Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a rotatable shaft that is rotatable relative to the vehicle to effect turning movement of the steerable vehicle wheels. A ball nut assembly is connected with an externally threaded portion of the rotatable shaft. The ball nut assembly moves axially relative to the rotatable shaft upon rotation of the rotatable shaft relative to the ball nut assembly. A steering member is connected to the ball nut assembly and at least one steerable vehicle wheel. The steering member moves with the ball nut assembly relative to the shaft. An electrical motor is connected with the rotatable shaft. The motor is operable to effect rotation of the rotatable shaft relative to the ball nut assembly to turn the steerable vehicle wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16) includes a hydraulic power steering motor (12). A pump (26) is connected in fluid communication with the hydraulic power steering motor (12) by a supply conduit (30). A continuously variable transmission (50) is connected with the engine (52) of the vehicle and with the pump (26). The continuously variable transmission (50) is operable under the influence of force transmitted from the engine (52) to drive the pump at a first speed when the flow of fluid from the pump (26) is at a first level. The continuously variable transmission (50) drives the pump (26) at a second speed different than the first speed when the flow of fluid from the pump is at a second level different than the first level.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a first pump driven by an engine of the vehicle to supply fluid under pressure to a power steering motor assembly through a supply conduit. A second pump driven by the engine of the vehicle supplies fluid under pressure to the power steering motor assembly when the flow of fluid in the supply conduit is below a predetermined value. The second pump is inactive when the flow of fluid in the supply conduit is above the predetermined value. The second pump has vanes located in slits. A valve which is in fluid communication with the slits has a first condition in which fluid under pressure is supplied to the slits. The valve has a second condition in which the slits are in fluid communication with a reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a first pump driven by an engine of the vehicle to supply fluid under pressure to a power steering motor assembly through a supply conduit. A second pump driven by the engine of the vehicle supplies fluid under pressure to the power steering motor assembly when the flow of fluid in the supply conduit is below a predetermined value. The second pump is inactive when the flow of fluid in the supply conduit is above the predetermined value. The second pump has vanes located in slits. A valve which is in fluid communication with the slits has a first condition in which fluid under pressure is supplied to the slits. The valve has a second condition in which the slits are in fluid communication with a reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels (14, 16) includes a hydraulic power steering motor (12). A pump (26) is connected in fluid communication with the hydraulic power steering motor (12) by a supply conduit (30). A continuously variable transmission (50) is connected with the engine (52) of the vehicle and with the pump (26). The continuously variable transmission (50) is operable under the influence of force transmitted from the engine (52) to drive the pump at a first speed when the flow of fluid from the pump (26) is at a first level. The continuously variable transmission (50) drives the pump (26) at a second speed different than the first speed when the flow of fluid from the pump is at a second level different than the first level.

Abstract: A right-hand drive vehicle steering system (10) that may be factory built or converted from a left-hand drive steering system or vice versa. The method of conversion begins with the removal of the left-hand drive steering components. A left-hand drive designed steering gear is engaged to an adapter bracket (50). The adapter bracket allows the orientation of the left-hand drive designed steering gear to remain the same in a right-hand drive installation as when installed in the left-hand drive. As a result, the pitman arm (18) that directs the wheel direction of steering and is outboard of the steering gear for left-hand drive applications, is inboard of the steering gear for right-hand drive applications. The adapter bracket allows displacement of the steering column and associated steering equipment to further outboard in the right-hand drive system relative to the outboard position in left-hand drive applications.

Abstract: A pump assembly (20) includes a rotor (40) and a stator (38) which are disposed within a housing (24) and partially define pumping chambers (56). Fluid is conducted through an inlet passage (104) to an inlet cavity (58) which is connected with the pumping chambers (56). Fluid is conducted from the pumping chambers (56) to an outlet (62) from the pump assembly (20). A tubular passage liner (112) is disposed in the inlet passage (104) and has a straight passage (138) through which fluid flow is conducted to the inlet cavity (58). The tubular passage liner (112) prevents erosion of the housing (24) during conduction through the inlet passage (104) of inlet fluid and fluid bypassed from the outlet (62) of the pump assembly (20). Projections (204 and 206) at one end of the tubular passage liner (112) are engageable with the stator (38) to limit movement of the tubular passage liner relative to the stator.

Abstract: A pump assembly (20) includes a rotor (40) and a stator (38) which are disposed within a housing (24) and partially define pumping chambers (56). Fluid is conducted through an inlet passage (104) to an inlet cavity (58) which is connected with the pumping chambers (56). Fluid is conducted from the pumping chambers (56) to an outlet (62) from the pump assembly (20). A tubular passage liner (112) is disposed in the inlet passage (104) and has a straight passage (138) through which fluid flow is conducted to the inlet cavity (58). The tubular passage liner (112) prevents erosion of the housing (24) during conduction through the inlet passage (104) of inlet fluid and fluid bypassed from the outlet (62) of the pump assembly (20). Projections (204 and 206) at one end of the tubular passage liner (112) are engageable with the stator (38) to limit movement of the tubular passage liner relative to the stator.

Abstract: An improved rotary device (20), such as a fluid pump or motor, includes a housing (24) which encloses a working unit (22). The working unit (22) includes a cam ring (38) which cooperates with a rotor (40) and a plurality of vanes (42) to form a plurality of variable volume working chambers. The housing (24) includes a main section (26) and a cover section (28). The main section (26) of the housing (24) has three separate risers (122, 124 and 126). Any one of the three risers (122, 124 or 126) may be connected with a fluid conduit (116). The main and cover sections (26 and 28) of the housing (24) are movable relative to each other to enable the rotary device (20) to be mounted in a selected one of a plurality of orientations on a support structure.

Abstract: A pump or motor device (22) includes a housing (24) which encloses a rotor (30) disposed within a cam ring (46). A bottom or wear end plate (100) and a top or pressure end plate (156) cooperate with the cam ring (46) and vanes (42) connected with the rotor (30) to form working chambers. The rotary device (22) may be assembled for either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. When the rotary device (22) is to be assembled for clockwise rotation, a first set of end plates (100 and 156) is used. When the rotary device (22) is to be assembled for counterclockwise rotation, a second set of end plates (130 and 204) is used. The second set of end plates (130 and 204) includes end plates which are mirror images of the corresponding end plates (100 and 156) in the first set of end plates.

Abstract: An apparatus provides hydraulic fluid for power steering assistance for steering a vehicle. A valve controls flow of hydraulic fluid from a first, engine driven, pump and a second, wheel driven, pump. The valve includes a valve housing and a valve member. The valve member is movable relative to the valve housing in response to a pressure differential in the hydraulic fluid from the first pump. The valve member in one range of relative positions provides a first flow passage from the first pump toward a steering valve, provides a variable second flow passage from the first pump toward the steering valve, and blocks hydraulic fluid flow from the second pump toward the steering valve. The first and second flow passages are in fluid parallel. The valve member in a control position provide a third flow passage from the second pump to the steering valve.

Abstract: A vehicle is operable in either one of two modes to control the turning of steerable vehicle wheels. During operation of the vehicle in a manual steering mode, the steerable vehicle wheels are turned in response to rotation of a steering wheel. During operation of the vehicle in an automatic steering mode, the steerable vehicle wheels are turned to maintain a predetermined relationship between the vehicle and a reference during movement of the vehicle relative to the reference. Upon initiation of operation of the vehicle in either of the two steering modes, a valve assembly is operated from an initial condition to either one of two actuated conditions to effect turning movement of the steerable vehicle wheels toward either the left or the right. During the manual steering mode, the valve assembly is operated in response to rotation of the vehicle steering wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the magnitude of changes in a vertical force transmitted to a tractor from a trailer through a fifth wheel hitch. The changes in vertical force are caused by the trailer reacting as an inertial mass as the trailer is moved over uneven pavement during pulling of the trailer by the tractor. The apparatus includes a sensor for providing a signal. The signal is indicative of the vertical force transmitted from the trailer through the fifth wheel hitch. An actuator is disposed between the fifth wheel hitch and the tractor. The actuator applies a vertical force to the fifth wheel hitch and the tractor. A control device operates the actuator for varying the amount of vertical force applied to the fifth wheel hitch by the actuator. The operation of the actuator is responsive to the signal indicative of the vertical force transmitted from the trailer through the fifth wheel hitch.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling at least two driven wheels of a vehicle. The apparatus includes two hydraulic motors, each motor drivably connected to an associated drive wheel. A load sense piston pump provides a source of pressurized fluid for operating the hydraulic motors. Associated with each hydraulic motor is an electrically controllable load sense flow control valve assembly, an electrically controllable directional control valve, and a set of counterbalance valves. A microcomputer controls operation of the electrically controllable load sense flow control valve assemblies and the electrically controllable directional control valves in response to electrical signals indicative of rotary position of a steering wheel, position of an operator controlled speed and direction input device, and the speed of the vehicle engine. Steering ratio can be selected by the operator. Vehicle speed is controlled so as to prevent pump cavitation and engine stalling.