An improved power steering assembly is provided. The power steering assembly includes an end-of-travel mechanism and a valve cartridge that is actuated by left and right actuator rings of the end-of-travel mechanism, the actuator rings extending partially around an output shaft. The actuator rings can be individually set for the desired end-of-travel relief to limit the maximum system pressure when the steering assembly approaches the desired axle stop setting. The valve cartridge provides an end-of-travel function and a pressure relief function and is in fluid communication with the left and right pressure chambers to recirculate hydraulic fluid in the event of a power off condition.

An improved power steering assembly is provided. The power steering assembly includes an end-of-travel mechanism and a valve cartridge that is actuated by left and right actuator rings of the end-of-travel mechanism, the actuator rings extending partially around an output shaft. The actuator rings can be individually set for the desired end-of-travel relief to limit the maximum system pressure when the steering assembly approaches the desired axle stop setting. The valve cartridge provides an end-of-travel function and a pressure relief function and is in fluid communication with the left and right pressure chambers to recirculate hydraulic fluid in the event of a power off condition.

An axle assembly is provided for a working machine. The axle assembly includes an axle having first and second ends, the first end having a first wheel mount for pivotably mounting a first wheel to the axle and the second end having a second wheel mount for pivotably mounting a second wheel to the axle. The assembly has a steering arrangement for pivoting the first and second wheel mounts relative to the axle, the steering arrangement having a linkage connected to the first and second wheel mounts and configured to pivot the first and second wheel mounts relative to the axle. The steering arrangement also includes an actuator configured to actuate the steering linkage in order to effect pivoting of the first and second wheel mounts, and the actuator is directly connected to the steering linkage.

The invention relates to a method for compensating a stick-slip effect in the case of a recirculating ball steering system (20) having a steering housing (22), in which a steering piston (24) is supported between a first working chamber (34) and a second working chamber (36), wherein the steering piston (24) has a toothed region (26) on the steering-piston outer wall of the steering position, with which toothed region teeth (28) of a segment shaft (30) mesh, the steering piston (24) can he moved along a longitudinal axis X-X, the working chambers (34, 36) are connected to a control valve (39) by means of pressure-medium lines in order to provide steering assistance, the control valve (39) is connected to a processor unit (40), by means of which valves of the control valve (39) can be actuated, and the processor unit (40) is connected to a sensor (42), which determines rotation of the steering column both in a first direction of rotation and in a second, opposite direction of rotation. When a rotational motion of the steering column in a first direction occurs and thereafter the rotational motion in said direction nearly or completely stops, the valves of the control valve (39) are opened by the processor unit (40) in such a way that the pressure in the working chamber (34, 36) of the steering piston (24) facing away from the direction of motion of the steering piston (24) is reduced and immediately thereafter the pressure in the same working chamber (34, 36) is increased again.

The invention relates to a method for compensating a stick-slip effect in the case of a recirculating ball steering system (20) having a steering housing (22), in which a steering piston (24) is supported between a first working chamber (34) and a second working chamber (36), wherein the steering piston (24) has a toothed region (26) on the steering-piston outer wall of the steering position, with which toothed region teeth (28) of a segment shaft (30) mesh, the steering piston (24) can he moved along a longitudinal axis X-X, the working chambers (34, 36) are connected to a control valve (39) by means of pressure-medium lines in order to provide steering assistance, the control valve (39) is connected to a processor unit (40), by means of which valves of the control valve (39) can be actuated, and the processor unit (40) is connected to a sensor (42), which determines rotation of the steering column both in a first direction of rotation and in a second, opposite direction of rotation. When a rotational motion of the steering column in a first direction occurs and thereafter the rotational motion in said direction nearly or completely stops, the valves of the control valve (39) are opened by the processor unit (40) in such a way that the pressure in the working chamber (34, 36) of the steering piston (24) facing away from the direction of motion of the steering piston (24) is reduced and immediately thereafter the pressure in the same working chamber (34, 36) is increased again.

A method is provided for detecting a reciprocal position between a cylinder and a piston of a piston-cylinder unit of a vehicle. The method includes measuring, by means of an optical sensor, a value of an indicative parameter of a color of a reference mark positioned on a portion of the piston. The method also includes comparing the measured value with at least a predetermined threshold value thereof different to a minimum detected threshold of the indicative parameter by the optical sensor; and

emitting an alarm signal perceptible by a driver of a vehicle if the measured value is comprised between the threshold value and the minimum value.

A steering assembly system is provided having a steering actuator comprising a double rod end cylinder having: a cylinder barrel having a length, a first end with a first cap, and a second end with a second cap, and a first, second and third fluid port, each respectively in fluid communication with a first, second, and third chamber; a piston rod having a first rod end and a second rod end with a length extending therebetween, and the first rod end extending through the first cap and the second rod end extending through the second cap of the cylinder barrel; a first piston having a first dimension and mechanically secured at a point along the length of the main piston rod; a second piston having a second dimension larger than the first dimension of the first piston, and main piston rod extending through at least the length of the barrel.

A steering system for an articulated truck. The articulated truck is formed of a tractor and a trailer and an articulation joint. The steering system includes a hydraulic cylinder, with a cylinder barrel and a piston. The steering system provides for changes in angle between the tractor and the trailer. The hydraulic cylinder includes a snubbing tube projecting into the cylinder barrel. A hydraulic fluid passage opens into the cylinder barrel within the snubbing tube. The snubbing tube includes a main slot and a plurality of channels each extending between an interior and an exterior of the snubbing tube. The plurality of channels have a cross sectional area smaller than a cross sectional area of the main slot. When the articulated truck is steered, the piston moves in the cylinder barrel and the snubbing tube dampens the movement to prevent forces generated by the piston damaging the articulated truck.

A steering system for an articulated truck. The articulated truck is formed of a tractor and a trailer and an articulation joint. The steering system includes a hydraulic cylinder, with a cylinder barrel and a piston. The steering system provides for changes in angle between the tractor and the trailer. The hydraulic cylinder includes a snubbing tube projecting into the cylinder barrel. A hydraulic fluid passage opens into the cylinder barrel within the snubbing tube. The snubbing tube includes a main slot and a plurality of channels each extending between an interior and an exterior of the snubbing tube. The plurality of channels have a cross sectional area smaller than a cross sectional area of the main slot. When the articulated truck is steered, the piston moves in the cylinder barrel and the snubbing tube dampens the movement to prevent forces generated by the piston damaging the articulated truck.

A hydraulic circuit, in particular to a hydraulic steering circuit for steering at least one vehicle axle, the hydraulic circuit including a first fluid path having a first end and a second end and providing fluid communication or selective fluid communication between the first end and the second end of the first fluid path; and a second fluid path providing fluid communication or selective fluid communication between the first end of the first fluid path and the second end (2) of the first fluid path, in parallel to the first fluid path or to a section thereof. In some aspects, the first fluid path includes a first hydraulic displacement unit; and the second fluid path includes at least a first proportional bypass control valve for controlling a bypass fluid flow in the second fluid path. The hydraulic steering circuit may be part of a driveline for a vehicle.