Abstract: A method and system for optimizing performance of vehicle control systems based on the dynamics of the specific vehicle include a sensor for sensing a predetermined parameter associated with any one of the vehicle control systems during a predetermined trigger event. A control logic determines a critical vibration mode characteristic for the vehicle control system based on the sensed parameter and operates the vehicle control system based on the determined critical vibration mode characteristic.

Abstract: A parking braking system in a vehicle not having EBS wherein, for parking braking, the brakes are arranged to be supplied with actuating fluid from a pressure source under the control of a manually operated electrical device and wherein, upon selecting parking braking by actuation of the electrical device, the brakes are arranged to be applied and mechanically locked or latched in place.

Abstract: An improve wet disc brake incorporates a two part rotating disc. One of the two parts is selectively rotatable, and the other part is constantly rotating with the rotor. The rotor carries an air supply which creates an air bearing between the constantly rotating disc portion and the selectively rotating disc portion. During non-braking operation the air bearing maintains the selectively rotating portion out of contact with the rotating portion. Fluids other than air may be used. The selectively rotating portion thus remains stationary within the wet disc brake chamber, reducing frictional losses. When braking is desired, the flow of air to the air bearing is stopped. A bias force forces the selectively rotating portion into contact with the constantly rotating portion. Then, braking does occur by operation of the stator discs to move towards contact with the rotor discs.

Abstract: A multi-disc wheel assembly for a vehicle is provided. The multi-disc wheel assembly includes a plurality of narrow discs assemblies that form a wheel assembly. The plurality of narrow disc assemblies include first and second narrow disc assemblies. A first independent drive mechanism applies a rotational force to the first narrow disc assembly to produce a first speed. A second independent drive mechanism applies a rotational force to the second narrow disc assembly to produce a second speed unequal to the first speed during a vehicle turn to minimize wheel assembly scrub.

Abstract: An device for controlling a level of lubricant in a gear housing of an automotive vehicle that has a sealed interior portion containing lubricant. A gear is rotatably mounted in the housing and rotates through the lubricant. The housing includes at least one wall secured to a bottom portion of the sealed interior portion. The wall defines a first and second space wherein the gear rotates in the first space and displaces the lubricant over the wall into the second space as the gear rotates at high speeds. The wall has an opening of a predetermined size that allows the lubricant to flow back into the first space at a rate greater than the displacement rate at low speeds and less than the displacement rate at high speeds. The gear and housing may be an axle housing, a transmission or other gears and housings.

Abstract: An improved seal for use between an eccentric shaft and a brake caliper in an air disc brake system incorporates a flexible portion between the fixed portion which is fixed to the caliper and the floating portion which is received on the shaft. The flexible portion is preferably formed of a thinner rubber area, and also extends axially outward of both the fixed and floating areas. The flexible portion facilitates skewing and axial movement of the eccentric shaft within the caliper.

Abstract: A wet disc brake and axle fluid cooling assembly is disclosed which is driven by a vehicle's axle shaft. The system comprises a brake housing, an axle shaft connected to the brake housing wherein the brake fluid can flow between the brake housing and the axle housing, an internal pump connected to the axle housing, and an external cooling tube disposed between the internal pump and the brake housing. An axle shaft is rotatingly disposed within the axle housing. A first spur gear is connected to and rotates with the axle shaft. The internal pump is comprised of an axle straight tee fitting, a pump rod rotatingly connected to the tee fitting, a propeller connected to and rotating with the pump rod that draws the fluid from either the axle housing or the brake housing, and a second spur gear that engages with the first spur gear. The axle shaft drives the pump rod as the shaft rotates, either clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system adapted to apply a brake lining to a brake rotor, and having a clearance control device for maintaining the free running clearance between the brake lining and the brake rotor during the non-braking phase, comprising an electric motor (40) for adjustment of the brake lining position relative to the brake rotor, with the adjustment being arranged to take place only during the brakes-off condition.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the temperature of an axle includes the steps of reading temperatures from an axle of a vehicle, comparing the read temperatures with expected temperatures, and sending warning signals when necessary. A temperature sensor may be used to read temperatures of the axle and send temperature signals to a control to perform computations and compare the computations with expected temperatures. Furthermore, the control may send warning signals to a display to indicate that a problem may exist.

Abstract: A supply dump valve comprises a piston (1) of substantial differential outline adapted to work in a stepped bore (2) in a housing (3). Actuation of a park brake causes the piston (1) to be exercised in response to operation of the park brake.

Abstract: A vehicle drive axle includes a differential where high pressure is delivered from a stationary source to a rotating source to actuate a differential clutch. The drive axle includes an axle housing, a first rotatable axle shaft for driving a first wheel, and a second rotatable axle shaft for driving a second wheel. The differential controls rotational speed and torque supplied to the first and second axle shafts. The differential clutch is used to selectively lock the axle shafts together when the vehicle experiences unfavorable road conditions. An actuating mechanism is used to control the differential clutch. The actuating mechanism includes a stationary piston actuated by a fluid force and a rotating piston actuated by the stationary piston. This stationary piston moves the rotating piston causing the rotating member to displace a volume of fluid to actuate the differential clutch.

Abstract: Systems are provided which retard rotation of a driveline at times associated with an engine firing pulse from an engine driving the driveline to reduce torque peaks. In one system, a control monitors rotation of a drive shaft, to provide an indication of when an engine firing pulse should occur. The control selectively closes a switch to power a coil such that the coil retards rotation of the driveline, and generates electricity for use elsewhere. In a second embodiment, circumferentially spaced magnets are mounted on a driveline and move past a coil at a selected circumferential location. The coil resists the rotation of the shaft, retarding torque peaks. The embodiments thus reduce or eliminate imbalances in rotation of the shaft due to engine firing pulses.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly includes a backing plate and a brake lining. The brake lining has an interface surface abutting the backing plate and a frictionally engaging surface that frictionally contacts a vehicle. The brake lining is provided with a temperature measuring system embedded therein which may measure the temperature directly on the frictionally engaging surface of the brake lining material by way of a heat pipe. The temperature measuring device communicates with a control that activates a signal when a predetermined abnormal degree of heat is generated on the frictionally engaging surface of the brake lining. Thus, a fault in the braking mechanism is indicated.

Abstract: A vehicle break assembly includes a sensor that detects the amount of movement of certain components within the brake assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a rotary sensor is coupled directly with the generally S-shaped cam member and provides signals that indicate the total amount of rotary movement of the cam member during breaking applications. These signals provide information indicative of the amount of slack or stroke during braking applications and provide indications of the conditions of brake linings associated with the brake shoes within the brake assembly. The sensor information preferably is communicated to a vehicle operator in a manner that indicates whether an inspection or maintenance of the braking system is advisable.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and adjusting misalignment of wheels of a vehicle while the vehicle is traveling on a road includes a sensor for sensing the number of revolutions for each of the steering wheels. A controller determines an alignment function based on the number of revolutions and compares the alignment function to an alignment threshold. The controller then detects misalignment of the steering wheels it the alignment function differs from the alignment threshold. Once misalignment is detected, an adjustment member is used to actively adjust the toe-in/toe-out position of the wheels as the vehicle travels down the road.

Abstract: An electronic braking system (WBS) suitable for commercial vehicles which tow trailers, which has on the towing vehicle, braking control of all the axles and a device for setting the braking demand for the trailer which is so adjusted as to equalize the utilization of adhesion between said towing vehicle and trailer. The system includes two adaptive control loops (30a, 30b) which are adjusted sequentially in a co-ordinated manner in order to set respectively the towing vehicle and trailer braking to levels where overall train mean decelerations approximate closely to those corresponding levels demanded by the driver and at the same time set the distribution of braking to seek to achieve equal utilization of adhesion between the tractor and trailer. The system also uses deceleration errors to sequentially adjust the two adaptive control loops.

Abstract: A drive assembly for independently driving wheels of a vehicle is disclosed. The drive assembly includes a wheel set positioned at a left or right side of the vehicle. The wheel set includes inner and outer wheels and tires associated with the inner and outer wheels. A drive mechanism, such as an electric motor, rotatably drives the inner and outer wheels. The drive assembly further includes a differential disposed between the inner and outer wheels and responds to the drive mechanism to permit one of the inner and outer wheels to rotate independent of the other of the inner and outer wheels. That is, upon a turn of the vehicle, the differential permits the inner and outer wheels to realize different rotational speeds as the inner and outer wheels are being rotatably driven by the drive mechanism. As such, scrubbing or dragging of the tires associated with the wheels is eliminated.

Abstract: An improved method of removing heat from a lubricant in an axle housing includes the use of a deflector in the axle housing. The deflector is positioned on a cover secured to the housing bowl. Lubricant is thrown against the deflector by a ring gear in the bowl. The lubricant is directed by the deflector outwardly to the axle ends of the axle assembly. In this way, the lubricant is exposed to a greater surface area, and the cooling efficiency of this system is greatly improved.

Abstract: A multi-stage wet disc brake assembly has a first actuator is supported within a housing and moveable toward point of friction discs. A second actuator coacts with the first actuator and is moveable relative to the first actuator toward the friction discs. One of the actuators reduces the running clearance between the friction discs and the other of the actuators forces the friction discs together to slow rotation of a rotatable member relative to the housing when the rotatable member is being driven.

Abstract: An isolator to prevent transmitted vibrations includes a ring which fits within a shaft opening of a housing. A bearing is received within the isolator and a shaft is received within the bearing. The vibrations are decoupled from a vibration transmission path by the different material of the isolator. The isolator is preferably manufactured of a rigid laminate material dissimilar to the housing material. Another embodiment of the present invention integrates the isolator directly into the bearing assembly. By manufacturing the outer member of the bearing assembly of the laminated material, the outer member similarly breaks the transmission path of vibrations without the need of the additional member. Noise is thereby substantially prevented from reaching, and from being amplified by, the housing. This greatly reduces the resulting noise and vibration.