Abstract: An accumulator includes an accumulator housing defining a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a hollow chamber. The accumulator also includes a piston slidably disposed within the hollow chamber and adapted to displace between the first and second ends. The piston divides the hollow chamber into a gaseous chamber proximate to the first end of the accumulator housing and a hydraulic chamber proximate to the second end of the accumulator housing. Further, the piston defines a first side surface in communication with the gaseous chamber and a second side surface spaced apart from the first side surface. The second side surface is in communication with the hydraulic chamber. A cavity of the piston is in communication with the second side surface and extends from the second side surface towards the first side surface. The cavity is in fluid communication with the hydraulic chamber.

Abstract: A steering control system includes a steering circuit, a primary control circuit and a redundant control circuit. The primary control circuit includes primary proportional control valves, and a primary pilot valve having a thermal bleed of pilot fluid to warm the primary pilot valve when not operating to control the steering circuit. The redundant control circuit includes secondary proportional control valves, and a pressure reducing valve having a thermal bleed orifice allowing fluid flow to warm the pressure reducing valve when not operating to control the steering circuit. The thermal bleeds may also flow past the proportional control valves to raise their temperatures. The circuits of the steering control system are contained in a single valve group housing.

Abstract: A steering system and method for providing a force feedback to an operator input device are disclosed. The method may determine an actual position of the operator input device. The method may determine a desired steering mechanism position of a steering mechanism based on the actual position of the operator input device. The method may determine an actual steering mechanism position of the steering mechanism. The method may compare the actual steering mechanism position to the desired steering mechanism position and to a previous desired steering mechanism position. The method may generate a command that selectively activates force feedback to the operator input device based on the comparison.

Abstract: A steering control system includes a steering circuit, a primary control circuit and a redundant control circuit. The primary control circuit includes primary proportional control valves, and a primary pilot valve having a thermal bleed of pilot fluid to warm the primary pilot valve when not operating to control the steering circuit. The redundant control circuit includes secondary proportional control valves, and a pressure reducing valve having a thermal bleed orifice allowing fluid flow to warm the pressure reducing valve when not operating to control the steering circuit. The thermal bleeds may also flow past the proportional control valves to raise their temperatures. The circuits of the steering control system are contained in a single valve group housing.

Abstract: A steering system and method for providing a force feedback to an operator input device are disclosed. The method may determine an actual position of the operator input device. The method may determine a desired steering mechanism position of a steering mechanism based on the actual position of the operator input device. The method may determine an actual steering mechanism position of the steering mechanism. The method may compare the actual steering mechanism position to the desired steering mechanism position and to a previous desired steering mechanism position. The method may generate a command that selectively activates force feedback to the operator input device based on the comparison.