Power steering pump having intake channels with enhanced flow characteristics and/or a pressure balancing fluid communication channel

Power steering pump having intake channels with enhanced flow characteristics and/or a pressure balancing fluid communication channel. A power steering pump (22b; 22d) having a plate (38) disposed between a first surface (62) and an intake chamber (50) wherein an intake flow channel (76) defined by the first surface (62) is in fluid communication with the intake chamber (50) through an opening (56, 58). The intake flow channel (76) is configured to direct fluid flow through the plate opening (56, 58) into the intake chamber at a location through the plate opening (56, 58) that is intermediateand spaced from the two terminal ends (60) of the plate opening. A power steering pump having a plate (38) disposed between a surface and an intake chamber wherein a pair of intake flow channels (68,70; 80, 82) in fluid communication with the intake chambers through plate opening (56, 58). A pressure balancing fluid communication channel (106) extends between the pair of intake flow channels to provide fluid communication