Abstract: A method for purchasing natural stone includes the steps of choosing a stone, measuring pieces of an environment in which the stone is to be placed, laying out measurements of pieces of the environment upon a slab of the stone, virtually cutting pieces of the slab according to the measurements in a first way, and, recreating the environment with the virtually cut pieces of the slab.

Abstract: An assisted steering system is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system has driver and assist pinions that are out of phase with each other. As a tooth of the driver pinion is fully engaged with a rack tooth, a tooth of the assist pinion is only partially engaged with a tooth of the rack. Preferably, the driver and assist pinions have differing rack speeds and numbers of teeth.

Abstract: An assisted steering system is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system has driver and assist pinions that are out of phase with each other. As a tooth of the driver pinion is fully engaged with a rack tooth, a tooth of the assist pinion is only partially engaged with a tooth of the rack. Preferably, the driver and assist pinions have differing rack speeds and numbers of teeth.

Abstract: The present invention involves a purge device for a steering gear assembly of a vehicle. The steering gear assembly includes a steering piston chamber having a piston moveably housed therein and having a hydraulic assist port formed on the steering piston chamber. The device comprises a purge channel in fluid communication with the hydraulic assist port and housed in the steering piston chamber. The purge channel extends to a channel opening positioned at a first portion in the chamber to purge trapped air from the chamber during operation of the steering gear assembly.

Abstract: An electric power assist steering system includes an electric motor coupled to a steering mechanism via a roller gear mechanism. The roller gear mechanism transfers power from an electric motor output shaft to a roller pinion gear for a rack and pinion steering mechanism. In an embodiment, a roller pinion gear for use in a power assist steering system comprises a roller wheel having a plurality of radially projecting teeth about its periphery, wherein the teeth comprise pins rotatably mounted in and projecting from the periphery of the roller wheel. The present invention increases the efficiency of power assist steering systems and of vehicles utilizing same.

Abstract: An integrated, i.e unitary, rotary hydraulic vane pump assembly reduces cost and simplifies manufacturing thereof. The integrated assembly includes an electric motor, a rotary vane pump, a pump housing and an end bell. The end bell has an inlet fitting or passageway which communicates with the inlet of the rotary vane pump. The pump housing receives the vane pump and is received within the end bell. The electric motor is secured to the face of the pump housing opposite the end bell. The pump housing includes outlet passageways and a centrally disposed axial opening for receiving an output shaft of the electric motor. The rotary vane pump includes end sections and a center, cam ring section which receives a vane rotor assembly coupled to the output shaft.

Abstract: An integrated, i.e. unitary, rotary hydraulic vane pump assembly reduces cost and simplifies manufacturing thereof. The integrated assembly includes an electric motor, a rotary vane pump, a pump housing and an end bell. The end bell has an inlet fitting or passageway which communicates with the inlet of the rotary vane pump. The pump housing receives the vane pump and is received within the end bell. The electric motor is secured to the face of the pump housing opposite the end bell. The pump housing includes outlet passageways and a centrally disposed axial opening for receiving an output shaft of the electric motor. The rotary vane pump includes end sections and a center, cam ring section which receives a vane rotor assembly coupled to the output shaft.

Abstract: The present invention involves a purge device for a steering gear assembly of a vehicle. The steering gear assembly includes a steering piston chamber having a piston moveably housed therein and having a hydraulic assist port formed on the steering piston chamber. The device comprises a purge channel in fluid communication with the hydraulic assist port and housed in the steering piston chamber. The purge channel extends to a channel opening positioned at a first portion in the chamber to purge trapped air from the chamber during operation of the steering gear assembly.

Abstract: A power steering system 10 is provided including a rack 14 and at least one yoke element 16 supporting the rack 14. At least one roller element 18 is positioned between the rack 14 and the yoke element 16 to reduce frictional losses as the rack 14 moves over the yoke 16.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump [10] for use in a power steering system includes a power steering fluid chamber [24] for receiving power steering fluid from a fluid source. The power steering fluid chamber [24] is in fluid communication with a fluid passageway [26] which transfers fluid to a pressure wave attenuator [46] for receiving power steering fluid from the power steering fluid chamber [24] such that fluid borne noise in the power steering system is minimized.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump [14] for an electro-hydraulic power steering system is positioned in a fluid reservoir [16] in a pump housing [12]. The pump [14] has an upstream end [40] that receives fluid from a fluid source and a downstream end [42] that is in communication with fluid expelled from the pump [14]. The pump housing [12] has an integral dampening chamber [36] formed therein adjacent the downstream portion [42] of the pump [14]. The dampening chamber [36] helps minimize pressure pulsations before the fluid is passed through an outlet opening [18] in the housing [12] to a steering gear.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump [14] for an electro-hydraulic power steering system is positioned in a fluid reservoir [16] in a pump housing [12]. The pump [14] has an upstream end [40] that receives fluid from a fluid source and a downstream end [42] that is in communication with fluid expelled from the pump [14]. The pump housing [12] has an integral dampening chamber [36] formed therein adjacent the downstream portion [42] of the pump [14]. The dampening chamber [36] helps minimize pressure pulsations before the fluid is passed through an outlet opening [18] in the housing [12] to a steering gear.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump [10] for use in a power steering system includes a power steering fluid chamber [26] for receiving power steering fluid from a fluid source. The power steering fluid chamber [26] is in fluid communication with a first fluid conduit [40] and a second fluid conduit [46] each of which has different lengths. A pressure valve attenuator [52] has two ports, one in communication with the first fluid conduit [40] and one in communication with the second fluid conduit [46] for receiving power steering fluid from the power steering fluid chamber [28] such that fluid borne noise in the power steering system is minimized.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic gear pump power pack [10], including a gear pump [12] and a motor [16], are secured together to form a single assembly. The gear pump [12] has a gear drive [14] that is in rotational communication with a drive shaft [18] extending from the motor [16]. An insert coupling device [20] is constructed of a plastic material and is slip fit onto the drive shaft [18] to dampen vibrations and fluctuations between the shafts [14, 18] and thereby minimize fluid borne noise in the pump [12].

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic gear pump power pack (10), including a hydraulic pump disposed in a pump reservoir (12) and an electric motor disposed in a motor housing (14), are secured together to form a single assembly. The pump reservoir (12) and the motor housing (14) are secured together by a pair of mounting brackets (18) that also serve to attach the power pack (10) to a vehicle structure (20).