Abstract: A hydraulic fluid reservoir assembly is disclosed. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir housing defining a fluid chamber and a baffle member. The baffle member is disposed within the fluid chamber above the inlet and defines a central opening disposed radially inwardly of the reservoir housing. The central opening provides fluid communication between an inlet zone below the baffle and an upper zone above the baffle. The hydraulic fluid introduced through the inlet is directed to flow circumferentially along a radially outer section of the inlet zone whereby air entrained in the hydraulic fluid collects in a central portion of the inlet zone and is communicated to the upper zone thereby deaerating the fluid. A means for forming a substantially fluid tight seal between the reservoir housing and the baffle member is provided along an outer radial edge of the baffle member. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically assisted braking and steering system of a vehicle having a hydraulic pump communicating with a hydraulic steering assist device and including a hydraulic brake assist device coupled in series between the pump and the steering assist device includes the provision of a flow splitter which operates to reduce the interdependence of the hydraulic brake and steering assist devices on the flow of fluid from the pump. The flow splitter communicates with the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the brake assist device and is operative when the back pressure from the brake assist device exceeds a predetermined control value to divert a fraction of the flow of fluid around the brake assist device directly to the steering assist device, thereby providing sufficient flow to operate both the brake and steering assist devices within their normal design limits, rather than having the brake assist device starve the steering assist device when under heavy load.

Abstract: An improved hydraulically assisted braking and steering system of a vehicle having a hydraulic pump communicating with a hydraulic steering assist device and including a hydraulic brake assist device coupled in series between the pump and the steering assist device includes the provision of a flow splitter which operates to reduce the interdependence of the hydraulic brake and steering assist devices on the flow of fluid from the pump. The flow splitter communicates with the outlet of the pump and the inlet of the brake assist device and is operative when the back pressure from the brake assist device exceeds a predetermined control value to divert a fraction of the flow of fluid around the brake assist device directly to the steering assist device, thereby providing sufficient flow to operate both the brake and steering assist devices within their normal design limits, rather than having the brake assist device starve the steering assist device when under heavy load.

Abstract: A multi-vane hydraulic motor for accessory drive in which the vanes of a hydraulically balanced rotor are primarily urged into operative engagement with a surrounding cam by forces of the hydraulic fluid in undervane passage produced by an associated hydraulic pump to eliminate requirement for biasing springs and spring attachment of prior art motor. A high pressure chamber provided between the motor housing and a pressure plate mounted therein is hydraulically connected to the vane chambers of the rotor of the motor for the hydraulic drive thereof. An end cap closing the motor housing has the hydraulic input and output lines operatively connected thereto.

Abstract: A vane pump includes a cylindrical rotor rotatable inside of an oval-shaped rotor chamber defined by a cam ring around the rotor. A thrust plate and a pressure plate on opposite sides of the cam ring cover the rotor chamber and are squeezed together by a pressure force attributable to fluid in a discharge chamber of the vane pump at a discharge pressure thereof. A first thrust face of the thrust plate is pressed against an end wall of a cavity of a pump housing in which the components are installed. Fluid at the discharge pressure is ported to one or more balance chambers between the thrust plate and the end wall of the housing. The balance chambers are defined by a gasket received in a groove of the first thrust face.

Abstract: A multi-vane hydraulic motor for accessory drive in which the vanes of a hydraulically balanced rotor are primarily urged into operative engagement with a surrounding cam by forces of the hydraulic fluid in undervane passage produced by an associated hydraulic pump to eliminate requirement for biasing springs and spring attachment of prior art motor. A high pressure chamber provided between the motor housing and a pressure plate mounted therein is hydraulically connected to the vane chambers of the rotor of the motor for the hydraulic drive thereof. An end cap closing the motor housing has the hydraulic input and output lines operatively connected thereto.

Abstract: The pump has a multi-vane rotor operating within a cam ring to pump oil to a component such as a power steering gear. The pump rotor sandwiched between stationary thrust and pressure plates is supplied with oil from a surrounding fluid chamber through aligned intake ports in the two plates. Fluid chambers formed between the reciprocating vanes of the rotor discharges oil into axially aligned discharge ports of the thrust and pressure plates. The discharge port of the thrust plate is hydraulically connected to the discharge port of the pressure plate . Pressure oil in the discharge port of the pressure plate feeds into a system pressure chamber outboard of the pressure plate. Oil in the system pressure chamber is fed back to a first side chamber of the rotor through at least one simple flow passage in the pressure plate. The first side chamber is formed between inner and outer lands on the rotor.

Abstract: The pump has a multi-vane rotor operating within a cam ring to pump oil to a component such as a power steering gear. The pump rotor sandwiched between stationary thrust and pressure plates is supplied with oil from a surrounding fluid chamber through aligned intake ports in the two plates. Fluid chambers formed between the reciprocating vanes of the rotor discharges oil into axially aligned discharge ports of the thrust and pressure plates. The discharge port of the thrust plate is hydraulically connected to the discharge port of the pressure plate . Pressure oil in the discharge port of the pressure plate feeds into a system pressure chamber outboard of the pressure plate. Oil in the system pressure chamber is fed back to a first side chamber of the rotor through at least one simple flow passage in the pressure plate. The first side chamber is formed between inner and outer lands on the rotor.

Abstract: The fluid reservoir of a hydraulic system is fitted with a nozzle having a constricted primary discharge opening for directing an accelerated jet stream of hydraulic fluid returned to the reservoir from a pump back to an inlet of the pump. The jet stream aspirates additional fluid from the reservoir to boost the supply to the pump to minimize cavitation for quiet operation. The nozzle includes at least one bleed hole located upstream of the primary discharge opening through which a fraction of the fluid stream escapes into the reservoir and is permitted to dwell for a time sufficient to allow natural separation of entrained gas from the fractional stream before being drawn into the reservoir outlet by the jet stream.

Abstract: A vane pump includes a cylindrical rotor rotatable inside of an oval-shaped rotor chamber defined by a cam ring around the rotor. A thrust plate and a pressure plate on opposite sides of the cam ring cover the rotor chamber and are squeezed together by a pressure force attributable to fluid in a discharge chamber of the vane pump at a discharge pressure thereof. A first thrust face of the thrust plate is pressed against an end wall of a cavity of a pump housing in which the components are installed. Fluid at the discharge pressure is ported to one or more balance chambers between the thrust plate and the end wall of the housing. The balance chambers are defined by a gasket received in a groove of the first thrust face.