Patents by Inventor Paul R. Sahr

Paul R. Sahr has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6782966
    Abstract: A power-assisted steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus (10) comprises a one-piece monolithic component (16). The one-piece monolithic component (16) includes a pinion gear portion (18) for meshingly engaging a rack bar (14), a valve sleeve portion (20) for cooperating with a valve core (100) to actuate the hydraulic motor (124), and a torsion bar portion (22) extending axially outwardly of the valve sleeve portion (20) opposite the pinion gear portion (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Sahr, Richard A. Stoll
  • Publication number: 20030006087
    Abstract: A power-assisted steering apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus (10) comprises a one-piece monolithic component (16). The one-piece monolithic component (16) includes a pinion gear portion (18) for meshingly engaging a rack bar (14), a valve sleeve portion (20) for cooperating with a valve core (100) to actuate the hydraulic motor (124), and a torsion bar portion (22) extending axially outwardly of the valve sleeve portion (20) opposite the pinion gear portion (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Sahr, Richard A. Stoll
  • Patent number: 6427552
    Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10). The rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having a chamber (18). A portion of the chamber (18) is a relief pocket (22). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the chamber (18) of the housing (12). A rack bar (38) is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (38) is at least partially disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) and has teeth (44) in meshing engagement with the pinion gear (26). A spring (60) is disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (38) relative to the pinion gear (26). The spring (60) extends across an opening to the relief pocket (22). The spring (60) extends into the relief pocket (22) as a load applied to the spring (60) from the rack bar (38) increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Sahr
  • Patent number: 6408708
    Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12). A pinion gear (24) is rotatably mounted in the housing (12). A rack bar (32) is movable relative to the pinion gear (24). The rack bar (32) has teeth in meshing engagement with the pinion gear (24). The rack and pinion steering gear (10) further comprises a yoke assembly (38) in the housing (12) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (32) relative to the pinion gear (24). The yoke assembly (38) comprises a yoke (40) and a plurality of balls (64). The yoke (40) has a first surface (46) and a plurality of slots (52) which intersect the first surface (46). Each ball (64) is inserted into a respective slot (52). Each ball (64) projects from its respective slot (52) and beyond the first surface (46) of the yoke (40) when load conditions on the yoke assembly (38) are below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Sahr