US4079806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle starting circuit to by-pass auxiliary steering system
Assignee: Fiatallis SpA
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Filing: 1976-12-17
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Granted: 1978-03-21
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Expires: 1996-12-17
Abstract
Abstract An electric circuit for use in the ignition system of a vehicle having an auxiliary steering system powered by the vehicle battery which is energized upon engine failure or shut down during vehicle operation. The ignition circuit disconnects the auxiliary steering system from the vehicle battery during engine starting to eliminate unnecessary drain on the vehicle battery.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Hoag
- 👤 Carl A. Keyzer
- 👤 Michael W. Steffens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:03
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a vehicle having a vehicle engine-driven hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to a vehicle steering system, a vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the vehicle steering system upon a predetermined decrease in hydraulic fluid supplied from said vehicle engine-driven pump, auxiliary pump actuating means for coupling the vehicle battery-driven auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery in response to the occurrence of a predetermined decrease in hydraulic fluid supplied from said vehicle engine-driven pump and a vehicle ignition system including the auxiliary pump actuating means and having a normally open neutral start switch the contacts of which are only closed when starting the vehicle, the improvement comprising a relay having normally closed relay contacts coupling said vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery in response to said auxiliary pump actuating means and having a relay winding coupled to said normally open neutral start switch to open said normally closed relay contacts upon the closing of said normally open neutral start switch to electrically isolate said vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump from the vehicle battery when said neutral start switch contacts are closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a vehicle having a vehicle engine-driven hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to a vehicle steering system, a vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the vehicle steering system upon a predetermined decrease in hydraulic fluid supplied from said vehicle engine-driven pump, auxiliary pump actuating means for coupling the vehicle battery-driven auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery in response to the occurrence of a predetermined decrease in hydraulic fluid supplied from said vehicle engine-driven pump and a vehicle ignition system including the auxiliary pump actuating means and having a normally open neutral start switch the contacts of which are only closed when starting the vehicle, the improvement comprising a relay having normally closed relay contacts coupling said vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery in response to said auxiliary pump actuating means and having a relay winding coupled to said normally open neutral start switch to open said normally closed relay contacts upon the closing of said normally open neutral start switch to electrically isolate said vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump from the vehicle battery when said neutral start switch contacts are closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a relay having normally open contacts and having a winding coupled in series between said vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump and said auxiliary pump actuating means to close said normally open contacts in response to said auxiliary pump actuating means for coupling said battery-driven pump to the vehicle battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including warning means coupled into said vehicle ignition system and actuable in response to said auxiliary pump actuating means for providing a discernible signal to a vehicle operator upon coupling of said auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary pump actuating means comprises a fluid operated switch responsive to the flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fluid operated switch includes switch contacts normally open in response to flow of hydraulic fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a vehicle having a vehicle engine-driven hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to a vehicle steering system, a vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the vehicle steering system upon a predetermined decrease in hydraulic fluid supplied from said vehicle engine-driven pump, auxiliary pump actuating means for coupling the vehicle battery-driven auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery in response to the occurrence of a predetermined decrease in hydraulic fluid supplied from said vehicle engine-driven pump and a vehicle ignition system including the auxiliary pump actuating means and having a normally open neutral start switch the contacts of which are only closed when starting the vehicle, the improvement comprising means normally electrically coupling said vehicle battery-driven auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery in response to said auxiliary pump actuating means and electrically coupled to said normally open neutral start switch to automatically uncouple said electrical coupling of said pump to said battery upon the closing of said normally open neutral start switch to electrically isolate said vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump from the vehicle battery when said neutral start switch contacts are closed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a vehicle having a vehicle engine-driven hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to a vehicle steering system, a vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to the vehicle steering system upon a predetermined decrease in hydraulic fluid supplied from said vehicle engine-driven pump, auxiliary pump actuating means for coupling the vehicle battery-driven auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery in response to the occurrence of a predetermined decrease in hydraulic fluid supplied from said vehicle engine-driven pump and a vehicle ignition system including the auxiliary pump actuating means and having a normally open neutral start switch the contacts of which are only closed when starting the vehicle, the improvement comprising means normally electrically coupling said vehicle battery-driven auxiliary hydraulic pump to the vehicle battery in response to said auxiliary pump actuating means and electrically coupled to said normally open neutral start switch to automatically uncouple said electrical coupling of said pump to said battery upon the closing of said normally open neutral start switch to electrically isolate said vehicle battery driven auxiliary hydraulic pump from the vehicle battery when said neutral start switch contacts are closed.
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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) | 1981-03-20 | 1981-09-19 | 1982-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-20 | 1985-09-19 | 1986-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-20 | 1989-09-19 | 1990-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |