Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Luibrand

Thomas W. Luibrand 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).

  • Poer steering system with minimum pressure maintained within the power steering motor
    Patent number: 5505276
    Abstract: A power steering system (10) for use in a vehicle includes a power steering pump (12) which is driven by an engine (13) of the vehicle. The output from the power steering pump (12) is connected to a power steering valve (22). The power steering valve (22) is connected with a power steering motor (24). When the engine (13) is turned off, that is, in a non-operating condition, and the power steering pump (12) is not being driven, the fluid pressure in motor cylinder chambers (40, 42) is prevented from falling below a predetermined pressure to keep seals (64, 66) in sealing engagement with the power steering motor 24. To keep the fluid pressure in the motor cylinder chambers (40, 42) from falling below a predetermined pressure, a one-way valve (70) blocks the flow of fluid from the power steering valve (22) back to the reservoir (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Luibrand