US3921748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle power steering electric circuit
Assignee: Case LLC
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Filing: 1974-10-24
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A power steering electric circuit having a hydraulic circuit and a flow-switch in the circuit and being electrically responsive to the flow of fluid in the hydraulic circuit. Two relay switches are electrically connected with the flow switch and are set in open and closed positions, according to the fluid flow through the flow-switch, and a third relay switch is included in the electric circuit and is connected with an electric motor for driving a hydraulic pump. Also, the ignition switch of the vehicle is connected with the electric circuit, all for the purpose of energizing the electric motor when the vehicle engine is not running, and thereby provide hydraulic power for the power steering unit of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Donnell L Dunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:31
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
An electric circuit for a vehicle having a battery and a power steering system which includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic line, comprising an electric flow-switch connected with said hydraulic line and being of the type responsive to the flow of hydraulic fluid through said switch and including a movable electric connector positionable in electrically normally closed and open positions according to flow and a lack of flow of hydraulic fluid through said flow-switch, an additional electric switch electrically connected in series with said flow-switch and said battery for connecting and disconnecting said flow-switch relative to said battery, an electric motor and a second hydraulic pump combination, an electric relay system electrically connected with said electric motor and with said flow-switch and being automatically responsive to the said positions of said electric connector for electrically energizingly connecting and disconnecting said electric motor with said battery, said electric relay system including three relay switches with each thereof having an electric coil and electric connectors which set in electrically normally open and closed positions in response to electric current in each said coil, the said coils of two of said relay switches being electrically connected to respective electric sides of said electric flow-switch to be alternately electrically connected with said additional switch according to flow of fluid through said flow-switch, the said electric connectors of said two relay switches being electrically connected to said additional electric switch, the said two relay switches being electrically connected together and with one thereof being grounded and forming an electric ground for said two relay switches and the other thereof being electrically connected to said coil of the third one of said relay switches, said connectors of said third one of said relay switches being electrically connected to said electric motor and said battery and being arranged to be electrically closed when its said coil is electrically energized, to thereby energize said electric motor from said battery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
An electric circuit for a vehicle having a battery and a power steering system which includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic line, comprising an electric flow-switch connected with said hydraulic line and being of the type responsive to the flow of hydraulic fluid through said switch and including a movable electric connector positionable in electrically normally closed and open positions according to flow and a lack of flow of hydraulic fluid through said flow-switch, an additional electric switch electrically connected in series with said flow-switch and said battery for connecting and disconnecting said flow-switch relative to said battery, an electric motor and a second hydraulic pump combination, an electric relay system electrically connected with said electric motor and with said flow-switch and being automatically responsive to the said positions of said electric connector for electrically energizingly connecting and disconnecting said electric motor with said battery, said electric relay system including three relay switches with each thereof having an electric coil and electric connectors which set in electrically normally open and closed positions in response to electric current in each said coil, the said coils of two of said relay switches being electrically connected to respective electric sides of said electric flow-switch to be alternately electrically connected with said additional switch according to flow of fluid through said flow-switch, the said electric connectors of said two relay switches being electrically connected to said additional electric switch, the said two relay switches being electrically connected together and with one thereof being grounded and forming an electric ground for said two relay switches and the other thereof being electrically connected to said coil of the third one of said relay switches, said connectors of said third one of said relay switches being electrically connected to said electric motor and said battery and being arranged to be electrically closed when its said coil is electrically energized, to thereby energize said electric motor from said battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electric circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said additional electric switch is an ignition switch for said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The electric circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grounded one of said two relay switches is electrically connected to the normally open side of said flow-switch, and said other of said relay switches being electrically connected to the normally closed side of said flow-switch for electrically connecting said coil of said other relay switch with said additional switch when the fluid flow in said flow-switch is only a minimum, to thereby electrically connect said third relay switch with said battery.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |