Hydraulic steering of trailer by slave and master cylinders - having equalising vessel with gas and fluid pressure separated by diaphragm

摘要

Hydraulic steering mechanism is intended for a trailing vehicle and has a cam ring on the trailer coupling, which cam actuates a double-acting master cylinder controlling slave cylinders on the rear axle. Upstream of the master cylinder an equalisation vessel is provided containing two separate chambers one of which is gas pressurized whilst the other is filled with pressurised hydraulic fluid. The vessel consists of a two-part housing with an equalisation diaphragm clamped between the two halves. There may be two valves between the vessel and the master cylinder, working in conjunction with its cam followers, which valves are in the open position when the vehicle travels in a straight line.