power steering

power steering
an automotive steering system in which the engine's power is used to supplement the driver's effort in turning the steering wheel.
[1930-35]

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      system to aid the steering of an automobile by use of a hydraulic device (driven from the engine) that amplifies the turning moment, or torque, applied to the steering wheel by the driver. To reduce the torque required from the driver as cars became heavier and tires softer, gears were introduced between the steering wheel shaft and the linkage that turns the wheels. The gears multiplied the torque supplied by the driver to a much greater torque on the shaft that drives the front wheels to right or left. A disadvantage arose, however, in the higher steering ratio required; i.e., amount of turn of the steering wheel needed.

      To make steering easy for the driver without using high steering ratios, power steering devices were introduced in the early 1930s. Most modern power-steering systems consist of hydraulic boosts applied to either the steering linkage or the steering gear. Rotation of the steering wheel activates a valve that directs oil, pressurized by a pump driven by the engine, to act on a piston. The hydraulic boost acts only while the steering wheel is moving.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • power steering — ► NOUN ▪ steering aided by power from the vehicle s engine …   English terms dictionary

  • power steering — noun uncount a system that makes it easy to turn a car with small movements of the STEERING WHEEL …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • power steering — noun automotive steering where engineer power amplifies the torque applied to the steering wheel • Syn: ↑power assisted steering • Hypernyms: ↑steering system, ↑steering mechanism * * * noun [noncount] : a steering system in cars that uses power… …   Useful english dictionary

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  • power steering — N UNCOUNT In a vehicle, power steering is a system for steering which uses power from the engine so that it is easier for the driver to steer the vehicle …   English dictionary

  • power steering — steering wheel which can be easily turned due to a mechanical aid …   English contemporary dictionary

  • power steering pump — A pump which supplies hydraulic pressure for the power steering system …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • power steering — noun Date: 1932 an automotive steering system with engine power used to amplify the torque applied at the steering wheel by the driver …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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