Stabilization of a Hydro Mechanical Steering System

The stability of a hydromechanical steering system on a rough-terrain vehicle was investigated in an effort to eliminate limit cycle oscillations and an insensitivity to small perturbations of the steering wheel. Because of constraints imposed upon the problem, the basic system configuration was considered to be fixed. A linear analysis of the system was adequate to indicate possible components for modification, and nonlinear analyses of the indicated components proved to be accurate design tools. The problem was solved by redesigning two valves and a feedback linkage.