WO2025159723A2

WO2025159723A2 - Emergency hydraulic power steering pump and manifold

Info

Publication number: WO2025159723A2
Application number: PCT/TR2025/050040
Authority: WO
Inventors: Selim SETKAYA
Original assignee: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri AS
Current assignee: FNSS Savunma Sistemleri AS
Priority date: 2024-01-23
Filing date: 2025-01-21
Publication date: 2025-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-23
Also published as: WO2025159723A3

Abstract

The invention pertains to a hydraulic power steering pump and manifold used to prevent fatal errors when the main steering pump is disabled Specifically, the invention relates to an emergency steering system containing at least one pump (10) that rotates bidirectionally, uses single-line suction and pressure, and transfers hydraulic oil from the reservoir (30) to the steering gear box (40) to maintain steering capability if the main steering pump is disabled. The system also includes a manifold (20) containing check valves (21), adjustable restrictors (22), and compensators (23) that can be adjusted to ensure consistent steering stiffness across different terrains.

Description

EMERGENCY HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP AND MANIFOLD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a hydraulic power steering pump and manifold used to prevent fatal errors in cases where the main steering pump is disabled in some way.

The invention pertains to an emergency power steering system consisting of a pump that is driven by the vehicle wheels, providing flow not only for forward movement but also for reverse movement, using the same suction and pressure lines during steering in both directions thanks to the internal design of the manifold, transferring hydraulic oil to the steering gear box, and ensuring steering control even if the main steering pump is disabled. Additionally, the invention integrates a manifold equipped with hydraulic valves to provide consistent steering stiffness across different terrains.

STATE OF THE ART

Hydraulic-assisted steering systems are used to reduce the force required to steer the vehicle. By reducing the human effort applied to the steering wheel, they facilitate the turning of the wheels. A hydraulically driven steering system operates by connecting the hydraulic pump to components such as the vehicle's engine or transmission, converting mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. The flow produced by the pump is transmitted to the steering gearboxes, generating a pressure that helps overcome the resistance of the wheels. This pressure depends on various parameters such as the friction coefficient of the terrain, the vehicle's speed, weight, tire size, the design of mechanical shafts assisting the rotation, and environmental conditions.

In current technologies, when the main steering pump becomes disabled (fails to perform its function), it can lead to fatal errors. In existing solutions, emergency steering pumps allow only unidirectional rotation (suitable only for the forward motion of the vehicle) and are not compatible with a vehicle's minimum speed requirements. Thus, they cause the ESP system to work inefficiently during reverse movements and slow forward movements, and in the long term, these systems inflict damage on the pump's internal components.

As a result, the above-mentioned problems in the existing techniques necessitate the development of a new economical, practical, standby hydraulic power steering pump and manifold in this technical field, while the limitations of existing solutions impose certain constraints.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The current invention is related to a hydraulic power steering pump and manifold designed to eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and introduce new advantages in the related technical field. It is used to prevent fatal error scenarios in case the main steering pump becomes disabled in any way.

The most significant objective of the invention is to ensure that the emergency power steering pump detects and activates when the main pump is not functioning, maintaining steering control so that the driver never loses control, even if the main steering pump is disabled.

Another crucial aim is to ensure that the desired flow rate is achieved bidirectionally using the same pressure and suction lines while the vehicle is both moving forward and in reverse.

Another important objective is to maintain steerability for the towed/towed-back vehicle during low-speed towing and rescue operations. Another significant objective is to enable the adjustment of the desired flow rate to control (increase/decrease) steering stiffness.

The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all its advantages will be understood more clearly from the figures provided below and the detailed explanation written by referencing these figures. Hence, evaluation should be made considering these figures and detailed explanations.

DRAWINGS TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE INVENTION

Figure -1; A schematic representation of the emergency hydraulic power steering pump and manifold subject to the invention.

Figure-2; A depiction of the emergency hydraulic power steering pump and manifold.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10. Emergency Steering Pump

20. Manifold

21. Check Valve

22. Adjustable Restrictor

23. Compensator

24. ank and Leakage Line

30. Reservoir

40. Gearbox

50. PTO DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Shown in Figures 1-2, the invention consists of a bidirectional emergency steering pump (10) suitable for low operating speeds and an integrated control manifold (20). The pump (10) and its shaft and flange interface can be modified to fit different PTOs (60) (components used to transfer power from power-generating systems like the engine or transmission to different equipment). The pump (10) draws hydraulic oil from the reservoir (30) and transfers it to the steering gear box (40), enabling steering or turning functions. The pump (10) supplies flow rate using the same suction and pressure line for both right and left rotate. This is facilitated by check valve bridge system (21) within the manifold (20). The flow rate send to the pressure line is regulated to the required flow via the adjustable restrictor (22) and directed to the steering gear box (40). This adjustment can also be performed manually on the manifold (20). The compensator (23) ensures that the flow rate remains constant at the desired level, independent of system pressure. These two valves work together to fulfill this function. Consequently, the user experiences consistent steering stiffness regardless of the terrain. Internal leakage within the pump (10) and the tank line (24) of the compensator are redirected to the pump's suction, increasing suction performance, ultimately enhancing system efficiency. The steering gear box (40) receives input mechanically via shafts. Hydraulic power also assists the user in turning the steering wheel more easily. Thus, even if the vehicle's standard hydraulic pump malfunctions or breaks down, the invention enables the vehicle to be steered.

In the invention, because the emergency steering pump (10) is driven by the vehicle wheels, it can generate flow as long as the wheels are turning. This generated flow is returned to the reservoir (30) when the main steering pump is in operation to prevent additional pressure. Therefore, while the main steering pump is functioning, energy savings are achieved. If the main steering pump stops supplying flow for any reason, system pressure decreases, causing the emergency pump's flow (directed back to the reservoir) to instead be routed to the steering gear box (40) via a valve that detects this change. As a result, the driver never loses steering control, even if the main steering pump becomes disabled, as the emergency steering pump (10) detects this situation and activates accordingly.

The emergency steering pump (10) used in the invention is not driven by an electrically powered motor, making it unaffected by system errors such as vehicle power cuts.

The scope of protection for this application is defined in the claims section, and it cannot be restricted to the examples definitively described above. It is evident that an expert in the field can develop alternatives to the inventive structures presented, using similar configurations or applying this solution to other sectors where similar purposes are required. Consequently, such configurations would clearly lack novelty and fail to overcome the criteria of the state of the art.

Claims

1- The invention relates to a hydraulic power steering pump and manifold that prevent fatal errors in situations where the main steering pump becomes disabled, characterized by:

At least one pump (10) that rotates bidirectionally and provides single- line suction and pressure while drawing hydraulic oil from the reservoir (30), transferring it to the steering gear box (40) to enable steering in the A manifold (20) containing check valves (21), adjustable restrictors (22), and compensators (23), which ensure consistent steering stiffness across different terrains by allowing adjustments to these components.

2- The manifold (20) as per Claim 1, characterized by: Check valves (21) enabling bidirectional suction and pressure of the pump (10), adjustable restrictor (22) for regulating the flow rate sent to the pressure line, and/or compensators (23) set up to maintain a steady flow rate independent of system pressure.