Abstract: A method for operating a brake system having a brake fluid reservoir having a first and a second reservoir chamber which are separated by a first partition wall, wherein a first filling level in the brake fluid reservoir is determined by a first sensor element, and a second filling level in the brake fluid reservoir is determined by a second sensor element, wherein the brake system is operated in a first fallback operating mode when the determined first filling level in the brake fluid reservoir falls below a first predetermined level (p1), and wherein the brake system is operated in a second fallback operating mode when the determined second filling level in the brake fluid reservoir falls below a second predetermined level (p2), wherein the second level (p2) is lower than the first level (p1), and to a brake system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a master cylinder for a vehicle brake. The master cylinder includes a cylinder body provided with a hollow bore, a primary piston configured to perform a reciprocating motion in the hollow bore in linkage with a pedal, a secondary piston configured to move in linkage with the motion of the primary piston, and a Brake Light Stop (BLS) sensor module comprising a magnet provided at the primary piston and provided in a ring shape, and a hall sensor installed at an outer side of the cylinder body to correspond to the magnet and configured to control on/off operations of a brake lamp by sensing a magnetic flux density according to the reciprocating motion of the primary piston, wherein the magnet has both sides thereof supported by the primary piston and a return spring that is provided between the primary piston and the secondary piston, respectively.

Abstract: A fluid level monitoring system may include a control panel having a plurality of input devices, each corresponding to a monitored fluid of a machine, and a plurality of indicators, each corresponding to one of the input devices. The indicators may provide visual displays of fluid level statuses for the monitored fluids. The fluid level monitoring system may further include a message display device that may display a fluid level status message for one of the monitored fluids based on the actuation of the corresponding input device of the control panel.

Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes an information display for displaying a plurality of selectable information display levels according to an information display hierarchy. Each selectable information display level may include one or more visual gauges for conveying vehicle information. Each successive selectable information display level may include additional and/or alternative vehicle information when compared to the preceding selectable information display level. The information display system further includes a controller configured to display the plurality of selectable information display levels according to an at least one driver input. In this way, the information display can display a particular selectable information display level best suited to a driver's individual preferences or understanding of the vehicle's operations.

Abstract: An equalizing tank for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, with a housing including a housing upper part and a housing lower part, and with a device for monitoring the fluid level in the equalizing tank, the device including a switching unit which is fastened to the housing and has a plug-in connector and a contact carrier, a portion of which projects into a guide pipe which extends into an interior space of the tank, and a sensor element or switching element which is arranged on the contact carrier in the region of the guide pipe and which can be switched by a transmitter in a switching point at which the switching unit generates a signal for an electronic control unit.

Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes an information display for displaying a plurality of selectable information display levels according to an information display hierarchy. Each selectable information display level may include one or more visual gauges for conveying vehicle information. Each successive selectable information display level may include additional and/or alternative vehicle information when compared to the preceding selectable information display level. The information display system further includes a controller configured to display the plurality of selectable information display levels according to an at least one driver input. In this way, the information display can display a particular selectable information display level best suited to a driver's individual preferences or understanding of the vehicle's operations.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the connection of a trailer to a vehicle. The apparatus is connected to a pneumatic pressure line of the trailer's service braking system, and measures the pressure of the system to determine if the trailer is properly connected to the vehicle when the vehicle's engine is running. Further, the apparatus also contains an algorithm that monitors the signals from other vehicle systems, and uses that information to determine the trailer characteristics. The vehicle engine control system receives information from the apparatus and adjusts the various vehicle systems accordingly.

Abstract: A fluid condition indicating system and method using visual and audible devices. The system includes a circuit having visual and audible indicators, a power supply, and a plurality of switches or sensors. A start switch is coupled to the power supply, the visual indicator, and the audible indicator, and an enable switch is responsive to an ignition signal. During engine starting, the circuit enables the visual indicator in response to a condition of the start switch and a low fluid sensor, and disables the audible indicator. The audible indicator is enabled in response to the condition of the enable switch after engine starting, and may include a transistor or an output of a controller such as a microprocessor. The system may be integrated into a single wiring harness that can be easily replaced or retrofit onto existing outdoor power equipment.

Abstract: A mixed air amount alarm device is provided which determines the amount of air present in a hydraulic circuit between a hydraulic pressure source and an instrument driven by hydraulic pressure, and produces an alarm if the air amount is excessive, a situation is prevented in which an alarm is produced or not produced according to change of the air amount (volume) resulting from temperature change, and it is possible to stop an alarm if potential danger disappears and a safe state is recovered due to spontaneous release of air out of the hydraulic circuit. If the air amount is determined excessive, this is stored in a nonvolatile memory, and even if air amount excessiveness determination is not made at the next activation of the hydraulic device, the content of the nonvolatile memory is checked and an alarm is produced if air amount excessiveness determination has not been made before.

Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system for monitoring a condition of relatively moving vehicle components, particularly including the pushrod of a brake actuator, including a magnet on one of the components, a sensor on the other component within the magnetic field of the magnet generating a signal indicating a condition of the moving component, an electrically conductive coil preferably surrounding the magnet generating a current and an active RF chip connected to the coil and the sensor, thereby providing current to the active RF chip for signaling a receiver. In the disclosed embodiment of a brake actuator monitoring system, the magnet is fixed on the pushrod and the coil surrounds the pushrod and magnet.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic fluid reservoir and a hydraulic circuit assembly comprising lines and hydraulic components. The hydraulic components comprise a hydraulic actuator comprising a cylinder, defining an interior, a reciprocating piston within the interior dividing the interior into first and second regions, and a first shaft extending from the piston, through the first region and out through a first opening in the cylinder. At least two of the hydraulic components and the reservoir fluidly coupled to one another by the lines. Hydraulic leak warning apparatus, fluidly coupled into the hydraulic fluid reservoir, is constructed to provide a signal indicating a possible hydraulic fluid leak. The invention includes the structure that compensates for changes in the volumes of fluid within the first and second regions as the piston moves within the cylinder so that actuation of the hydraulic actuator has no effect on the fluid level within the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for detecting lining wear and fluid level in a dry interface corner actuator for a single wheel brake including a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir for containing fluid for the actuator and a sensor assembly positioned in the reservoir having a single set point to indicate both low reservoir fluid level and a need for brake lining replacement.

Abstract: A brake monitoring system generally includes a plurality of brake monitors mounted on each of a plurality of brake actuators. Each brake monitor generally comprises a sleeve mounted to a push rod which moves relative to a stone shield on the brake actuator. The displacement of the sleeve relative to the stone shield is measured to determine the stroke of the brake actuator. This information is sent via an RF transmitter to a controller which determines the condition of each of the brakes.

Abstract: A reliable capacitive oil deterioration and level sensor has a conductive housing member that includes a conductive shielding member defining a ground electrode, and a conductive inner member defining a measuring electrode. The shielding member protects the sensor from moving objects that could adversely affect its performance. The housing member is adapted to provide a fluidic connection between an oil container and a space between the ground electrode and the measuring electrode. The sensor also includes electronics adapted to employ this capacitor geometry to generate signals indicative of a degree of deterioration and a level of the oil within the gap. The electronics further include at least one isolating capacitor to eliminate a flow of current between the electrodes that may cause a build up of material on the two electrodes that define the capacitor. This build up of unwanted material may cause an undesirable effect in the sensor output signal.