Patent ID: 6176342
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
Apparatus comprising:a hydraulic fluid power cylinder;a piston in said power cylinder;a steering rack fixed to said piston, said rack extending outward through an open end of said power cylinder;an annular hydraulic fluid seal received over said rack in dynamic sealing contact with said rack, said seal defining a fixed end of a variable volume hydraulic fluid chamber extending from said piston to said seal;a housing part directly mounted on said power cylinder, said housing part being separate from said seal and supporting said seal at a location spaced outward from said open end of said power cylinder and adjacently supporting said seal within said fluid chamber, whereby said housing part defines an end section of said fluid chamber extending outward from said open end of said power cylinder to said seal; anda rack sleeve located between said housing part and said rack, said rack sleeve having a surface in axial sliding contact with said rack,said housing part having a surface in an interference fit with said rack sleeve.