Steering signal conversion manifold

A conversion manifold connectable between a hydraulic fluid supply and a hydraulic cylinder, wherein said manifold is a unitary block comprising:

• (a) first and second inlet ports for receiving hydraulic fluid from said fluid supply;
• (b) first second outlet ports enabling delivery of hydraulic fluid from said manifold to said cylinder;
• (c) a first conduit connecting said first inlet port and said first outlet port;
• (d) a second conduit connecting said second inlet port and said second outlet port;
• (e) an internal chamber within said manifold housing a rotary actuator responsive to variation of flow of hydraulic fluid into said chamber, said actuator having a vane rotatable about a shaft extending through said chamber, said vane dividing said chamber into two substantially fluid-tight portions;
• (f) a third conduit connecting said first conduit to one of said chamber portions;
• (g) a fourth conduit connecting said second conduit to the other chamber portion;
• (h) a first diverter valve positionable at the juncture between said first conduit and said third conduit for selectively diverting hydraulic fluid from said first conduit into one of said chamber portions;
• (i) a second diverter valve positionable at the juncture of said second conduit and said fourth conduit for selectively diverting hydraulic fluid from said second conduit into the other of said chamber portions;
• and
• (j) signal generating means cooperating with said actuator for generating an electrical signal proportional to the change in position of said actuator.

In a hydraulic steering system having a helm pump for supplying hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic steering cylinder, and a potentiometer, amplifier and pumpset for regulating flow of hydraulic fluid to said steering cylinder, the improvement comprising providing a conversion manifold connectable between said helm pump and said steering cylinder for generating an electrical signal responsive to the variation in flow of hydraulic fluid from said helm pump, said conversion manifold comprising:

• (a) at least one inlet port for receiving hydraulic fluid from said helm pump;
• (b) at least one outlet port for enabling delivery of hydraulic fluid from said manifold to said cylinder;
• (c) a first conduit connecting said inlet port and said outlet port;
• (d) an internal chamber within said manifold in communication with said first conduit;
• (e) diverter means for selectively diverting hydraulic fluid from said first conduit into said internal chamber;
• (f) an actuator mounted within said internal chamber responsive to variation in the flow of fluid into said internal chamber, wherein said potentiometer cooperates with said actuator to generate an electrical signal proportional to the change in position of said actuator;
• and
• (g) means for transmitting said generated electrical signal to said pumpset via said amplifier to cause said pumpset to deliver hydraulic fluid to said steering signal in proportion to said generated signal.

A method for converting a manual steering system comprising a hydraulic fluid supply and a hydraulic steering cylinder to a power steering system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) connecting a conversion manifold between said hydraulic fluid supply and said hydraulic cylinder, said conversion manifold having a chamber housing an actuator responsive to the flow of hydraulic fluid into said chamber;
• (b) delivering hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic fluid supply to said manifold;
• (c) selectively diverting hydraulic fluid received from said hydraulic fluid supply into said chamber to cause displacement of said actuator;
• (d) generating an electrical signal proportional to the change in position of said actuator;
• (e) transmitting said generated signal to a pumpset having a hydraulic fluid supply;
• and
• (f) delivering hydraulic fluid from said pumpset to said steering cylinder in proportion to said generated signal.