Patent US5669461A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5669461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automotive hydraulic system and method
Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-15
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2016-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A fluid supply system provides hydraulic fluid to a series combination of an automotive fan motor and a power steering unit. There is a bypass line around the fan motor for prioritizing the operation of the power steering unit. A normally closed pressure sequencing valve opens the bypass line when the pressure across the overall series combination exceeds a predetermined limit. Optional second and third bypass lines are disclosed for respectively bypassing either the power steering unit or the fan motor in case of abnormal conditions therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Buschur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:29
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01P; F01P7/00; F01P7/02; F01P7/04; F01P7/044; B; B62; B62D; B62D5/00; B62D5/06; B62D5/07; F01P7/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for prioritizing a plurality of hydraulic components in a hydraulic steering system; said method comprising the steps hydraulically coupling a plurality of components together; providing a priority component from said plurality of hydraulic components; providing a low priority component from said plurality of hydraulic components said priority component and said low priority component being situated in a series arrangement; sensing a pressure in said hydraulic system; and directing hydraulic power to said priority component when said sensed pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for prioritizing a plurality of hydraulic components in a hydraulic steering system; said method comprising the steps hydraulically coupling a plurality of components together; providing a priority component from said plurality of hydraulic components; providing a low priority component from said plurality of hydraulic components said priority component and said low priority component being situated in a series arrangement; sensing a pressure in said hydraulic system; and directing hydraulic power to said priority component when said sensed pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: identifying a power steering unit as said priority component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: identifying a power steering unit as said priority component and a fan motor as said low priority component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: bypassing said low priority component when said pressure exceeds said predetermined pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: situating a bypass around said low priority component; bypassing said low priority component when said sensed pressure exceeds said predetermined pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: situating said priority component in series with said low priority component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: bypassing said priority component when said priority component becomes overloaded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: bypassing said low priority component when an overall system pressure in said hydraulic system exceeds a predetermined limit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the step of: situating said priority component downstream of said low priority component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: situating either said priority component or said low priority component in parallel with a third component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: sensing said pressure upstream of said priority component.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for delivering hydraulic fluid to a priority component and a low priority component in a vehicle hydraulic steering system; said method comprising the steps of: coupling said priority component and said low priority component in a series arrangement; sensing a pressure in said hydraulic system; bypassing at least one of said priority component or said low priority component in response to said sensed pressure.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for delivering hydraulic fluid to a priority component and a low priority component in a vehicle hydraulic steering system; said method comprising the steps of: coupling said priority component and said low priority component in a series arrangement; sensing a pressure in said hydraulic system; bypassing at least one of said priority component or said low priority component in response to said sensed pressure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said method further comprises the step of: bypassing said low priority component in response to said sensed pressure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said method further comprises the steps of: situating a bypass across said low priority component; actuating said bypass when said pressure exceeds a predetermined amount to bypass said low priority component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said method further comprises the step of: coupling said priority component downstream of said low priority component.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said method further comprises the step of: coupling said priority component and said low priority component in series.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said method further comprises the step of: bypassing said low priority component when a system pressure exceeds a predetermined system pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said method further comprises the step of: bypassing said priority component when said priority component becomes overloaded.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 18 wherein said method further comprises the step of: using a pressure sensitive valve to bypass said priority component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
102 words
A vehicle hydraulic steering system comprising: a hydraulic pump; at least one low priority component; at least one high priority component; at least one sensor for sensing a hydraulic pressure; and a hydraulic network coupling said hydraulic pump, said at least one low priority component, said at least one high priority component, and said at least one sensor such that said at least one low priority component and said at least one high priority component are in series and, when said sensor senses that said hydraulic pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, said hydraulic network bypasses said at least one low priority component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
102 words
A vehicle hydraulic steering system comprising: a hydraulic pump; at least one low priority component; at least one high priority component; at least one sensor for sensing a hydraulic pressure; and a hydraulic network coupling said hydraulic pump, said at least one low priority component, said at least one high priority component, and said at least one sensor such that said at least one low priority component and said at least one high priority component are in series and, when said sensor senses that said hydraulic pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, said hydraulic network bypasses said at least one low priority component.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vehicle hydraulic system as recited in claim 20 wherein said hydraulic network further comprises: a bypass situated around said low priority component for bypassing said low priority component in response to said hydraulic pressure sensed by said sensor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle hydraulic system as recited in claim 20 wherein said hydraulic pump comprises a power steering unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle hydraulic system as recited in claim 21 wherein said bypass is a pressure responsive valve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle hydraulic system as recited in claim 21 wherein said high priority component is a steering unit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle hydraulic system as recited in claim 24 wherein said low priority component is a fan unit.
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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) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |