US4366768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power steering direction sensor
Assignee: Pennwalt Corp
•
Filing: 1982-06-07
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Granted: 1983-01-04
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Expires: 2002-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A plastic material, preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film, made highly piezoelectric by known methods, is placed in a sensor unit structure wherein pressure is exerted against the piezoelectric film by means of rotation of the steering wheel of the boat or vehicle to thereby cause the piezoelectric film to generate electric signals which are used in controlling the rpm of a low-inertia, instantaneously reversible steering power assist motor. The rpm of the motor is substantially proportional to the input electric signals, which, in turn, are determined by, and responsive to, the degrees of rotation and speed of rotation of the steering wheel. The direction of rotation of the steering wheel determines the direction of steering assist, i.e., to the left or right. Available torque of the motor however is substantially inversely proportional to rpm of the engine propelling the boat or vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Kulischenko
- 👤 Philip E. Bloomfield
- 👤 Richard A. Ferren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:16
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H25/00; B63H25/06; B63H25/08; B63H25/14; B63H25/18; B63H25/24; B62; B62D; B62D15/00; B62D15/02; G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/22; G01L5/221; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A sensor unit for instantaneously varying rpm and direction of rotation of a steering power assist motor shaft in marine vessels and the like in response to direction of rotation and speed of rotation of a steering wheel of said vessel in conjunction with available torque from said motor, said available torque being substantially inversely proportional to rpm of engine driving said marine vessel, said sensor unit comprising an open-ended cylindrical casing, a plug member disposed at each end of said casing, a plastic member having piezoelectric properties disposed against each of said plug members, means for separating said casing into a pair of substantially identical chambers, means responsive to said direction and speed of rotation of said steering wheel for changing volume within said chambers whereby pressure is exerted against a face of one of said plastic members when said steering wheel is rotated in one direction and against a face of other of said plastic members when said wheel is rotated in other direction to thereby provide signals from said members for causing said motor shaft to assist steering in accordance with said changed volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A sensor unit for instantaneously varying rpm and direction of rotation of a steering power assist motor shaft in marine vessels and the like in response to direction of rotation and speed of rotation of a steering wheel of said vessel in conjunction with available torque from said motor, said available torque being substantially inversely proportional to rpm of engine driving said marine vessel, said sensor unit comprising an open-ended cylindrical casing, a plug member disposed at each end of said casing, a plastic member having piezoelectric properties disposed against each of said plug members, means for separating said casing into a pair of substantially identical chambers, means responsive to said direction and speed of rotation of said steering wheel for changing volume within said chambers whereby pressure is exerted against a face of one of said plastic members when said steering wheel is rotated in one direction and against a face of other of said plastic members when said wheel is rotated in other direction to thereby provide signals from said members for causing said motor shaft to assist steering in accordance with said changed volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The unit of claim 1 wherein said plastic members comprise polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The unit of claim 2 wherein pressure is exerted against inner faces of said plastic members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The unit of claim 3 wherein each of said plug members is removably locked in place by a retaining ring contacting inner wall of said cylindrical casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The unit of claim 3 wherein said means for separating said casing into a pair of substantially identical chambers comprises (a) a cylindrical piston disposed between said chambers, (b) a resilient rolling diaphragm confined between said piston and each of said plug members, said sensor unit also comprising other means for causing said piston to travel towards either of said chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The unit of claim 5 wherein said other means comprises a first pin extending axially from said piston and a first slot provided in said casing for receiving said first pin for guiding said travel of said piston.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The unit of claim 6 wherein said piston is provided with a second pin aligned with said first pin and extending from other end of said piston, a second slot provided in said casing disposed in diametric opposition to said first slot, said second pin travelling along said second slot to act as a bearing support for said piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The unit of claim 7 wherein a central passageway is provided in each of said plug members for passage therethrough of electrical conductors capable of conducting electric signals from said plastic members when pressure is exerted thereagainst by travel of said piston in a direction theretowards.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The unit of claim 2 wherein movement of said first pin is in response to direction of rotation of said steering wheel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The unit of claim 9 wherein said first pin has one end thereof secured to a travelling threaded nut which moves in a direction responsive to direction of rotation of said steering wheel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The unit of claim 6 wherein each of said plug members is provided with an orifice therethrough for egress and ingress of air when volume within said chambers is changing during travel of said piston.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The unit of claim 11 wherein diameter of said orifices ranges between about 1 to 16 mils.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
209 words
A sensor unit for instanteously varying rpm and direction of rotation of a steering power assist motor shaft in marine vessels and the like in response to direction of rotation and speed of rotation of a steering wheel of said vessel in conjunction with available torque from said motor, said available torque being substantially inversely proportional to rpm of engine driving said marine vessel, said sensor unit comprising a casing member, support means disposed at ends of said casing, a plastic film sensing element affixed to each of said support means, a piston disposed intermediate said ends of said casing to provide a pair of substantially identical chambers therewithin, a resilient rolling diaphragm confined between said piston and each of said support means, said support means and diaphragms and plastic film sensing elements providing air-tightness to said chambers, said sensor unit also including other means for causing said piston to travel towards either of said support means, and additional means responsive to said direction and speed of rotation of said steering wheel for exerting pressure agianst inner faces of said platic film sensing elements to provide signals therefrom for causing said motor shaft to assist steering in accordance with said direction and speed of rotation of said steering wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
209 words
A sensor unit for instanteously varying rpm and direction of rotation of a steering power assist motor shaft in marine vessels and the like in response to direction of rotation and speed of rotation of a steering wheel of said vessel in conjunction with available torque from said motor, said available torque being substantially inversely proportional to rpm of engine driving said marine vessel, said sensor unit comprising a casing member, support means disposed at ends of said casing, a plastic film sensing element affixed to each of said support means, a piston disposed intermediate said ends of said casing to provide a pair of substantially identical chambers therewithin, a resilient rolling diaphragm confined between said piston and each of said support means, said support means and diaphragms and plastic film sensing elements providing air-tightness to said chambers, said sensor unit also including other means for causing said piston to travel towards either of said support means, and additional means responsive to said direction and speed of rotation of said steering wheel for exerting pressure agianst inner faces of said platic film sensing elements to provide signals therefrom for causing said motor shaft to assist steering in accordance with said direction and speed of rotation of said steering wheel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The unit of claim 13 wherein said plastic film comprises polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The unit of claim 14 wherein said plastic film comprises wafers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The unit of claim 13 wherein a preloaded spring is interposed between said piston and each of said plastic film sensing elements for transmitting added pressure against one of said plastic film sensing elements upon rotation of said steering wheel in a direction to cause said added pressure and still other means for urging said piston to travel towards other of said plastic film sensing elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The unit of claim 16 wherein said still other means comprises a first pin extending axially from said piston, and a first slot provided in said casing for receiving said first pin for guiding said travel of said piston.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The unit of claim 17 wherein said piston is provided with a second pin aligned with said first pin and extending from other end of said piston, a second slot provided in said casing disposed in diametric opposition to said first slot, said second pin travelling along said second slot to act as a bearing support for said piston.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The unit of claim 13 wherein said other means comprises a first pin extending axially from said piston, and a first slot provided in said casing for receiving said first pin for guiding said travel of said piston.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
The unit of claim 19 wherein said piston is provided with a second pin aligned with said first pin and extending from other end of said piston, a second slot provided in said casing disposed in diametric opposition to said first slot, said second pin travelling along said second slot to act as a bearing support for said piston.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The unit of claims 18 or 20 wherein said first pin has one end thereof secured to a travelling threaded nut which moves in a direction responsive to direction of rotation of said steering wheel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The unit of claim 16 wherein each of said preloaded springs is disposed within a separate chamber, and leak means disposed in each of said chambers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
184 words
A sensor unit for instanteously varying rpm and direction of rotation of a steering power assist motor shaft in marine vessels and the like in response to direction of rotation and speed of rotation of a steering wheel of said vessel in conjunction with available torque from said motor, said available torque being substantially inversely proportional to rpm of engine driving said marine vessel, said sensor unit comprising an open-ended cylindrical casing, a plug member disposed at each end of said casing, a pressure transducer disposed against each of said plug members, means for separating said casing into a pair of substantially identical chambers, means responsive to said direction and speed of rotation of said steering wheel for changing volume within said chambers whereby pressure is exerted against a face of one of said pressure transducers when said steering wheel is rotated in one direction and against a face of other of said pressure transducers when said wheel is rotated in other direction to thereby provide signals from said transducers for causing said motor shaft to assist steering in accordance with said changed volume.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
184 words
A sensor unit for instanteously varying rpm and direction of rotation of a steering power assist motor shaft in marine vessels and the like in response to direction of rotation and speed of rotation of a steering wheel of said vessel in conjunction with available torque from said motor, said available torque being substantially inversely proportional to rpm of engine driving said marine vessel, said sensor unit comprising an open-ended cylindrical casing, a plug member disposed at each end of said casing, a pressure transducer disposed against each of said plug members, means for separating said casing into a pair of substantially identical chambers, means responsive to said direction and speed of rotation of said steering wheel for changing volume within said chambers whereby pressure is exerted against a face of one of said pressure transducers when said steering wheel is rotated in one direction and against a face of other of said pressure transducers when said wheel is rotated in other direction to thereby provide signals from said transducers for causing said motor shaft to assist steering in accordance with said changed volume.
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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) | 1986-01-03 | 1986-07-05 | 1987-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-07-05 | 1991-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-03 | 1994-07-05 | 1995-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |