GB1073611A - Improvements in hydraulic steering mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

1,073,611. Power-assisted steering mechanism. HYDROSTEER Ltd. April 1, 1966 [April 23, 1965], No. 17217/65. Heading B7H. In an hydraulically-assisted steering mechanism comprising a worm 2 which is attached to a steering shaft 1 actuated by a steering wheel and is engaged by an output member connected to a steering linkage, a double-acting servo-piston 5 engages the output member, a steering box 3 encloses the worm, output member and servopiston, a control valve 8 is interposed between a source of hydraulic pressure and the servopiston 5, and a bearing 12 for the shaft 1 is supported on a pivoted lever 14 permitting slight movement of the bearing under the reaction between the worm and output member, such movement operating the control valve 8 through the pivoted lever 14. The lever 14 moves about a pivot 13 as shown to permit axial displacement of the shaft 1, or in Fig. 4 (not shown), the lever moves about an axis parallel with the shaft 1 to permit radial displacement of the shaft. The valve 8 is connected to the lever 14 by a link 15 and communicates with opposite faces of the piston 5 through passages 9, 10, 11 within the housing 3 or through flexible pipes. The output member consists of a peg secured to an arm on a rocker shaft 7B so as to project through apertures in the piston 5 and a surrounding cylinder for engagement with the' worm 2. Both the piston 5 and the cylinder are rotatable in the housing 3 to accommodate movement of the peg around the rocker shaft axis.