Eaton Corporation

Eaton Coroporation

Bernard J Larson

James K Yip

Dwight B Stephenson

Timothy A Hjelsand

Oliver W Johnson

Donald M Haarstad

A fluid controller (15) for use with an unequal area cylinder (25) having a rod end area A and a head end area B. The controller valving (27) includes, in one embodiment, a flow amplification path (101) for only one direction of steering. In another embodiment, the controller valving (27) includes flow amplification in both directions of steering, but with the ratios being different. In either case, the ratio of flow to the head end to flow to the rod end equals the ratio B/A, whereby the fluid controller requires the same number of turns, lock-to-lock, for either direction of steering.

Steering control unit with flow amplification for unequal area cylinder

A controller (15) is provided of the type which may be utilized in a hydrostatic power steering system. The controller includes a fluid actuated displacement mechanism (21) comprising a stationary ring (47) and a moveable star (49) to meter fluid flow through the controller valving (19). A plug member (105) is operable to apply a braking force to the moveable member (49) and it cooperates with the housing (27) to define a fluid chamber (109). The housing defines a fluid passage (111, 113, 117, 119) between the fluid chamber and the controller valving (19). The controller valving in the housing defines a drain passage (95, 99, 97) to drain the fluid chamber (109) when the controller valving is in its first operating position (FIG. 4 ) and to restrict the drain and allow pressure to increase in the fluid chamber (109) when the valving is approaching its maximum displacement position (FIG. 5). As a result, travel limit slip is substantially reduced by applying a braking force to the star, but only when the valving is approaching its maximum displacement position, thus avoiding the problem of feed-through.

Controller with reduced travel limit slip

A closed-center, non load-sensing controller (15) is disclosed for use with an unequal area steering cylinder (17). The controller includes valving comprising a spool (35) and sleeve (37). The sleeve includes an annular groove (65) in communication with the inlet port (29) and cylinder ports (73,75) in communication with the opposite ends of the steering cylinder. The sleeve defines an annular leakage groove (95) which is disposed to interrupt the flow of leakage fluid from the annular groove (65) to the cylinder ports (73,75), to eliminate undesired piston rod extension. When the valving is in neutral, leakage fluid collected in the annular groove (95) is communicated through radial bore (97), axial slots (83), and annular groove (81), axial slots (91), drain bore (99), drain bore (93), and then to the system reservoir.

Closed-center controller for use with unequal area cylinder

A power steering system is disclosed which selectively controls the flow of fluid to a steering motor and an auxiliary device, and may have as its source of pressurized fluid either a fixed displacement pump, a variable displacement pump, or a load sensing pump. The system includes a steering control valve disposed between the pump and the steering motor, and an externally pilot operated flow control valve, specifically, a priority valve, disposed between the pump and the steering control valve, such that the entire system flow enters the priority valve.

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New Hope, MN, United States of America

Bernard J Larson