Bishop Innovation Limited

A.e. Bishop Associates Pty.

Other

A. E. Bishop & Associates

John Baxter

Arthur E Bishop

Karl Yarnos Eisenhauer

Klaus J Roeske

Lyle John McLean

Geoffrey P Dyer

Donald G Murdock

Geoff Dyer

An angle sensor for sensing the absolute angular position of a rotatable body, such as a rotating shaft of an electric power steering system for an automobile, is disclosed.

Sensor for sensing absolute angular position of a rotatable body

A sensor for determining the position of a moveable surface having patterned regions is disclosed. The sensor includes an ASIC, at least one lens, and at least one EMR source. The ASIC includes at least one array of EMR sensitive detectors and processing means. The EMR source illuminates the surface. The lens focuses the reflected EMR from the surface and generates an image on the array of EMR sensitive detectors corresponding to the pattern on the surface. The ASIC, the one lens, and the one EMR source are all enclosed in a single housing providing accurate optical alignment of these elements and integrated as a single replaceable module. The processing means of the ASIC processes the image to determine the position of the pattern on the surface. The ASIC and the EMR source are both mounted on a PCB and the PCB is mounted in the housing.

Optical sensor

A torque transducer having a rotating shaft with first and second substantially rigid torque input members connected by a torsionally compliant coupling that enables angular deflection of the first torque input member relative to the second torque input member as a function of the magnitude of the torque in the shaft. First and second grating elements are attached to or integral with first and second torque input members, respectively. The grating elements have surfaces with alternating regions of high and low reflectivity connected by a torsionally compliant coupling. The surfaces are illuminated by a source of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which generates patterns on one or more arrays of detectors sensitive to the EMR. The disposition of the patterns is a function of torque applied to the shaft, and the output of the one or more arrays can be processed to produce a measure of the torque applied to the shaft.

Torque transducer

Hydraulic valves subjected to a pressure medium in power steering gear include a sleeve journalled on an input shaft, with the sleeve having a torsion bar connected thereto via a driven member. A method of balancing the hydraulic valve includes the steps of inserting the valve into a balanced housing, then determining the neutral position of the input shaft relative to the sleeve. The neutral position is then fixed by rotational connection of the input shaft and torsion bar. The pressure medium used to determine the neutral position is a gaseous medium, and a temporary sealing device adapted to seal the gaseous medium is in contact with the outside surface of the sleeve during determination of the neutral position.

Method of balancing a hydraulic valve for a power steering gear

Slotting

Front and rear wheel steering systems

A hydraulic power steering rotary valve of generally conventional construction characterized in that the on-center characteristics of the valve are governed by an arrangement of rolling elements and pairs of notched elements arranged to produce a detent action between the input shaft and the sleeve or driven member. One notched element of each pair is fixed to a carrier which is connected to the sleeve or driven member by a securing device. During assembly, the carrier is free to move under the influence of springs acting on the notched elements and thereby take up a position such that after completion of assembly the notched elements and rolling elements are precisely in the correct position to provide the required detent action.

Mechanical centering mechanism for rotary valve power steering system

A hydraulic control valve for a power assisted steering system for a vehicle, of generally conventional construction, the essential features of the valve being a sleeve having a bore in the surface of which are longitudinal extending grooves separated by lands, and a valve core fitting closely within the bore of the sleeve so as to be rotatable in the sleeve and having a second set of longitudinal grooves also separated by lands, each groove of the sleeve lying opposite a land of the core. The width of some at least of the grooves or lands vary along their lengths and the arrangement is such that relative rotation between the valve core and the sleeve member acts to vary the effective width and therefore the area of orifices defined by adjacent edges of opposing grooves and lands, thus controlling the restriction to flow of hydraulic fluid within the valve and thus the power assistance provided to the system, wherein the sleeve member and the valve core are relatively movable axially whereby the lengths of the orifices and thus the areas available for the flow of hydraulic fluid may be changed and the degree of assistance thus altered.

Growing community of inventors

Chatswood, Australia

John Baxter