Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the roll of a motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises an anti-roll bar, a hydraulic circuit, an actuator, and a pair of valves. The hydraulic circuit includes a pump and a power steering rack disposed downstream from the pump. The actuator is coupled between the anti-roll bar and an unsprung portion of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the actuator comprises a piston having a wrist pin rotatable therein and engaged with the anti-roll bar, the piston being reciprocable against a force to counteract the twisting of the anti-roll bar. The first valve is situated in the hydraulic circuit upstream of the power steering rack and selectively establishes a pressure differential thereacross. Preferably, the first valve comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a spool disposed at least partially in the housing and axially movable therein, and a poppet floatingly mounted on an end of the spool proximate the housing inlet and axially movable with the spool. The second, directional valve has first and second positions, the first position putting a first port of the actuator in communication with an upstream side of the first valve and a second port of the actuator in communication with an downstream side of the first valve. In the second position, the directional valve puts the first port in communication with the downstream side of the first valve and the second port in communication with the upstream side of the first valve.

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First Claim