Abstract: A damper valve (70) located between a control valve (18) and a power steering motor (22) in a hydraulic power-assisted steering system (10). The damper valve (70) comprises a housing (72) having axially opposite first and second end portions (76 and 78) and an intermediate portion (80) interposed between the first and second end portions (76 and 78). The first end portion (76) is for fluid communication with the control valve (18) and the second end portion (78) is for fluid communication with the power steering motor (22). A flow restricting element (114) is located within the housing (72) and is movable through portions of the housing (72) including the intermediate portion (80) by fluid flow through the housing (72). The damper valve (70) further includes a biasing element (106) for restraining movement of the flow restricting element (114) toward the first end portion (76) of the housing (72).

Abstract: A damper valve (70) located between a control valve (18) and a power steering motor (22) in a hydraulic power-assisted steering system (10). The damper valve (70) comprises a housing (72) having axially opposite first and second end portions (76 and 78) and an intermediate portion (80) interposed between the first and second end portions (76 and 78). The first end portion (76) is for fluid communication with the control valve (18) and the second end portion (78) is for fluid communication with the power steering motor (22). A flow restricting element (114) is located within the housing (72) and is movable through portions of the housing (72) including the intermediate portion (80) by fluid flow through the housing (72). The damper valve (70) further includes a biasing element (106) for restraining movement of the flow restricting element (114) toward the first end portion (76) of the housing (72).

Abstract: A power steering apparatus (10) includes a conduit (50) through which a flow of power steering fluid is conducted and a housing (22) having a chamber (25) which holds power steering fluid. A connector assembly (60) connects the conduit (50) with the housing (22). The connector assembly (60) includes a base (64) which is fixedly connected with the housing (22) and a clip (66) which interconnects the base and the conduit (50). The clip (66) has a pilot portion (76) with cam surfaces (88 and 90) which engage a projection (68) on the conduit (50) to press the conduit into an opening (78) in the base (64) during connection of the conduit with the base. The clip (66) has a retainer portion (74) which cooperates with the base (64) and the projection (68) on the conduit (50) to compress a seal (70) between the projection on the conduit and the base when the conduit is connected with the housing (22).

Abstract: A linkage component (22) for a vehicle includes a rod portion (60) which extends between opposite end portions (56 and 58) which are connected with the vehicle. The rod portion (60) of the linkage component (22) has a seam (64) which is held in a closed condition by interlocking projections (72) and recesses (78). The linkage component (22) is formed from a single piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: A rack guide (30) in a rack and pinion steering gear housing (12) comprises a cylindrical structure having a peripheral wall (42), an end wall (52), and an inner wall (71). The peripheral wall (42) has an outer surface (40) with a contour complementary to an inner surface (44) of the housing (12). The end wall (52) has a rack guide surface (54) configured to engage the rack (14) in line contact along a first straight line (57) parallel to the longitudinal axis (17) of the rack (14). The inner wall (71) has a linear configuration adjoining the end wall (52) along a second straight line (101) parallel to the first straight line (57).

Abstract: A rack guide (150) transmits a preloading force from a spring (36) to a steering rack (14) in a rack and pinion steering gear housing (12). The rack guide (150) is a cylindrical structure having an outer peripheral wall surface (154) with a cylindrical contour complementary to a cylindrical inner surface (14) of the housing (12), and further having an end wall surface (158) with a cylindrical contour complementary to a cylindrical surface (56) of the rack (14). The cylindrical structure (150) has relatively movable parts including circumferentially separate segments (170, 172), each of which defines a respective segmental portion of the outer peripheral wall surface (154). The relatively movable parts of the cylindrical structure (150) further include a flexible web (190) which interconnects and supports an adjacent pair of segments (170, 172) for movement relative to each other.

Abstract: A bushing and a seal member are disposed within a tubular housing partially defining the fluid chamber of a fluid power rack and pinion vehicle steering gear. The steering gear rack is axially movable within the chamber and extends axially through the seal and the bushing. The bushing supports the rack for axial movement in the tubular housing. The inner seal surface of the seal member sealingly engages the rack. The outer seal surface of the seal member sealingly engages the cylinder wall. The seal member and the retaining ridge have interdigitated portions which are urged into interlocking engagement by the cylinder wall.