A hydraulic fluid reservoir apparatus for an automotive power steering system
comprises
a filter chamber, and a filter parallel to a vertical axis and dividing the filter
chamber into an upstream region and a downstream region. The reservoir apparatus
also includes a stagnant fluid well apart from the filter chamber, and a de-aeration
zone overlying the filter chamber. A vent is provided between the upstream region
and the de-aeration zone. Fluid recycled to the reservoir apparatus contains entrained
gas. The filter separates the gas from the fluid within the upstream region, whereupon
the gas is vented to the de-aeration zone and separates from the fluid circulated
to the stagnant fluid well.
