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:
Oct. 15, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 23, 1995
Applicant:
Inventors:
Francis E Nimblett, Jr, Beverly, MA (US);
Marthinus van Schoor, Medford, MA (US);
Assignee:
SatCon Technology Corporation, Cambridge, MA (US);
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B62D / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
180423 ; 180446 ; 180421 ; 180417 ;
Abstract
In the hydraulically assisted steering system disclosed herein, a hydraulic pump for powering a steering servo is in turn driven either from the vehicle's engine, through an electrically controlled clutch, or by an electric motor which can drive the pump independently of the vehicle's engine. A signal is provided which varies as a function of vehicle's speed and disengagement of the clutch is enabled for vehicle speeds above a predetermable threshold, thereby to reduce energy consumption. The clutch is engaged, independently of vehicle speed, under high load, e.g. emergency situations.