Patents Represented by Attorney Gary J. Falce
  • Patent number: 4475773
    Abstract: A steering-brake control system for a vehicle in which solenoid operated control valves associated with the respective wheels of at least one axle are normally maintained in an open position, so long as the valve solenoid operators are deenergized. Braking pressure is produced when either one of a right and left brake pedal is operated. Switches associated with each pedal are effective to energize the solenoid of one wheel control valve to cut off brake pressure to that particular wheel, so that only the one wheel corresponding to the operated brake pedal is braked to cause the vehicle to turn in that direction for steering control in off-street operation. In the event both brake pedals are operated, the switches and valves operate to admit brake pressure to each wheel brake cylinder for normal braking during on-street operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: WABCO Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Bartscher, Harald Meyer, Diether Staisch
  • Patent number: 4471614
    Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic actuator for providing a two-stage buildup of the hydraulic output pressure. A primary hydraulic piston, to which a pneumatic input piston actuator is connected, acts in a larger bore of a hydraulic cylinder to transfer fluid via a central passage in a spring-loaded, differential area, secondary hydraulic piston, that is coaxially disposed in the hydraulic cylinder in spaced-apart relationship with, and downstream of, the primary piston. A larger face of the secondary piston is in the larger bore and the smaller face is in a reduced diameter bore of the hydraulic cylinder, so that a pressure buildup in the hydraulic cylinder effects actuation of the secondary piston to close a check valve and thereby inter-fluid communication between the larger and smaller bores of the hydraulic cylinder via the central passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • Patent number: 4467605
    Abstract: A two-stage, hydro-pneumatic actuator suitable for use as a railway vehicle brake. The hydraulic cylinder comprises a large diameter bore in which a low- and a high-pressure piston operate jointly during a first stage of operation to effect a high volumetric displacement of hydraulic fluid via a small diameter bore in order to take up the clearance between the brake shoes and wheel. As the brake shoes contact the wheel, the high-pressure piston enters the small bore to interrupt further displacement of hydraulic fluid from the large bore. The force of the high-pressure piston alone during this second stage of operation produces the required brake forces with a high multiplication factor. Make-up fluid is drawn into a chamber on the backside of the low-pressure piston during a brake application stroke an amount corresponding to the over-travel of the high-pressure piston and is subsequently discharged into the hydraulic cylinder during retraction of the brakes to compensate for brake shoe wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: WABCO Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Smith
  • Patent number: 4467704
    Abstract: A vehicle brake unit having a fluid pressure operated piston arranged perpendicular to a brake push rod on which is provided a pair of diagonally opposed roller members. An actuator member is connected to the piston and is interposed between the piston and push rod to translate the force of the piston to the push rod. A thrust surface having a cam profile is engageable with the roller members of the push rod, while a reaction surface is engageable with the brake unit housing. The actuator reaction surface is convex and the complementary thrust surface of the housing is concave, thereby providing a pivot point about which the actuator is angularly rotated when the piston is operated to establish a brake stroke of the brake push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse Compagnia Freni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Enrico Casalone
  • Patent number: 4467510
    Abstract: A method of forming concavities in a cast iron valve seat to which lubricating oil may be applied to reduce the abrasion between the valve seat and a handle operated rotary valve that is slidably engagable with the valve seat. Pockets of graphite are formed at the valve seat surface by heat treating the valve seat, following which the valve seat undergoes a lapping process that removes the graphite and leaves numerous concavities in the valve seat surface. These concavities hold the lubrication and thus extend the abrasion-free life of the rotary valve and valve seat interface to enhance the metal-to-metal seal thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Nippon Air Brake Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kinoshita, Kazushige Onaka