Filling a vehicle power steering system

Abstract

A connector assembly (76) connects a power steering fluid reservoir (18) on a vehicle (10) with a bulk holding tank (44) for power steering fluid (46). Upon initiation of the operation of a vehicle engine (16), a control valve (56) is opened to enable power steering fluid (46) to flow from the bulk holding tank (44) through the connector assembly (76) into the reservoir. Operation of a power steering pump (14) on the vehicle (10) causes power steering fluid to flow from the reservoir (18) through the power steering pump (14) and reservoir (18) to the bulk holding tank through return conduits (22, 110, and 78). Air is entrained in the flow of fluid in the return conduits (22, 110 and 78). A vacuum pump (86) is advantageously connected with the bulk holding tank (44) to promote removal of air from the power steering fluid (46) returned to the bulk holding tank.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.