Hydraulic steering mechanism

Image via Wikipedia

Although, electric system assistance is introduced in most of the vehicles now, the basic system for power steering developed mechanically, was also an ingenious creation. The working of this system can be understood in three stages, explained as follows.

Power Steering Pump Pulley
The pumps used in this process are attached or connected to the pump casings designed to support the structure. These pumps are nothing but pulley systems, which form a round structure with small grooves on their sides. A runner belt and pulley arrangement is interlocked and work in tandem by power supplied due to the spinning of the crankshaft. This crankshaft is the core of the engine power delivery system for pumps. These pumps consist of rotor mechanism that rotates rapidly, and thus pressurizes the fluid driving the power steering system. Electric pumping is used alternatively, avoiding the use of engine and making the system more fuel efficient.

The power steering fluid is propelled out of the pump by the fast rotating action of the rotor. The pressure regulator ensures that a pressurized fluid reaches the steering mechanism, where it acts as a lubricant and also reduces the heating effect of the system. The power steering mechanism and the gears located in the power steering gear box are operated on the power supplied by the pressurized liquid.

Power Steering Gear Box
The gear system used for power steering consists of either of two functions, rack and pinion or recirculating ball type, out of which the former is used most commonly. The pinion is connected firmly to the steering shaft, which is nothing but the mechanism attached to the steering wheel. The fluid enters either of the right or left side of the arrangement, as directed by the valves. The pinion is attached to the steering shaft by means of a torsion bar.

Related articles

• What to Do When Car is Leaking Power Steering Fluid (brighthub.com)
• How Rack and Pinion Power Steering Works (brighthub.com)
• Checking power steering fluid a major concern (slideshare.net)

Steering system for boats patent

A Voice from the Truth- & Justice-Seekers, who sit between all chairs, because they are not part of organized white-collar or no-collar-crime in Somalia or overseas, and who neither benefit from global naval militarization, from the illegal fishing and dumping in Somali waters or the piracy of merchant vessels, nor from the booming insurance business or the exorbitant ransom-, risk-management- or security industry, while neither the protection of the sea, the development of fishing communities nor the humanitarian assistance to abducted seafarers and their families is receiving the required adequate attention, care and funding.

Related articles

• Fun Boats Which Don't Require Boat Insurance (boatinsurance.org)
• Pirates sentenced in Seychelles (bbc.co.uk)
• Uniloc USA Inc. Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit against Sony America, McAfee, Activision and Quark (eon.businesswire.com)
• Cook who helped pirates' hostages now in danger (sfgate.com)

Boat steering system

When buying a used pontoon boat always remember the old adage about buyer beware. With that said, there are many reasons to buy a used pontoon boat rather than a new boat. First and foremost, buying a used pontoon boat means you are going to spend less money. Second, there is often far more room for negotiating the price when buying a used pontoon boat. Follow these guidelines and you should have a happy boat buying experience. If the pontoon boat is on a trailer you’ll be able to take a walk around the boat and inspect the pontoons and make sure they are in sound condition. Find out how many hours are on the engine and ask the owner if they can provide receipts for any work done on the boat, including engine repairs, steering maintenance and any work on the pontoons.

Marine Survey

A survey provides the opportunity to discover any problems, determine the condition of the pontoon boat and see if everything works properly. A survey is frequently required if you are seeking finance for the vessel and is often required by an insurance company. The buyer pays for the survey and for having the boat hauled out of the water. If the survey turns up any hidden problems you may be able to negotiate further on the final sale price. Always choose an independent marine surveyor, and always have the pontoon boat surveyed both in and out of the water.

Pontoon Boat Insurance

Insurance for your pontoon boat can be a large expense, however, boat insurance is generally less expensive if you choose a high deductible, your boat is well-supplied with safety equipment, there are no fuel burning appliances on board and you have a clean insurance record. Insure your pontoon boat immediately, even if the boat is not in the water yet.

 

Related articles

• Tips for buying a boat: Be prepared so you stay afloat (pennlive.com)
• Party on the Pontoon Boat (boatinsurance.org)

Outboard steering system

Any body considering purchasing a boat should have a marine survey before they do.What ever the type of boat whether it be a sailing yacht a sports power boat or a motor cruiser a pre purchase survey is essential. Some times the surveyor will reveal some faults that may be so serious in terms of cost and time to remedy that the proposed buyer may no longer wish to proceed with the purchase.
A survey report will usually contain some factual detail such as the name and make and the type of construction together with the dimensions and production number if available. The report will also set out the scope of the survey as to whether it was limited in scope in any way such as to the hull and bulkheads only.
This can happen if the buyer is fully satisfied with all operating systems of the vessel as they have checked them out themselves but need some professional input on on the hull and bulkheads. Others may want a full survey of all aspects of the boat and this is probably the best choice for the average buyer.

Related articles

• Will these controls work on my 1985 15 hp Evinrude motor? (ask.metafilter.com)
• Our outboard brains (kottke.org)

Hydraulic steering system patent

An early glimpse of the 21st century automobile came not from Henry Ford or a formula one pit lane, but from the pen of Jules Verne. "The energy of tomorrow is water broken down into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity," he wrote in The Mysterious Island in 1874. "These elements will secure the earth's power supply for an indefinite period."

After more than a century of the internal combustion engine, car manufacturers are now ploughing billions into developing alternative fuel technologies to reduce depen dence on finite oil supplies. The most promising contenders borrow from Verne's vision, using hydrogen fuel cells - a technology discovered in 1839 - to turn the wheels and leave nothing but water vapour in their wake.

The need to rethink the car is long overdue. America's 210m vehicles spew almost 1.5bn tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every year and, according to a US environmental protection agency report, the latest models average little more than 20 miles to the gallon - the worst showing since 1980. Even George Bush, diehard Texan oilman, acknowledges that identifying workable alternative fuel sources has become imperative.

Now, with everybody from American "sports utility vehicle" nuts to Mexico City cab drivers likely to be bowling along in eco-friendly vehicles by 2010, a bewildering array of technologies is emerging, each claiming to revolutionise the automobile.

Related articles

• Ann Arbor, MI gets first four hydraulic hybrid recycling trucks (green.autoblog.com)
• Eaton hydraulic hybrid system debuts in Michigan (reuters.com)

Hydraulic steering system

This is the era of swank new cars and extremely efficient engines. Hydraulic power steering, amazing tire suspension and overall a great driving experience is the order of the day. Hydraulic power steering amongst other things have made a lot of difference to the way cars are driven. So how does a power steering work and what are its components? Lets check out.

Well, hydraulic power steering is a hydraulic steering system, which reduces the steering effort on cars by exerting a hydraulic pressure, helping in turning of the wheels. This mechanism consists of a steer torque detector, controlled pressure distributor case, hydraulic booster pump, tank with a working liquid and connection hoses. Now, if the pump has developed a defect and is not working properly, the safety and security of the driver is hampered.

Changing The Power Steering Pump

1. The first thing you do is loosen the car engine drive belt and let the belt slip over the power steering pump pulley. For sucking as much as power steering fluid, use a suction pump. Disconnect the lines and fluid return hose, after placing the drain pan beneath the pump. Drain the fluid and other things totally. There could be a need to remove the air cleaner housing for reaching to the return hose.
2. For preventing the leakage, block the ends of all the lines. Detach the electric power steering pump from the engine by removing the mounting fasteners. Make sure that you pull it totally free from the car and inspect it to see if there is any glitch.
3. Now check out and measure how far is the protrusion of the pump shaft from the face of the pulley hub. That is, if the removal of the pulley is necessary for the access to the pump, which is the case with some engines.
4. This set up requires to be installed again in appropriate positioning, once the new pump is installed.
5. Now implementing the reverse removal procedure, replace power steering pump. Ensure all the fasteners are fitted properly. Now let the power steering system bleed for a few moments. Now bleeding here refers to letting out the excess air in the system and fill the appropriate liquid. Check out the repair manual for that and if there are any other issues.

Related articles

• What to Do When Car is Leaking Power Steering Fluid (brighthub.com)

Power Steering Failure

Sudden power loss is not likely to happen. In most cases, the steering gradually becomes heavier which can be considered as a warning. If you realize power steering failure too late, using all your strength, hang on to the wheel to turn it and stop the car as soon as possible.

In such a situation, its not advisable to try to rectify this car problem yourself. Any problem with a power steering, needs to be professionally inspected and fixed as soon as possible. Even if you manage to determine and troubleshoot the steering, it is most likely to be a temporary solution and it would be worse if you further complicate the problem. Read more on power steering problems.

Power Steering Failure Causes

How does power steering work? A power steering system is nothing but a hydraulic assisted mechanism as opposed to the old system, which gained its power from the driver's mechanical force. One of the most common cause of power steering failure is a leak. A fluid is the main working component of a hydraulic system. When the pressure of this fluid is incremented or decremented then this causes the mechanism to work. There is a power steering pump that works on the pressure of this fluid and the power steering lines carry the fluids to and fro. Any leakage of fluid in the pump or the line can cause the power steering to breakdown. There is another rare possibility that you may be low on power steering fluids. Read more on power steering fluid leak.

There may be two type of leaks – slow or fast leak. In case you notice whining noises in your power steering and slowly gets worsened over the next few days, it is most likely to be a slow leak. Power steering lines can be visually inspected yourself. Under the hood, start inspecting the lines from the point where the power steering fluid is filled and go all the way down. Keep looking for any signs of a cut or damage in the line or see if any fluid has been spilled on the outside. Also inspect your garage and driveway and see if any fluid has accumulated on the floor.

Related articles

What to Do When Car is Leaking Power Steering Fluid (brighthub.com)