Abstract: A first vehicle power steering system includes a twistable steering torsion bar, a magnet, a Hall sensor, and a valve. The steering torsion bar has a first end fixedly connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The magnet is movable in a first and an opposite second longitudinal direction with respect to the steering torsion bar and is constrained to move in the first longitudinal direction when the steering wheel is turned to the right by a driver and is constrained to move in the second longitudinal direction when the steering wheel is turned to the left by the driver. The Hall sensor has an output and is positioned proximate the magnet. The valve is operatively connected to the output. A second vehicle power steering system includes a twistable steering torsion bar, a ring-magnet support cylinder, a ring-magnet assembly, a ball-and-ramp assembly, a spring, a Hall sensor, and a valve.

Abstract: A vehicle power steering system includes a sweep magnet, at least one Hall sensor, and at least one hydraulic-power-steering-system valve. The sweep magnet is fixedly connected to a first end of a twistable steering torsion bar wherein the first end is fixedly connected to a vehicle steering wheel. The at-least-one Hall sensor is fixedly connected to a second end of the steering torsion bar. The at-least-one Hall sensor has an output and is positioned proximate the sweep magnet such that the output is a function of steering wheel torque when the vehicle steering wheel is turned by a driver. The at-least-one hydraulic-power-steering-system valve is operatively connected to the output.

Abstract: A tensioner for a power transmitting belt is provided having a base, an arm pivotably attached to the base, a pulley rotatably attached to the arm and a spring operatively connected to the arm and the base for urging the arm in direction to tension the belt. A hydraulic strut is pivotably attached to the base and the arm to restrict the movement of the arm through asymmetric fluid damping. The hydraulic strut includes a hydraulic cylinder filled with magnetorheological fluid, a piston rod axially mounted through the cylinder and a piston mounted on the piston rod to divide the cylinder into first and second fluid chambers. The strut further includes a fluid flow path between the first and second fluid chambers, a check valve in the fluid flow path to provide asymmetric fluid flow and a coil that is operable to generate a magnetic field across the fluid flow path when energized.