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:
Jun. 27, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 10, 1998
Wendell L Gilbert, Pleasant Shade, TN (US);
Michael R Morsches, Lebanon, TN (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
A hydraulic power steering gear (10) for a vehicle comprises first and second valve members (40 and 42) which are disposed coaxial to one another and which are relatively rotatable about a first axis (38) to selectively port hydraulic fluid. The first valve member (40) has an associated axial bore (170). The axial bore (170) has a second axis (174) which extends parallel to the first axis (38). The second valve member (42) includes a cam surface (128). A plunger (200) is disposed in the axial bore (170) for movement along the second axis (174). The plunger has a detent surface (208). Springs (240) bias the plunger (200) axially toward the second valve member (42). A detent roller (220) acts between the first and second valve members (40 and 42). The detent roller (220) is located in the cam surface (128) and in the detent surface (208) in a neutral condition to provide a physically perceptible indication to a driver of the vehicle of operation between the neutral condition and an actuated condition.