Trw Limited

Frederick D Venable

Bernard C Hudgens

Bruce C Noah

Gerald K Oxley

Robert S Phillips

Mark A Cartwright

Jim L Rau

Gary L Vandermolen

Samuel G Johnson, Iii

Philip S Peterson

John A Budzik, Jr

Chester D Renick

Lowell D Stingley

Mark A Hoagland

Murthy N Nemani

Gerald W Thomas

Daniel L White

A method of making a valve (,) that has a poppet valve member (,) biased by a spring (,) toward a closed position against a poppet valve seat (,). The spring acts between the poppet valve member and a spring seat (,) and applies a predetermined force to the poppet valve member. The method comprises the steps of providing a valve housing (,) having a chamber (,); inserting into the chamber in sequential order the poppet valve seat (,), the poppet valve member (,), the spring (,), and the spring seat (,); applying a force to the spring seat to compress the spring a predetermined amount; and securing the poppet valve seat and the spring seat to the housing (,) while maintaining the spring compressed the predetermined amount.

Method of making a poppet valve

A switching valve (,) for a hydraulic power steering system (,) includes a longitudinally movable valve spool (,). A spring (,) biases the spool (,) to a neutral position. The switching valve (,) is configured to direct hydraulic fluid from a primary pump (,) to a steering control valve (,) when the spool (,) is in a primary position, and to direct hydraulic fluid from an auxiliary pump (,) to the control valve (,) when the spool (,) is in an auxiliary position. The spool (,) is movable against a bias of the spring (,) from the neutral position to the primary position under the influence of a hydraulic fluid pressure differential between the opposite ends of the spool (,). The switching valve (,) defines a flow path for directing hydraulic fluid from the primary pump (,) to an end of the spool (,) when the spool (,) is in the neutral position. The flow path extends axially over a flat portion (,) of an outer surface of the spool (,).

Switching valve for a hydraulic power steering system

An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a rack gear (14) and a sector gear (16) which are disposed in meshing engagement. A lash adjustment assembly (46) is operable to move the sector gear (16) to reduce clearance between teeth (18 and 20) on the rack and sector gears upon rotation of the sector gear to an initial or on-center condition. The lash adjustment assembly (46) includes a force transmitting member (60) having a threaded end portion (90) which engages threads (92) on the sector gear (16). A power spring (100) is connected with the force transmitting member (60) and stores energy to rotate the force transmitting member relative to the sector gear (16). When the sector gear (16) moves to the on-center condition, an index pin (150) is moved relative to an index wheel (138) to release the force transmitting member (60) for rotation through a predetermined distance relative to the sector gear (16). When the force transmitting member (60) has rotated through the predetermined distance, an index pin (152) retains the index wheel (138) and force transmitting member against rotation.

Steering apparatus

A pump assembly (20) includes a rotor (40) and a stator (38) which are disposed within a housing (24) and partially define pumping chambers (56). Fluid is conducted through an inlet passage (104) to an inlet cavity (58) which is connected with the pumping chambers (56). Fluid is conducted from the pumping chambers (56) to an outlet (62) from the pump assembly (20). A tubular passage liner (112) is disposed in the inlet passage (104) and has a straight passage (138) through which fluid flow is conducted to the inlet cavity (58). The tubular passage liner (112) prevents erosion of the housing (24) during conduction through the inlet passage (104) of inlet fluid and fluid bypassed from the outlet (62) of the pump assembly (20). Projections (204 and 206) at one end of the tubular passage liner (112) are engageable with the stator (38) to limit movement of the tubular passage liner relative to the stator. The tubular passage liner (112) is installed in the inlet passage (104) by first closing a slot (180) to reduce the cross-sectional size of the tubular passage liner. The tubular passage liner (112) is then inserted into the inlet passage (104). The slot (180) is then opened to increase the size of the tubular passage liner (112).

Pump assembly method with a tubular bypass liner

Pump assembly with tubular bypass liner with at least one projection

An improved rotary device (20), such as a fluid pump or motor, includes a housing (24) which encloses a working unit (22). The working unit (22) includes a cam ring (38) which cooperates with a rotor (40) and a plurality of vanes (42) to form a plurality of variable volume working chambers. The housing (24) includes a main section (26) and a cover section (28). The main section (26) of the housing (24) has three separate risers (122, 124 and 126). Any one of the three risers (122, 124 or 126) may be connected with a fluid conduit (116). The main and cover sections (26 and 28) of the housing (24) are movable relative to each other to enable the rotary device (20) to be mounted in a selected one of a plurality of orientations on a support structure.

Rotary device having plural mounting orientations and fluid connections

A steering column for the steering system of an automotive vehicle has a first steering column member axially movable relative to a second steering column member. The second steering column member is pivotable relative to a vehicle frame. An input shaft connectable with a steering wheel is pivotable relative to the first steering column member. A first tilt locking means locks the second steering column member in a pivot position relative to the vehicle frame. A second tilt locking means locks the input shaft in a pivot position relative to the first steering column member. A telescope locking means locks the first steering column member in an axial position relative to the second steering column member. A locking member has a first position in which the first and second tilt locking means and the telescope locking means are locked. The locking member has a second position in which the first tilt locking means and the telescope locking means are locked and the second tilt locking means is unlocked. The locking member also has a third position in which the first tilt locking means and the telescope locking means are unlocked and the second tilt locking means is locked.

Dual pivot steering column

A steering column has a first steering column member movable axially relative to a second steering column member. An input shaft is connected with the steering wheel and supported on the first steering column member for pivotable movement relative to the first steering column member. A first lock locks the first steering column member in any one of an infinite number of axial positions relative to the second steering column member. A second lock locks the input shaft in any one of an infinite number of pivot positions relative to the first steering column member. A member to unlock the first and second locks has a first position in which the first lock is unlocked and the second lock is locked. The member has another position in which the second lock means is unlocked and the first lock is locked.

Tilt-telescope steering column

A locking mechanism for locking a first member in any one of an infinite number of positions relative to a second member includes a resilient members for urging the first and second members toward each other to apply a friction force between the first and second members to prevent relative movement between the first and second members. An actuator member for releasing the friction force between the first and second members has a first position in which the first and second members are prevented from moving relative to each other. The actuator member has a second position in which the first and second members are positionable relative to each other. The locking mechanism includes a handle for moving the actuator member from its first position to its second position to release the friction force between the first and second members. The resilient members is operable to move the actuator member from its second position to its first position.

Locking mechanism

A universal joint (10) for a steering gear input shaft (11) includes a yoke (12), a bolt (14) movable into an installed position in the yoke, and a spring clip (22) for locking the bolt in its installed position in the yoke. The spring clip (22) moves with the bolt (14) when the bolt is moved into its installed position in the yoke (12), and has first and second portions (202, 212). The first and second portions (202, 212) of the spring clip (22) have locking positions in which the first portion (202) engages the bolt (14) and the second portion (212) interlocks with the yoke (12) to block movement of the bolt out of the yoke. The second portion (212) of the spring clip (22) moves resiliently into its locking position to interlock with the yoke (12) upon movement of the bolt (14) into its installed position in the yoke (12).

Fail-safe universal joint connection

'A tilt telescope steering column assembly comprises a housing supported for tilting movement, a tubular member supported for axial movement in the housing, and a steering shaft supported for rotation in the tubular member. Axially spaced bearings engage the housing and the tubular memeber to take up clearance therebetween'.

A tilt telescope steering column comprises a bracket pivotably supporting a housing between first and second pivot limits. The first and second pivot limits may be changed. A pair of screws attach the housing to the bracket and clearance between the screws and the housing is taken up. A tubular member is located within the housing and is axially movable relative to the housing. Axially spaced bearings engage the housing and the tubular member to take up clearance therebetween. A tilt blocking mechanism includes a lock member carried by the housing and movable to a position blocking relative pivotal movement between the housing and the bracket. The lock member is moved against a surface of the housing when the lock member is in its blocking position to take up clearance between the lock member and the housing. A telescope blocking mechanism includes a lock pin which is movable to a position blocking relative axial movement of the tubular member and the housing. A cam member is supported for pivotal movement by the lock pin. The lock pin is moved away from its blocking position in response to the cam pivoting in a first direction. The lock member is moved away from its blocking position in response to the cam pivoting in a second direction opposite the first direction.

A steering column comprises a pair of steering column members. One of the steering column members is movable axially relative to the other. Structure is also provided for supporting the pair of steering column members for tilting movement about a tilt axis which extends transverse to the direction of relative axial movement of the steering column members. A first locking device locks the steering column members in any one of a plurality of relative axial positions, and a second locking device locks the steering column members in any one of a plurality of tilt positions. A control lever is movable to release the first and second locking devices. A linkage is connected with the control lever and the first and second locking devices to release the first and second locking devices upon movement of the control lever.

Growing community of inventors

Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Frederick D Venable