US3807456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic controller including rotary valve
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1972-03-28
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Granted: 1974-04-30
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Expires: 1992-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A hydraulic controller, for power assist steering or the like systems, which controls the flow of pressurized fluid between a main power fluid pump and a servomotor such as a hydraulic cylinder. The controller includes a rotary valve assembly which confines the fluid within the controller to a valve chamber, enabling the controller to be utilized in remote or integral power steering applications such as rack and pinion gear system without admixing the lighter servomotor operating oil from the heavier gear lubricating oil.
Inventors
- 👤 J Colletti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:42
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B13/00; F15B13/02; F15B13/04; B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/08; B62D5/083; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A hydraulically assisted vehicular power steering gear comprising a housing having a plurality of fluid ports and a cylindrical valve chamber communicating with said fluid ports, an input shaft and an output shaft mounted on said housing for rotation relative to said housing and to each other, a rotary valve assembly in said valve chamber for controlling the flow of fluid between said fluid ports and comprising a powdered-metal tubularly shaped rotatable outer valve element and a relatively rotatable inner valve element within said outer valve element, one of said shafts having an inner end extending into and terminating within the axial confines of said outer valve element, said inner valve element being formed integrally with said shaft inner end and said outer valve element being operatively connected to the other of said shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A hydraulically assisted vehicular power steering gear comprising a housing having a plurality of fluid ports and a cylindrical valve chamber communicating with said fluid ports, an input shaft and an output shaft mounted on said housing for rotation relative to said housing and to each other, a rotary valve assembly in said valve chamber for controlling the flow of fluid between said fluid ports and comprising a powdered-metal tubularly shaped rotatable outer valve element and a relatively rotatable inner valve element within said outer valve element, one of said shafts having an inner end extending into and terminating within the axial confines of said outer valve element, said inner valve element being formed integrally with said shaft inner end and said outer valve element being operatively connected to the other of said shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said shafts and said valve elements are in axial alignment with one another and including means forming a longitudinal bore in said input shaft, a torsion rod in axial alignment with said shafts and fixedly connected respectively thereto at the opposite ends thereof, first axial thrust abutment means for preventing axial movement of said outer valve element in one direction, and second axial thrust abutment means for preventing axial movement of said output shaft in an opposite direction, said torsion rod preventing axial movement of said input shaft relative to said output shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said power steering gear comprises a rack and pinion steering gear having a pinion on said output shaft for meshing engagement with a toothed rack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said bearing means comprises a roller bearing assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A hydraulic valve assembly comprising; housing means defining a valve chamber, valve means disposed in said chamber for controlling fluid flow, input shaft means for actuating said valve means, first bearing means rotatably supporting said shaft means in said housing means, said valve means including second bearing means axially spaced along said shaft means from said first bearing means for supporting said shaft means, said second bearing means being defined By at least a portion of said valve means which is made of powdered metal and in sliding engagement with said shaft means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A hydraulic valve assembly comprising; housing means defining a valve chamber, valve means disposed in said chamber for controlling fluid flow, input shaft means for actuating said valve means, first bearing means rotatably supporting said shaft means in said housing means, said valve means including second bearing means axially spaced along said shaft means from said first bearing means for supporting said shaft means, said second bearing means being defined By at least a portion of said valve means which is made of powdered metal and in sliding engagement with said shaft means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said powdered metal portion comprises sleeve means surrounding and supporting said shaft means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said valve means includes said shaft means and said sleeve means which have cooperating fluid passages therein for controlling said fluid flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said shaft means is journalled in said sleeve means adjacent the fluid passages in said shaft means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said shaft means is journalled in said sleeve means at axially spaced surfaces adjacent the opposite axial extremities of said fluid passages in said shaft means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a valving mechanism for a vehicular power steering system including a valve body, a cylindrical valve chamber and a cylindrical shaft-receiving bore formed in said body in axial alignment with one another, a valve sleeve rotatably carried in said valve chamber and having an inner cylindrical wall, a steering shaft having an anterior end extending beyond said body for coupling connection to a steering wheel, a central portion extending through said bore and a posterior end portion extending into said valve sleeve and being in supporting engagement only with said inner wall thereof, and cooperating valving surfaces formed on the posterior end of said steering shaft and said inner wall of said valve sleeve, the improvement wherein said valve sleeve is formed of powdered metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a valving mechanism for a vehicular power steering system including a valve body, a cylindrical valve chamber and a cylindrical shaft-receiving bore formed in said body in axial alignment with one another, a valve sleeve rotatably carried in said valve chamber and having an inner cylindrical wall, a steering shaft having an anterior end extending beyond said body for coupling connection to a steering wheel, a central portion extending through said bore and a posterior end portion extending into said valve sleeve and being in supporting engagement only with said inner wall thereof, and cooperating valving surfaces formed on the posterior end of said steering shaft and said inner wall of said valve sleeve, the improvement wherein said valve sleeve is formed of powdered metal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 and including a roller bearing mounted in said bore for journalling said central portion of said steering shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
A fluid controller for use in a vehicular power steering system comprising; a housing having a valve chamber therein, a steering signal input shaft rotatably carried on said housing and having an inner end portion forming a valve core disposed within said valve chamber and an outer end portion adapted for interconnection with a steering wheel assembly, and a powdered metal valve sleeve rotatably carried in said valve chamber and receiving and providing the sole bearing support surface for said inner end portion of said input shaft including said valve core, said valve core and said valve sleeve together comprising a rotary valve assembly having cooperating valving surfaces for performing a valving function in response to relative rotation thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
119 words
A fluid controller for use in a vehicular power steering system comprising; a housing having a valve chamber therein, a steering signal input shaft rotatably carried on said housing and having an inner end portion forming a valve core disposed within said valve chamber and an outer end portion adapted for interconnection with a steering wheel assembly, and a powdered metal valve sleeve rotatably carried in said valve chamber and receiving and providing the sole bearing support surface for said inner end portion of said input shaft including said valve core, said valve core and said valve sleeve together comprising a rotary valve assembly having cooperating valving surfaces for performing a valving function in response to relative rotation thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said input shaft comprises a central portion between said inner and outer end portions and including bearing means in said housing journalling said central portion of said input shaft.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-29 | 1977-10-29 | 1978-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-29 | 1981-10-29 | 1982-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-29 | 1985-10-29 | 1986-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |