Fluid Flow

Operation

Steering in the straight-ahead position

With the steering in the straight-ahead position:
- The valve restrictions are balanced.
- Equal pressure is present on both sides of the piston.








Fluid Flow Circuit


Turning the steering wheel clockwise

When the steering is turned clockwise:
- The rack / piston assembly of the operating cylinder move to the right.
- Pressurized fluid is supplied to the left piston chamber to provide power assistance.
- The three control ports of the rotary distributor are moved in a clockwise direction so that the inlet ports (16) are opened further.
- As this occurs, the inlet ports (15) close to prevent the fluid reaching axial grooves (17) in the control sleeve.
- With the valve in the operating position pressurized fluid flows through the inlet ports (16) to the lower radial groove (12) in the control sleeve.
- From the control sleeve, pressurized fluid flows to the left piston chamber to provide hydraulic assistance for the piston movement.
- The closed control slot (23) prevents fluid flowing back to the reservoir.
- The oil is forced out of the right piston chamber through the upper radial groove (11) in the sleeve to the return slots (19) in the rotary distributor.
- Webs (22) on the rotary distributor prevent the fluid flowing directly to the return grooves (20), which are always open in the direction of the control sleeve.

Turning the steering wheel counter-clockwise

When the steering wheel is turned counter-clockwise:
- The rack and piston of the operating cylinder move to the left.
- Pressurized fluid is supplied to the right piston chamber to provide power assistance.