Patent ID: 6055853
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
An instrumented data acquisition system for monitoring performance of a power steering system of a mobile vehicle with an engine and a frame which includes a driver side wheel and a passenger side wheel each mounted on wheel spindles pivotably mounted to opposite ends of an axle through king pins, a driver operated steering wheel connected to a steering gear through an intermediate steering shaft, a driver side pitman arm functionally engaged to the steering gear so as to pivotably rotate upon intermediate steering shaft rotation and connected to a drag link in turn pivotably connected to a steering arm secured to the driver side wheel spindle to control movement of the driver side wheel, and a power steering reservoir engaged to a power steering fluid pump for supplying fluid to the steering gear, comprising:(a) a data collection computer means for collecting data input and displaying output data;(b) a steering wheel rotation measuring assembly;(c) a driver side pitman arm angle measuring device;(d) a passenger side wheel turn angle measuring device; and(e) a driver side wheel turn angle measuring device.