Volvo Gm Heavy Truck Corporation

Michael E Howell

Bjorn O Svartz

An over the highway truck having a power steering system including an improved hydraulic circuit for operation of the system is disclosed. The system includes a heat conductive metal frame element, a power steering pump, and conduits connecting an output of the pump to at least one steering assist actuator. The system also has a heat conductive, metal, hydraulic reservoir defining an internal power steering fluid chamber is connected to the frame element in heat transfer relationship. Supply and return conduits respectively connect the chamber to the pump and the actuator to provide a combination wherein the frame element and reservoir together function as a heat sink to cool power steering fluid. The reservoir has a housing having a base portion and an internally connected, upstanding, circumferentially endless side portion. The housing has flow directing passages adjacent its base portion and communicating with the chamber for delineating fluid flow across the base portion in heat transferring relationship. A process of maintaining power steering fluid at desired temperatures by circulating fluid through a reservoir in heat exchange relationship with the frame element, thereby causing the reservoir and element to function as a heat sink is also disclosed.

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Greensboro, NC, United States of America

Michael E Howell