Abstract: A power steering system steering gear includes a piston indirectly coupled to a steering linkage and moved by a steering wheel and fluid pressure on opposite ends of the piston. A fluid bore extends between the opposite ends of the piston. An end of travel relief system includes poppet valves at opposite ends of the bore. Each valve includes a sleeve having an inboard end within the bore and an outboard end extending outward therefrom and defines a valve seat between the ends. A valve stem within the sleeve has an inboard end defining a poppet configured for engagement with the valve seat and an outboard end defining a stem. A reset body can be inserted into the bore between the valves. Depending on the direction of movement of the piston, the body engages the inboard end of a corresponding valve to establish a reset position of the valve.

Abstract: An improved power steering assembly is provided. The power steering assembly includes an end-of-travel mechanism and a valve cartridge that is actuated by left and right actuator rings of the end-of-travel mechanism, the actuator rings extending partially around an output shaft. The actuator rings can be individually set for the desired end-of-travel relief to limit the maximum system pressure when the steering assembly approaches the desired axle stop setting. The valve cartridge provides an end-of-travel function and a pressure relief function and is in fluid communication with the left and right pressure chambers to recirculate hydraulic fluid in the event of a power off condition.

Abstract: In a power steering system employing an end of travel system including valve actuating rings disposed about a Pitman arm shaft, a device is provided for setting the positions of the rings on the shaft. The device includes a fixed member positioned about, and fixed against movement along, a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the shaft's rotational axis and a movable member that moves along the longitudinal axis relative to the fixed member. The movable member defines a pin at one end configured for engagement with the circumferential ends of the actuating rings. A positioning force applied to one of the members causes the movable member to move between set and reset positions in which the pin engages corresponding ends of the actuating rings during rotation of the shaft and a running position in which the pin remains disengaged from the ends of the actuating ring during rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved steering shaft assembly is provided. The steering shaft assembly further includes an output shaft that is rotatable with respect to the input shaft. The output shaft includes a rotary valve portion and a longitudinal portion. The steering shaft assembly further includes a torsion bar coupled to the input shaft and coupled to the output shaft distal from the input shaft. The steering shaft assembly further includes a mid-coupler extending around about the longitudinal portion of the output shaft and adapted to cooperate with the rotary valve portion of the output shaft. The steering shaft assembly further includes a screw mechanism extending about the longitudinal portion of the output shaft and adapted to cooperate with the mid-coupler. The screw mechanism is adapted to move laterally relative to the output shaft to maintain transfer of power from between output shaft and the screw mechanism despite misalignments therebetween.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a mounting bracket (100), a steering column (200), a plurality of friction plates (300), a plurality of inner spacers (501), and a locking mechanism (400). The friction plates (300) are fixed to the steering column (200) and attached to a side of the mounting bracket (100). The friction plates (300) are movable with respect to the mounting bracket (100). The inner spacers (502) are interleaved with the plurality of friction plates (300). Each inner spacer (502) has a scored outer surface (540). The locking mechanism (400) is operable to press the inner spacers (501) and friction plates (300) together to lock the steering column (200) with respect to the mounting bracket (100).

Abstract: In a power steering system employing an end of travel system including valve actuating rings disposed about a Pitman arm shaft, a device is provided for setting the positions of the rings on the shaft. The device includes a fixed member positioned about, and fixed against movement along, a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the shaft's rotational axis and a movable member that moves along the longitudinal axis relative to the fixed member. The movable member defines a pin at one end configured for engagement with the circumferential ends of the actuating rings. A positioning force applied to one of the members causes the movable member to move between set and reset positions in which the pin engages corresponding ends of the actuating rings during rotation of the shaft and a running position in which the pin remains disengaged from the ends of the actuating ring during rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A plunger assembly for a power steering system comprises a plunger and a tappet. The plunger is disposed within and longitudinally movable along a plunger passageway in a housing of the power steering system. The tappet is disposed within and longitudinally movable along a port defined by the housing. The port is disposed at an angle with respect to the plunger passageway within the housing. The port communicates with the plunger passageway and an area exterior of the power steering system. A power steering system and method of setting the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a mounting bracket (100), a steering column (200), a plurality of friction plates (300), a plurality of inner spacers (501), and a locking mechanism (400). The friction plates (300) are fixed to the steering column (200) and attached to a side of the mounting bracket (100). The friction plates (300) are movable with respect to the mounting bracket (100). The inner spacers (502) are interleaved with the plurality of friction plates (300). Each inner spacer (502) has a scored outer surface (540). The locking mechanism (400) is operable to press the inner spacers (501) and friction plates (300) together to lock the steering column (200) with respect to the mounting bracket (100).

Abstract: An improved steering shaft assembly is provided. The steering shaft assembly further includes an output shaft that is rotatable with respect to the input shaft. The output shaft includes a rotary valve portion and a longitudinal portion. The steering shaft assembly further includes a torsion bar coupled to the input shaft and coupled to the output shaft distal from the input shaft. The steering shaft assembly further includes a mid-coupler extending around about the longitudinal portion of the output shaft and adapted to cooperate with the rotary valve portion of the output shaft. The steering shaft assembly further includes a screw mechanism extending about the longitudinal portion of the output shaft and adapted to cooperate with the mid-coupler. The screw mechanism is adapted to move laterally relative to the output shaft to maintain transfer of power from between output shaft and the screw mechanism despite misalignments therebetween.

Abstract: An improved power steering assembly is provided. The power steering assembly includes an end-of-travel mechanism and a valve cartridge that is actuated by left and right actuator rings of the end-of-travel mechanism, the actuator rings extending partially around an output shaft. The actuator rings can be individually set for the desired end-of-travel relief to limit the maximum system pressure when the steering assembly approaches the desired axle stop setting. The valve cartridge provides an end-of-travel function and a pressure relief function and is in fluid communication with the left and right pressure chambers to recirculate hydraulic fluid in the event of a power off condition.

Abstract: A plunger assembly for a power steering system comprises a plunger and a tappet. The plunger is disposed within and longitudinally movable along a plunger passageway in a housing of the power steering system. The tappet is disposed within and longitudinally movable along a port defined by the housing. The port is disposed at an angle with respect to the plunger passageway within the housing. The port communicates with the plunger passageway and an area exterior of the power steering system. A power steering system and method of setting the same are also disclosed.