SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY CHARGING AND DISCHARGING A STEERING ACCUMULATOR

摘要

A system and method for selectively charging and discharging a steering accumulator are provided. One vehicle steering system includes a hydraulic pump configured provide a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for use in steering the vehicle. The steering system also includes an accumulator configured to hold pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump for use in steering the vehicle in case of need. The steering system includes a charging circuit configured to selectively allow the hydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic pump to the accumulator based on a fluid pressure applied by a first pilot and a second pilot. The steering system includes a charging bypass circuit configured to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow to a steering control unit and to bypass the charging circuit. The hydraulic pump supplies fluid to the charging circuit and the bypass circuit.