The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 02, 1995
Tony L Marcott, Plainfield, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
An electrohydraulic steering system has a pair of proportional valves for controlling displacement of a steering valve for normal steering functions. The proportional valves are selectively energized by a position sensor in response to rotation of a steering wheel. However, should an electrical malfunction occur, rotation of the steering wheel beyond the normal operating range causes a steering control member to mechanically move an armature of the proportional valves through a spring to provide mechanical/hydraulic steering. Making the armatures of the proportional valves responsive to a mechanical input through the springs provides a simple, cost effective mechanical/hydraulic backup for the primary electrohydraulic steering control.