of rotation away from a neutral condition of the rotary valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering rotary valve of generally conventional construction characterized in that the on-center characteristics of the valve are governed by an arrangement of rolling elements and pairs of notched elements arranged to produce a detent action between the input shaft and the sleeve or driven member. One notched element of each pair is fixed to a carrier which is connected to the sleeve or driven member by a securing device. During assembly, the carrier is free to move under the influence of springs acting on the notched elements and thereby take up a position such that after completion of assembly the notched elements and rolling elements are precisely in the correct position to provide the required detent action.

Abstract: A rotary valve (1) for hydraulic power steering of vehicles with arcuate slots (9,10) in the sleeve (2) and slots (11) in input-shaft (3) of the valve (1) where some of the slots (10) in the sleeve (2) are formed to provide hydraulic fluid return ports (13) axially of the valve (1) between the sleeve (2) and the input-shaft (3) while the axial extent of adjacent sleeve slots (10) and input-shaft slots (11) is the same at their ends remote from the return ports (13).

Abstract: A scanning induction hardening process in which a steel workpiece is surface hardened by progressively traversing its length with an inductor coil energized by an alternating electric current and immediately thereafter quenching the heated portion of the workpiece straightening of bends in the workpiece being surfaced hardened being controlled during the induction hardening process by monitoring the straightness of the workpiece and utilizing information thereby obtained to control the heating and quenching of the workpiece is such a manner that a layer of hardened material of greater thickness is formed on the concave side of any bend in the workpiece such as to produce a straightening moment acting to remove the bend characterized in that the inductor coil is shaped to heat only a portion of the circumference of the work piece, or shaped to concentrate more heat in one portion of the circumference, and the speed of rotation of the work piece is varied to allow the concave side of the work piece to remain in

Abstract: An indexing and transporting mechanism having a plurality of work-holding spindles spaced around a carousel, the carousel being journaled on a machine frame provided with work-performing stations and being indexable to carry the spindles sequentially from station to station, the work-holding spindles being arranged to be indexed through one complete revolution at some stations and not at others by a work-holding spindle orienting and indexing mechanism which consists of a track carried by the machine frame concentric with the carousel journals, projections extending from the work-holding spindles which engage the track to prevent rotation of the work-holding spindles relative to the carousel over part of a revolution of the carousel, the track being interrupted at the stations where indexing occurs, each interrupted portion of the track being mounted on indexable spindles carried by the machine frame, each interrupted portion of the track being arranged to be indexed through one complete revolution while the

Abstract: A rotary valve for an internal combustion engine having a hollow cylindrical rotor having along its bore an inclined integral baffle with ports on either side of the baffle arranged to be brought into communication with a window as the hollow cylindrical rotor rotates, the rotor being supported by means of rollers supported in grooves formed in the surface of the rotor and bearing on the inside surface of a bore of the cylinder head. Seals are provided around the window, the seals consisting of sealing strips arranged in longitudinal grooves formed in the bore of the cylinder head and circumferential rings accommodated in annular grooves within the bore of the cylinder head, the longitudinal strips abutting in surface contact at each end of the surface of one of the circumferential rings.

Abstract: A rotary hydraulic valve to control the hydraulic pressure in power steering gears for automotive vehicles, comprising:an input-shaft;a coaxially arranged driven member;a torsion bar drivingly connecting input-shaft and driven member, interengaging means connecting input-shaft and driven member arranged for limited lost motion between input-shaft and driven member;an axially movable sleeve surrounding input-shaft;an intermediate member carried between sleeve and driven member to provide a slack-free driving connection between sleeve and driven member;the intermediate member being in the form of a thin arcuately shaped member having arms extending partially around and embracing the driven member and outwardly and inwardly extending lugs respectively engaging and fitting closely within slots formed in the sleeve and the driven member, the lug fitting within the slot in the sleeve being constructed and arranged to permit axial movement of the sleeve.

Abstract: A die for forming a Y-form rack portion of a steering rack bar from a blank by forging in which the die has at least three forming elements (44, 47, 48) relatively movable on application of forging pressure to the die to converge on a blank therein, a first of the forming elements (44) having in its cavities the shape of which corresponds to the shapes of the teeth to be formed, second and third forming elements (47, 48) having forming faces to form longitudinal guide faces (4, 5) on the Y-form rack portion on the side thereof opposite the teeth (8). The three forming elements (44, 47, 48) are shaped and arranged to move together to converge on the blank to transform it into the final form in such a manner as to inhibit escape of the material of the blank between the first and second or first and third forming elements up to substantially the last instant of closure of the die.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a master rack which in turn is employed in the manufacturing of forging dies to form nonuniform tooth configuartion, which includes an EDM machine having upper and lower platens and mechanism for raising and lowering the upper platen, rack blank support mechanism arranged for longitudinal movement in the rack blank axis and mounted on the lower platen, an electrode in the form of a facsimile of a helical pinion rotatably mounted in bracket attached to the upper platen, mechanism for rotating the electrode intermittently, mechanism causing axial movement of the rack blank past the electrode in accordance with the rotational movement of the electrode, a cam coordinating the position of the electrode in relation to the axis of the rack blank, and a cam follower attached to the bracket and contacting the last-named cam.