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:
May. 13, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 18, 2001
Don R. Draper, Chanhassen, MN (US);
Douglas R. Gilbert, Shakopee, MN (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A full fluid-linked steering system includes a fluid pump ( ), a fluid controller ( ), a steering actuator ( ), an electro-hydraulic compensation valve ( ), and a vehicle microprocessor ( ). Downstream of the fluid pump ( ) is a load sensing priority flow control valve ( ) having both a controlled flow outlet port (CF) and an excess flow outlet port (EF). The excess flow outlet port (EF) communicates with an inlet port ( ) of the fluid controller ( ), while the controlled flow outlet port (CF) communicates with a fluid inlet ( ) of the compensation valve ( ). As a result, when the steering actuator ( ) is at the end of its travel, pressure will be communicated only through the compensation valve ( ), and the operator will be unable to turn the steering wheel further in the same direction.