Abstract: A manifold assembly for pneumatically interconnecting a brake booster to an engine and to an electrically-driven vacuum pump. A manifold housing has an engine port pneumatically communicable with the engine, a separate booster port pneumatically communicable with the brake booster, and an orifice pneumatically communicable with the vacuum pump inlet. An engine check valve substantially blocks pneumatic flow from the engine port to the booster port. A vacuum-pump check valve substantially blocks pneumatic flow from the engine port to the vacuum pump outlet.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure intensifier for operating a vehicle braking system under conditions that are not conducive to the proper operation of a power assist for the braking system. The hydraulic pressure intensifier has an intensifier inlet fluidly connected to a master cylinder and an intensifier outlet fluidly connected to a wheel cylinder. A bypass valve has an input and output fluidly connected to the intensifier inlet and the intensifier outlet, respectively. With normal power assisted braking operation, the bypass valve is open and the master cylinder is fluidly connected to the wheel cylinder via the bypass valve. In a manual or nonpower assisted braking operation, the bypass valve is closed; and the hydraulic pressure intensifier is fluidly connected between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder.

Abstract: A power booster for a brake system including a housing having an interior and a pair of diaphragms separating the interior of the housing into three chambers. A power piston assembly is coupled for movement with the diaphragms and includes an output member. A reaction member is coupled to the power piston assembly, and an input member is adapted to be coupled to a movable brake pedal. An air valve assembly moves between open and closed positions to selectively admit atmospheric air into selected ones of the chambers. This induces an output force on the diaphragm that is transferred to the output member of the power piston assembly. The triple booster adds an additional working chamber with an added approximately 45% increase in power boost. The triple power booster retains many of the same components as prior dual or tandem boosters to provide an economical solution to increase booster output without the need for new tuning procedures or added booster diameter.

Abstract: An air valve assembly is provided for a power piston in a vacuum brake booster including an input element with a hollow axial extension. The hollow axial extension includes a retaining portion. An output element is provided that includes an input extension slidably positioned within the hollow axial extension. The input extension includes an outer groove formed thereon and a ring member is disposed in the outer groove, the ring positioned adjacent the retaining portion to prevent separation of the input element and outer element.

Abstract: A power booster for a brake system including a housing having an interior and a diaphragm separating the interior of the housing into at least two chambers. A power piston is coupled for movement with the diaphragm and includes an output member. A reaction member is coupled to the power piston, and an input member is adapted to be coupled to a movable brake pedal. An air valve assembly moves between open and closed positions to selectively admit atmospheric air into at least one of the chambers. This induces an output force on the diaphragm that is transferred to the output member of the power piston. The air valve assembly includes a portion adapted to engage the reaction member in response to an input force applied to the input member and is length adjustable between the input member and the reaction member.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure intensifier for operating a vehicle braking system under conditions that are not conducive to the proper operation of a power assist for the braking system. The hydraulic pressure intensifier has an intensifier inlet fluidly connected to a master cylinder and an intensifier outlet fluidly connected to a wheel cylinder. A bypass valve has an input and output fluidly connected to the intensifier inlet and the intensifier outlet, respectively. With normal power assisted braking operation, the bypass valve is open and the master cylinder is fluidly connected to the wheel cylinder via the bypass valve. In a manual or nonpower assisted braking operation, the bypass valve is closed; and the hydraulic pressure intensifier is fluidly connected between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder.

Abstract: An air valve assembly is provided for a power piston in a vacuum brake booster including an input element with a hollow axial extension. The hollow axial extension includes a retaining portion. An output element is provided that includes an input extension slidably positioned within the hollow axial extension. The input extension includes an outer groove formed thereon and a ring member is disposed in the outer groove, the ring positioned adjacent the retaining portion to prevent separation of the input element and outer element.

Abstract: An integrated master cylinder and vacuum power booster provides a brake apply system wherein the master cylinder and power booster are structurally and functionally combined together to provide a uniquely packaged system. The integral system includes a master cylinder housing having a tubular extension that carries the power booster housing with at least two operating chambers. A power piston is movable by variable pressure levels between the two chambers. The power piston cooperates with a translating element carried within the tubular extension to communicate sliding movement of the power piston to the master cylinder piston.

Abstract: A guide rod extends longitudinally through the power piston of a vacuum power booster providing lateral support thereto and tying the master cylinder housing to a bracket on the rear of the power booster housing. A guide rod provides a means of positively laterally supporting the power piston, control valve and push rods of the power booster thereby providing the ability to reduce the relative supportive strength of the housing, housing divider and piston bearings.

Abstract: Anti-lock/traction control braking system for a vehicle is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a master cylinder, a brake, a controller providing a signal when a wheel condition is within preset parameters, an isolating value to separate the brake from the master cylinder means when the braking system goes into an anti-lock braking or traction control mode of operation, an anti-lock braking actuator including a bore fluidly connecting with the brake and having a piston reciprocally mounted within and a first motor responsive to a signal given by the controller for powering the anti-lock braking piston. A traction control actuator is also provided having fluid connections with the master cylinder and the anti-lock braking actuator. The traction control actuator has at least one piston reciprocally mounted within a bore.

Abstract: A vehicle braking actuated traction control system is provided which includes a bored frame fluidly connected with a master cylinder and a wheel brake. A spring biased plunger with a sealing head slidably mounted within the bore isolates the bore from the master cylinder by axial movement of the plunger in a first direction. A piston operatively associated with the plunger is sealably slidably mounted within the bore for creating a variable control volume in the bore in fluid communication with the wheel brake. The piston is connected with the plunger via a spring which biases the plunger away from the piston. A nut is fixably connected with the piston and a drive screw threadably engaged with the piston is reversibly powered by an electric motor which is responsive to the signals given by a controller which is cognizant of a vehicle wheel condition.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having a wheel lock control arrangement with isolation valves, solenoid, and brake control valves for the system. In one arrangement, each wheel brake and isolation valve has its own solenoid and control valve. Additionally, the isolation valve is configured in a manner to prevent premature drop out from isolation and to prevent any flow from a master cylinder brake apply pressure circuit to a pump pressure circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having a wheel lock control arrangement with isolation valves for each wheel brake and either three or four solenoid and brake control valves for the system. In one arrangement, each wheel brake and isolation valve has its own solenoid and control valve. In other arrangements two front wheel brakes have separate solenoid controlled operating valves and the two rear wheel brakes have a single solenoid controlling operating valve controlling both isolation valves. Traction control is incorporated into the system so that a wheel brake required braking for traction control purposes may be applied by pump pressure without the vehicle brakes themselves having to be applied through service braking.

Abstract: An O-ring is received in a groove having only an arcuate portion thereof operative to act as a check valve, with the arcuate portion being movable into a chordal recess so that it does not provide full circumferential sealing engagement in the area of the arcuate portion, allowing fluid pressure or flow therethrough so long as the arcuate portion is so displaced. The resilient character of the O-ring urges the arcuate portion back to the closed position along a tapered ramp surface of the recess into which it was displaced when there is no pressure differential acting across the O-ring. Movement of the O-ring support member relative to a fixed surface normally sealed by the O-ring and net pressure forces on the O-ring may also tend to return the O-ring to the closed position in one direction of movement.