Wes,

I don't know how the current technology works for sure so I'm assuming we
have a constant volume pump dumping flow over a relief valve.

That's a depressing thought, efficiency wise



If so, then
electrics might make sense. At highway speeds with normal inputs to stay in
one's lane power assisted steering isn't needed with most vehicles. I'm
pretty sure your old enough to have operated a vehicle without power
steering.

Hey, watch it! My 90 Sentra does not have power steering, and its
fine. My 96 F150 has power steering. Returning home from work involves
getting the dog out of the garage and then putting the car into it. The
driveway slopes, and I quickly realized that I did not need to crank the
car for the trip. I once tried something similar with the truck, and
found all the power stuff to be almost essential to "put it where I
wanted it." Granted, that was not at highway speed, but whatever would
replace it would have to be more friendly should the assist fail.


With an electric system a torque sensor on the steering input shaft would
turn on the hydraulics for a few moments during low speed steering
operations or a need to make rapid wheel angle changes at speed.

I wonder if a variable displacement pump would be equally effective?

I have no idea. The electric idea seems reasonable, provided it is a
fail-safe assist and not "crash by wire."

Bill