Abstract: A rack piston of a hydraulic steering assembly divides a hollow portion of a housing into an upper cylinder above the rack piston and a lower cylinder below the rack piston. The rack piston defines a rack cavity. An auto-bleeder bi-directional flow valve disposed in the rack piston allows for the flow of air and hydraulic fluid in and out of the rack cavity. The bi-directional flow valve defines a flow path through the rack piston between the rack cavity and the upper cylinder. When a differential pressure between the upper cylinder and the lower cylinder is greater than a threshold, the steel ball blocks the flow path by compressing a first spring or a second spring. Alternatively, the first spring and the second spring hold the steel ball in a neutral position to allow for the flow of air and hydraulic fluid in and out of the rack cavity.

Abstract: An electric powered steering assembly includes a housing with a cylindrical portion, an interior wall of the cylindrical portion defining a first and second grooves extending in an axial direction, the first and second grooves having inwardly tapered walls. A ball screw is disposed in the housing, extending in the axial direction, and defining a through hole extending in a radial direction having a first and second ends. A ball nut is disposed in the housing surrounding the ball screw and configured to rotate relative to the housing. A first anti-rotational pin is disposed in the first end of the through hole, a second anti-rotational pin is situated in the second end of the through hole, and a spring is disposed between the anti-rotational pins. The spring is configured to bias the first and second anti-rotational pins in a radially outward direction towards the first and the second groves respectively.

Abstract: An electric powered steering assembly for a commercial vehicle includes a housing. An interior wall of a cylindrical portion of the housing defines a groove that extends in an axial direction, the groove having inwardly tapered walls. A ball screw is disposed in the housing and defines a hole extending in a radial direction. A ball nut disposed in the housing, surrounding the ball screw, rotates relative to the housing. An anti-rotational pin having a tapered end is disposed in the hole, the tapered end having tapered surfaces corresponding to the inwardly tapered walls. A bearing material is disposed on tapered surfaces of the tapered end. A spring is disposed in the hole and biases the anti-rotational pin in a radially outward direction towards the groove so that the tapered end of the anti-rotational pin engages the groove and restricts rotation of the ball screw relative to the housing.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes a housing. An interior wall of a cylindrical portion of the housing defines a groove that extends in an axial direction and having inwardly tapered walls. A ball screw disposed in the housing defines a hole in a radial direction. An anti-rotational pin having a tapered end is disposed in the hole, the tapered end corresponding to the inwardly tapered walls. A spring disposed in the hole biases the anti-rotational pin so that the tapered end of the anti-rotational pin engages the groove and restricts rotation of the ball screw. A support bushing disposed between the ball screw and the housing is fixedly coupled to the ball screw and defines a through hole between the groove and the hole of the ball screw, the through hole receives the anti-rotational pin. The support bushing absorbs radial loads exerted on the ball screw and supports the anti-rotational pin.

Abstract: An electric powered steering assembly includes a housing with a cylindrical portion extending in an axial direction, an interior wall of the cylindrical portion defines a groove and extends in the axial direction, and the groove has at least two inwardly tapered walls. A ball screw is disposed in the housing and defines a hole extending in a radial direction. A ball nut disposed in the housing, surrounding the ball screw, is configured to rotate relative to the housing. An anti-rotational pin has a tapered end disposed in the hole, the tapered end having tapered surfaces corresponding to the at least two inwardly tapered walls. A spring is disposed in the hole and biases the anti-rotational pin in a radially outward direction towards the groove so that the tapered end of the anti-rotational pin engages the groove and thereby restricts rotation of the ball screw relative to the housing.

Abstract: An electric powered steering assembly comprises a housing with a cylindrical portion, an interior wall of the cylindrical portion defining a first and second grooves extending in an axial direction, the first and second grooves having inwardly tapered walls. A ball screw is disposed in the housing, extending in the axial direction, and defining a through hole extending in a radial direction having a first and second ends. A ball nut is disposed in the housing surrounding the ball screw and configured to rotate relative to the housing. A first anti-rotational pin is disposed in the first end of the through hole, a second anti-rotational pin is situated in the second end of the through hole, and a spring is disposed between the anti-rotational pins. The spring is configured to bias the first and second anti-rotational pins in a radially outward direction towards the first and the second groves respectively.

Abstract: A steering system is provided. The steering system includes a housing and a ball shaft translatable relative to the housing. A ball nut is rotatably mounted within the housing. Rotation of the ball nut responsively causes the ball shaft to translate relative to the ball nut and the housing. The ball shaft has an opening extending therethrough. A pin is separate from the ball shaft and inserted into the opening. The pin engages the housing to limit rotation of the ball shaft relative to the housing.