National Institute for Strategic Technology

Acquisition and Commercialization

Strategic Technologies


Strategic Technologies

 


Rotary/Axial Steering


To view the entire patent, please click the patent number for the U.S. Patent Office site.  For information on licensing a technology please contact the NISTAC  representative listed below.


U.S. Patents:

Reference Number: T02-03

Title: Rotary/Axial Steering

Inventors: Stephenson, Dwight B; et al. on behalf of Eaton Corporation. Assigned to Mid-America Commercialization Corporation.

Abstract: This Rotary/Axial Steering technology provides an improved fluid control steering system that includes a conventional rotary input controller with a parallel control capability. The invention provides a hydrostatic power steering device in which one or more of the steering functions is variable, or controllable, in response to an input other than merely steering wheel rotation. The fluid controller’s parallel electrohydraulic control valve makes it possible not to need separate valving, external to the fluid controller, while maintaining the capability of manually steering. The technology includes a load sensing priority flow control system.

Application:
· Agricultural machinery:  tractors and self-propelled combines
· Construction machinery: bulldozers, concrete mixers, cranes, dredging machinery, pavers and power shovels
· Specialized equipment for mining and well-drilling machinery
· Class 8 heavy trucks

Advantages: This patented mechanism is simpler, less expensive and requires substantially less plumbing than current parallel input steering mechanisms that have been proposed.

Other benefits include:
· error correction between the position of the steered wheels and the position of the steering wheel
· higher load capacity without the loss of emergency steering capabilities
· additional steering inputs without complicated external valving
· the ability to utilize crop sensors without requiring two separate control systems

U.S. Patents:
5,016,672 Steering controller with integral parallel control
5,065,793 Fluid controller with load sensing priority flow control capability
5,115,640 Fluid controller and logic control system for use therewith
5,129,424 Fluid controller with integral auxiliary valving
5,161,577 Fluid controller having rotary/axial valving, and spring arrangement therefor
5,186,211 Fluid controller having variable ancillary control functions
5,186,212 Fluid controller having axial modulation


For NISTAC Technology Licensing 
Discussions Contact:

Bob Reader
Direct:  (785) 532-3903
or (785) 532-3900


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