Abstract: A crowding avoidance sub (CAS), in or above a bottom hole assembly (BHA), e.g., between drill string and BHA, sends sensor data over lines in a modified housing and flex lines accommodating and reporting relative axial motion between movable parts of a single sub, typically below a cushion, jar, or shock sub, possibly even a motor. Sensors connected to an Intellisys™ data connection system provide a data stream to a computer at the surface, and may include downhole preprocessing, but need not. The drive system of the hook feed rate is directly controlled in real time by a data station receiving, and operating based on, “travel” or “progress” information received from downhole sensors of the CAS indicating effectively instantly and electronically (rather than slower signals through drilling fluid) whenever the string progresses dangerously faster than the bit, and must be slowed or stopped.

Abstract: A crash avoidance system or crowding avoidance sub (CAS) may be a dedicated or adapted subassembly (sub) in a bottom hole assembly (BHA), such as somewhere above the motor and bit, or between a drill string and BHA. With data lines in a modified housing and flex lines for relative, linear, axial motion between movable parts of a single sub, sensors are contemplated to put a CAS ahead of a cushion, jar, or shock sub, even a motor. However, sensors are best connected to an Intellisys™ data connection system providing a data stream to a computer on the surface. Certain preprocessing may be done down hole, but need not be. Control of the drive system of the hook feed rate is directly controlled in real time by a data station receiving, and operating based on, certain information received from the down hole sensors of the CAS.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus, a movable barrier apparatus, a hydraulic brake kit, a method of stopping movement of a movable barrier, and a method installing a hydraulic brake assembly are described herein. A selectively operable piston mechanism converts rotation of a drive shaft of a movable barrier into hydraulic pressure used to operate a brake configured to stop movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A hinge device prevents breakage of a structuring part from an increase in an internal pressure during overload. In the hinge device, first and second members are rotatable relative to each other. A case is fixed to either the first or second member, and a shaft body capable of rotating relative to the case is fixed to the other. A first chamber and a second chamber formed between the case and the shaft body are filled with viscous fluid. An orifice between the first and second chambers narrows a flow path for the viscous fluid moving from the first to second chamber, resisting rotation of the shaft body. A space region is provided in the shaft body, with a valve body movably placed therein. When pressure of the first chamber reaches a predetermined level, the valve body moves in the space region to increase the volume of the first chamber.

Abstract: An antilock brake system for use with a self-energizing brake system having hydraulic interconnected actuators that act on an eccentric rotor and a brake exciter that provides for disengagement of the actuators from the rotor. The antilock brake system has wheel speed sensors that provide for a control module to determine when a wheel is in a state of immanent brake lock-up and to generate a control signal. Responsive to the control signal a brake disengagement module provides for regulation of the brake force generated by the brake system by alternately causing the exciter to operate the actuators to disengage and to re-engage the rotor.

Abstract: A braking system comprised of a rotor, a plurality of actuators, a brake control unit and a by-pass valve. When in a brake-on mode of operation, the brake control unit effects braking by restricting the flow of a working fluid that is pumped in and out by each of the plurality of actuators as they engage the rotating rotor. The degree of restriction to the flow of the working fluid can be varied to adjust the amount of braking force applied. The brake system is self-energizing in that it is not reliant on a substantial external source to create the operating pressure necessary to effect braking. Operating the by-pass valve into a by-pass on position effectively negates the generation of braking forces normally resulting from operation into the brake-on mode of operation while still allowing the actuators to engage the rotor and working fluid to be circulated.

Abstract: A driveline brake assembly for use on trucks as either a primary braking system or a secondary braking system. A camshaft connected to the driveline carries a number of cams thereon. Each cam has associated therewith a pair of pressure glides which ride on the cam from opposite sides. Each pressure glide may be forced against the cam forcibly due to an inflated air bladder pressing compression springs against the back of the pressure glide. This forcible pushing of the glides against the cams causes the camshaft to slow its rotational speed and accordingly slow the truck.

Abstract: A dampening apparatus for dampening an actuating member over a wide array of temperatures. The present invention provides a fluid filled housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a passageway therebetween. A first piston is slidably received within the first chamber for movement from a pre-actuated position to an actuated position. A second piston is slidably received within said second chamber for movement from said pre-actuated position to said actuated position. A spring disposed within the second chamber biases the second piston toward said passageway and maintains a constant level of fluid pressure within the housing regardless of the temperatures of the fluid. An exhaust port is in communication with the second chamber wherein the second piston is disposed between the passageway and the exhaust port in the pre-actuated position, and wherein the exhaust port is located between the passageway and the second piston in the actuated position to allow the fluid to escape through the exhaust port.

Abstract: In a braking axle driven by a wheel of a trailer vehicle, wherein an axle-driven pumping mechnism is used to pressurize a volume of hydraulic fluid in response to a braking command, the fluid pressure activates a turbine which in turn drives a cooling fan aimed at a radiator used to dissipate the heat accumulating into the hydraulic fluid. The coaxially circular arrangement of the pumps, control valves and other components of the system yields a simple, efficient and sturdy mechanical structure that can withstand very high internal fluid pressure with a limited and controllable leakage rate.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism has a damping mechanism and is capable of removing or reducing to the least extent the damping action of the damping mechanism when opening the seat or the seat lid of a toilet bowl, of securely holding the seat or the seat lid at the open position, of making the damping action effective so that the seat or the seat lid can turn gradually to its closed position and of avoiding the breakage of the damping mechanism due to jerky loading when the seat or the seat lid is turned with a jerk. The hinge mechanism comprises a case, a hinge shaft supporting the seat or the seat lid and supported in the case for rotation and axial movement, a fluidic damping mechanism formed between the case and the hinge shaft, and a resilient means biasing the hinge shaft in one direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake coupled to a rotary shaft including a hydraulic pump connected to the shaft, the pump having a pump inlet, and a pump outlet, a hydraulic loop having an inlet part connected to the pump outlet and an outlet part connected to the pump inlet, a flow control device positioned in the hydraulic loop between the inlet outlet parts for controlling flow of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic loop, and a brake actuator connected to the flow control device for reducing the flow of hydraulic fluid in response to operation of the brake actuator.

Abstract: A braking power converter for trucks, busses, trailers, semitrailers and cars as a long-term brake, with oil as the working fluid and an oil cooler, wherein one or more high-pressure reciprocating pumps, which can control the transporting capacity up to zero transport, are driven continuously by the vehicle proportionately to the travelling speed, and an oil flow is compressed to a high pressure of roughly 300 to 900 bar during the braking operation, subsequently relieved of pressure and thereby heated up, after which the heated oil flow is recooled in the oil cooler.

Abstract: A double-winged door spring is biased for closing with a mechanism for damping of the closure movement and includes a closure sequence control, particularly of a fire-resistant door, in which the damping of the movable door portion is accomplished through a hydraulic damping element with throttled overflow. The hydraulic damping element includes two oppositely controlled pressure chambers defined by a double-acting piston and a valve disposed in the overflow conduit connecting the two pressure chambers, the valve being actuated directly or indirectly through the stationary door portion. By the valve being disposed in the overflow conduit, actuation of the movable door portion can be inhibited until the stationary door portion is closed.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a commercial motor vehicle has a variable-speed transmission in which a brake is provided. The brake is formed as a radial-piston pump in which the piston under the control of the control pressure can be selectively coupled with a lifting element driven by a small gear meshing with a large gear on a driven shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: Conventional piston-cylinder hydraulic actuators require external pressure sources. The hydraulic actuator disclosed utilizes the centrifugal head developed in its chambers. The piston (36) is attached to shaft extension (24) which is splined to the actuator cylinder (20). The cylinder (20) rotates with the shaft (16) to develop a centrifugal fluid head which is selectively directed from the outlet port (40a, 40b) of a contracting chamber through a servo valve (46) to the return passageway (46b, 46a) of an expanding chamber to axially displace piston (36) and shaft (16). An accumulator in the fluid circuit retains fluid displaced from the cylinder (20).

Abstract: An adjustable hydraulic speed drive for controllably maintaining output torque and variable output speed is disclosed. The drive utilizes a rotating group of pistons in radially arranged bores in a portion of an input shaft. A supply of controlled fluid is provided to the bores by way of passageways in an output shaft communicating with said bores. A portion of the output shaft supports a cam ring in spaced relation to said bores and roller ends on said pistons engage said cam ring by centrifugal force upon rotation of the input shaft so that the pistons move responsive to the cam ring contours, said impart movement to the cam ring and output shaft by controlling the pressure level and/or flow rate of the fluid exiting from said bores.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake system for ground driven wheels of a trailer includes a rotatable shaft driven by the wheels which in turn drives an axial piston hydraulic pump with a closed loop circuit with pressure control device for controlling the pressure within the circuit for controlling the load on the pump and, hence, the braking of the wheels. The system includes pressurized air control of a metering valve within the hydraulic circuit for controlling the pressure therein and includes air override of the hydraulic pressure for enabling the normally disabled pump.

Abstract: A brake for retarding rotation of a powered shaft in which the shaft includes a crankshaft section having opposed pistons disposed on the crank section, pistons oriented in respective laterally extending cylinders, sections of the cylinder on a side of the piston remote from the crankshaft provided with springs operatively abutting against a face of the piston to alter the resistance against the piston, and a hydraulically actuated device for increasing the spring pressure applied on the piston face so that when the hydraulic device is actuated, the piston meets increasing resistance to continue motion in the cylinder away from the crankshaft, in such a manner that rotation of the shaft is retarded in precise amounts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reel for a life-line comprising a frame, a winding member journalled in said frame so as to be rotatable about a rotary axis, damping means connected on the one hand with the frame and on the other hand with the winding member and counteracting the rotation of the winding member, said damping means comprising at least one cam member and a plurality of piston pumps rotatably co-operating herewith along a relative path of movement with respect to one another and each having a cylinder and a piston displaceable therein and being in contact with the cam member, while of each pair of pumps, whose pistons are moved in opposite senses by the cam member, the cylinders communicate with one another through a channel having a restriction.

Abstract: A brake system comprising in combination a swash plate mounted on a rotating member such as an axle and a lever system connected to the swash plate and adapted to be driven by the swash plate. A caliper holding a piston is positioned adjacent one of the levers in the lever system so that the piston can selectively frictionally engage the one lever of the lever system to hold the lever in a fixed position thereby stopping the rotary member from rotating.