Leonard William Engler

US Patent:

6382343, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Apr 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/064864

Inventors:

Leonard W. Engler - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B62D 506

US Classification:

180417, 285305, 285364, 411523, 411524

Abstract:

A power steering apparatus ( ) includes a conduit ( ) through which a flow of power steering fluid is conducted and a housing ( ) having a chamber ( ) which holds power steering fluid. A connector assembly ( ) connects the conduit ( ) with the housing ( ). The connector assembly ( ) includes a base ( ) which is fixedly connected with the housing ( ) and a clip ( ) which interconnects the base and the conduit ( ). The clip ( ) has a pilot portion ( ) with cam surfaces ( and ) which engage a projection ( ) on the conduit ( ) to press the conduit into an opening ( ) in the base ( ) during connection of the conduit with the base. The clip ( ) has a retainer portion ( ) which cooperates with the base ( ) and the projection ( ) on the conduit ( ) to compress a seal ( ) between the projection on the conduit and the base when the conduit is connected with the housing ( ).

US Patent:

6536328, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Apr 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/844721

Inventors:

Leonard W. Engler - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

F15B 1522

US Classification:

91443, 91447, 1375195, 138 46

Abstract:

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

US Patent:

60764171, Jun 20, 2000

Filed:

Jul 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/123575

Inventors:

Leonard W. Engler - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

F16H 3500

US Classification:

74388PS

Abstract:

A rack guide (30) in a rack and pinion steering gear housing (12) comprises a cylindrical structure having a peripheral wall (42), an end wall (52), and an inner wall (71). The peripheral wall (42) has an outer surface (40) with a contour complementary to an inner surface (44) of the housing (12). The end wall (52) has a rack guide surface (54) configured to engage the rack (14) in line contact along a first straight line (57) parallel to the longitudinal axis (17) of the rack (14). The inner wall (71) has a linear configuration adjoining the end wall (52) along a second straight line (101) parallel to the first straight line (57).

US Patent:

51815818, Jan 26, 1993

Filed:

Feb 8, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/652584

Inventors:

Leonard W. Engler - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B62D 522

US Classification:

180148

Abstract:

A bushing and a seal member are disposed within a tubular housing partially defining the fluid chamber of a fluid power rack and pinion vehicle steering gear. The steering gear rack is axially movable within the chamber and extends axially through the seal and the bushing. The bushing supports the rack for axial movement in the tubular housing. The inner seal surface of the seal member sealingly engages the rack. The outer seal surface of the seal member sealingly engages the cylinder wall. The seal member and the retaining ridge have interdigitated portions which are urged into interlocking engagement by the cylinder wall.

US Patent:

59377038, Aug 17, 1999

Filed:

Apr 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/844032

Inventors:

Leonard W. Engler - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B62D 120
F16H 104

US Classification:

74498

Abstract:

A rack guide (150) transmits a preloading force from a spring (36) to a steering rack (14) in a rack and pinion steering gear housing (12). The rack guide (150) is a cylindrical structure having an outer peripheral wall surface (154) with a cylindrical contour complementary to a cylindrical inner surface (14) of the housing (12), and further having an end wall surface (158) with a cylindrical contour complementary to a cylindrical surface (56) of the rack (14). The cylindrical structure (150) has relatively movable parts including circumferentially separate segments (170, 172), each of which defines a respective segmental portion of the outer peripheral wall surface (154). The relatively movable parts of the cylindrical structure (150) further include a flexible web (190) which interconnects and supports an adjacent pair of segments (170, 172) for movement relative to each other.

US Patent:

61195502, Sep 19, 2000

Filed:

Sep 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/149871

Inventors:

Leonard W. Engler - Rochester Hills MI
Brian K. Saylor - Leonard MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

G05G 300
F16B 300

US Classification:

74588

Abstract:

A linkage component (22) for a vehicle includes a rod portion (60) which extends between opposite end portions (56 and 58) which are connected with the vehicle. The rod portion (60) of the linkage component (22) has a seam (64) which is held in a closed condition by interlocking projections (72) and recesses (78). The linkage component (22) is formed from a single piece of sheet metal.