Hydroline Powersteering BV

People nowadays are so used to power steering that they would probably have a hard time parking and making certain maneuvers without it. The first vehicles didn't have it and some former communist brands, such as Dacia or Lada, lacked power steering until quite recently. Assisted steering is not such a big deal at high speeds, but it becomes vital for stationary vehicles or for low speeds.

The first power steering patent goes back to 1932 in the United States, while some 22 years later another inventor files a similar patent, only this time in Canada. The first vehicle to incorporate the system was a 1951 Chrysler Imperial, their power steering being called Hydraguide.

Hydraulic Power Systems

As most units today, the Hydraguide was also fully hydraulic, which means that the pressure was provided by a pump powered by the engine. The heart of the hydraulic system is a double-acting cylinder which is controlled by valves operated by the steering wheel. The cylinder exerts force on the steering gear, which acts upon the steering axis. The force applied to the steering wheels is directly proportional to the force applied by the driver to the steering wheels.

1951 Chrysler Imperial

One of the problems early hydraulic designs had was that the hydraulic assistance was constant, regardless of the speeds vehicles traveled at. As previously mentioned, the amount of assistance is considerably smaller at high speeds than at low speeds.

The first manufactured that tried to change this was Citroen with the DIRAVI - DIRection A Rappel AsserVI – system, also known as Varipower. Maximum power was provided at low speeds and it was reduced as the velocity increased. The first model to incorporate this system was the Citroen SM, in 1970.

The regular hydraulic system that provides assistance when steering the wheels is supplemented by a second one which tries to bring back the steering wheel to the initial position. The DIRAVI requires little physical effort, but even with the second hydraulic system aiming to give steering a more real feel, it still doesn't provide enough feedback to the driver.

Electric Power Systems

With the stringent need for lower fuel consumption, manufacturers came up with another power steering system that relies completely on electricity. The electric power steering replaces the car's engine with an electric motor to drive the steering mechanism. The motor is attached to the steering rack via gear mechanism, while a microprocessor controls steering dynamics and driver effort.

The key component of the electric power systems is the steering sensor located on the input shaft where it enters the gearbox housing. This sensor converts steering torque input and rotation speed into signals that are fed into the microprocessor, which controls the motor.

Electric power systems are said to have a 1-MPG advantage in fuel efficiency compared to hydraulic systems, which involve a pump that is constantly working. Opponents of the electric power systems say that they don't provide enough feedback to the driver, but this can be a very subjective matter

Electric Power Steering Scheme

Electro-Hydraulic Power Systems

Perhaps the best compromise between fully hydraulic systems and fully electric systems is the electro-hydraulic one, also known as a hybrid. The force to steer the wheels is provided by a hydraulic system, but this is fed by an electric motor and not by the engine itself. The pump driving the hydraulic system can be run at low speed or shut off completely to save energy.

Here's how BMW describes their electro-hydraulic system, called Servotronic.

"The Servotronic control unit adjusts the amount of steering assistance to suit the speed of the vehicle. An electromagnetic valve accurately controls the amount of force applied by the steering hydraulics, enabling outstandingly precise steering that suits your current driving situation. Conventional power steering systems, by contrast, regulate the power steering in relation to the engine's RPM.

The electromechanical steering system EPS uses an electric motor to achieve the same effect. Thanks to Servotronic, driving along narrow streets or parking becomes easier as it requires minimum effort to turn the steering wheel. The power assist progressively decreases when the vehicle speeds up, ensuring greater stability, improved precision and smoother vehicle behaviour."

After leading the Eurocup Mégane Trophy championship from the very first race, Jonathan Hirschi (TDS Racing) has for now handed the baton to Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur), just as we move into the second half of the season. But the man who is turning heads at the moment in this discipline is Dimitri Enjalbert (Boutsen Energy Racing). After claiming four wins on the trot, the Frenchman is keen to prolong his winning spree in Le Mans, and continue his impressive chase on the two overall leaders.

As we move into the second half of this Eurocup Mégane Trophy 2009 season, the tables are turning. Whereas it was Jonathan Hirschi who put his brand on the early part of the season, with three wins in four races, the Swiss driver hasn’t shown the same form since Budapest while his rivals have been getting points on the board.

After being out of contention in Barcelona and absent from Spa-Francorchamps, Dimitri Enjalbert is now catching up fast by putting together a series of back-to-back wins. With two successes in Hungary and two more in England, plus two poles, it looks like nothing can stop the French driver. He has scored sixty one points in four races and he has the title back in his sights. However, there’s a long road ahead and Mike Verschuur still has a twenty-five point lead.

Even if the Dutch driver has only won one race up to now - at Barcelona - his regularity is making all the difference. Apart from when he had to retire at Spa-Francorchamps, Verschuur has always finished on the podium and has chalked up five second-place finishes. From his newly won position at the head of the Eurocup Mégane Trophy overall standings, his goal now of course is to increase his lead. There may be a hitch though, because the McGregor by Equipe Verschuur driver has never driven on the Le Mans circuit, unlike some of his closest rivals. Dimitri Enjalbert, in particular, is very much at home in Le Mans. As an alumni of the FFSA driver development scheme (now with Auto Sport Academy), based inside the confines of the Le Mans circuit, the Parisian knows the track like the back of his hand. In fact, last season he took two pole positions and a win there.

Several outsiders are also liable to mix it with the leaders. Fabrice Walfisch (Team Lompech Sport), who took his first podium finish of the season in Eurocup Mégane Trophy at Silverstone, will also be in his element at Le Mans. As he looks for a first win in this discipline, he will find – in front of a big crowd expected at this season’s Le Mans round – an ideal setting to go for his long-awaited first win. French drivers Pierre Thiriet (TDS Racing), Matthieu Cheruy (Tech 1 Racing) and Antony Tardieu (Tech 1 Racing) will also be wanting to shine for their home leg.

In the Gentlemen Drivers category, the battle also promises to be fiercely contested. Hoevert Vos (Verschuur Autosport) is closing the gap on Jean-Philippe Madonia (TDS Racing) little-by-little. Madonia still has a ten-point lead, but both men should be looking over their shoulders as Jeroen Schothorst (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur), Bernard Delhez (Team Lompech Sport) and Jean-Charles Miginiac (Team Lompech Sport) all threaten to get back into contention. These three drivers have all been regular and quick this season. They are all within one point of each other and will be doing their best to move up the standings with their sights on the leading pair.

At Le Mans more than ever, Margot Laffite and Marlène Broggi will be turning heads. The two women share the wheel of one of the cars entered by Boutsen Energy Racing, and are constantly progressing. Without too much pressure on their shoulders, the two Eurocup Mégane Trophy women drivers will be looking to score their first points in front of an enthusiastic crowd always ready to lend their support.

SILVERSTONE, 04 JULI 2009 – Mike Verschuur heeft vanmiddag op het circuit van Silverstone (Engeland) een knappe tweede plaats behaald. Ondanks dat hij gedurende de race te kampen had met een afgebroken rolbar behield hij zijn tweede plaats goed vast. In de tussenstand om het kampioenschap van de Eurocup Mégane Trophy deed de inwoner uit Amsterdam eveneens goede zaken. Doordat hij zijn directe concurrent om het kampioenschap (Jonathan Hirschi) achter zich wist te houden, is hij de Zwitser tot op 1 punt genaderd. Na zeven races heeft Verschuur totaal 75 punten bij elkaar gereden. Morgen vertrekt hij wederom van de tweede startplaats en hoopt zodoende de nieuwe leider te worden.  

VRIJE TRAININGEN EN KWALIFICATIES:Verschuur zag op vrijdagmorgen de eerste 60 minuten durende vrije training vrijwel letterlijk in het water vallen nadat het flink begon te regenen op het 5.140 meter lange circuit. Omdat het circuit van Silverstone nog onbekend terrein was, zocht de rijder met startnummer 21 de limieten van het circuit op. Hij leerde de natte baan in sneltempo kennen en wist zijn tijden telkens verder aan te scherpen. Hij eindigde de eerste sessie keurig als derde. De tweede training werd onder droge weersomstandigheden verreden. Verschuur begon met oude banden aan de sessie en liet tegen het einde van de training nieuwe banden onder zijn bolide monteren. Met een tijd van 1:54.651 was hij uiteindelijk iedereen te snel af.  

In de kwalificatie van zaterdagmorgen probeerde de rijder van McGregor by Equipe Verschuur de stijgende lijn door te trekken. Toen iedereen de pitstraat had verlaten zocht Verschuur als laatste deelnemer het asfalt op. Hij kwam op de baan al snel Bernhard ten Brinke tegen en besloot samen met zijn teamgenoot om de kwalificatie te doen. Verschuur was in zijn vliegende ronde bijzonder snel in de eerste sector, maar verloor door verkeer op de baan kostbare tijd in de tweede en derde sector. Verschuur pakte keurig de tweede plaats achter Dimitri Enjalbert voor de eerste race. Oud-Formule 1-coureur en regerend GP2 kampioen Giorgio Pantano werd derde. Ook met zijn op-één-na snelste rondetijd, bepalend voor de startopstelling voor de tweede race op zondagmiddag, verzekerde Verschuur zich van de tweede plaats.  

RACE 01:Toen de startlichten op zaterdagmiddag werden gedoofd kwam Verschuur niet helemaal goed van zijn plaats. Hij verloor direct een positie aan Pantano en ging als derde de eerste bocht in. Verschuur hield het hoofd echter koel en wist in de derde ronde zijn Italiaanse opponent weer te passeren. Daarna lag de focus weer op Enjalbert, maar hij kon de leider in de wedstrijd niet bijhouden. Halverwege de 22 ronden tellende race kwam Verschuur naar binnen voor zijn verplichte pitstop. Wanneer hij daarna weer zijn weg vervolgde zocht de 21-jarige coureur de aansluiting met Enjalbert. Echter een afgebroken rolbar gooide roet in het eten. De auto van Verschuur was bijna niet meer te besturen waardoor het gat met Enjalbert nog groter werd. Ook Fabrice Walfisch wist te profiteren en kwam met rassenschrede dichterbij aan Verschuur. De Nederlander behield gelukkig voldoende marge en kwam als tweede aan de meet. 

MIKE VERSCHUUR: “Ik ben zeker blij met de tweede plaats. Ik had hier nog nooit gereden, maar de trainingen en kwalificaties verliepen geheel naar wens. In de beginfase van de race had ik last van onderstuur maar naarmate de banden op temperatuur kwamen, was het probleem verdwenen. Echter na de pitstop voelde de auto niet goed aan. Het bleek een afgebroken rolbar waardoor de auto aan de achterkant heel onstabiel werd. Gelukkig ben ik op het podium terecht gekomen en ook nog voor Jonathan Hirschi geëindigd. Ik heb nog slechts een achterstand van 1 punt. Morgen hoop ik hem te passeren in het kampioenschap!”  

UITSLAG RACE 01 EUROCUP MÉGANE TROPHY – SILVERSTONE, 04.07.200901. Dimitri Enjalbert (FRA), Boutsen Energy Racing, 22 ronden, 43:17.16802. Mike Verschuur (NED), McGregor by Equipe Verschuur, + 09.791s03. Fabrice Walfisch (FRA), Team Lompech Sport, + 11.486s04. Jonathan Hirschi (SUI), TDS Racing, + 15.763s 

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