DAMPER VALVE FOR HYDRAULIC POWER-ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM

摘要

A damper valve (70) located between a control valve (18) and a power steering motor (22) in a hydraulic power-assisted steering system (10). The damper valve (70) comprises a housing (72) having axially opposite first and second end portions (76 and 78) and an intermediate portion (80) interposed between the first and second end portions (76 and 78). The first end portion (76) is for fluid communication with the control valve (18) and the second end portion (78) is for fluid communication with the power steering motor (22). A flow restricting element (114) is located within the housing (72) and is movable through portions of the housing (72) including the intermediate portion (80) by fluid flow through the housing (72). The damper valve (70) further includes a biasing element (106) for restraining movement of the flow restricting element (114) toward the first end portion (76) of the housing (72). An orifice (116) is formed between the flow restricting element (114) and the housing (72) for restricting fluid flow greater than a predetermined amount through the housing (72) from the second end portion (78) toward the first end portion (76).