Patent ID: 7484588

Claim:
A hydraulic power steering apparatus for a vehicle having steerable road-engaging wheels, said apparatus comprising: a hydraulic power steering gear for turning the steerable wheels of the vehicle; a rotatable vehicle steering wheel; said steering gear including a closed center valve operatively connected with the steering wheel and fluidly connected to a fluid source, and a fluid motor for turning the steerable road-engaging wheels, said closed center valve having an open position allowing the flow of hydraulic fluid from the fluid source to the fluid motor to effect turning of the steerable wheels; and said closed center valve having a closed position blocking the flow of hydraulic fluid to the fluid motor from the fluid source when no turning of the steerable wheels is underway, said closed center valve being moved from said closed position to said open position by movement of said steering wheel; and an electric motor operatively connected to said steering wheel for, when activated, resisting rotation of said steering wheel to provide steering feel to the vehicle driver and a controller controlling said motor to modulate force applied to said steering wheel upon initial opening of said closed center valve.