Abstract: A damper control valve includes a body having an inlet, a main outlet and a pilot outlet with a valve disc normally substantially closing the inlet off from the outlet. The valve disc has a continuously open orifice that permits restricted fluid communication between the inlet and the pilot outlet. An armature normally closes the pilot outlet. The armature is movable by a coil to open the pilot outlet and in response, the valve disc independently moves in response to a pressure differential to open the main outlet to the inlet.

Abstract: A brake pedal feel emulator includes a piston that is movable against the force of a compressible elastomeric body and fluid force. The emulator supplies conventional pedal feel and travel characteristics when the primary and secondary pistons of the brake system's master cylinder are substantially movable due to isolation of the master cylinder from the wheel brakes. The fluid force is supplied by controlling the flow of fluid from behind the emulator piston through a flow restrictive orifice to a conventional fluid reservoir on the master cylinder assembly. The emulator is operable with electric or electro-hydraulically controlled braking system.

Abstract: A variable pitch screw driver system includes a rotatable drive nut powered by a motor actuator. A base screw having a fixed pitch extends through the drive nut and is linearly translatable in response to rotation of the drive nut. The base screw carries a pin that follows a secondary helical screw. Linear translation of the base screw is altered by tracking of the pin along the helical screw such that rotation of the base screw is selectively effected simultaneously with rotation of the drive nut resulting in an effective variable pitch of the screw driver. Linear translation of the base screw effects linear translation of a piston at a variable rate.

Abstract: A rotating pump seal is interposed between a transmission's pump and pump body bushing. The seal includes a predetermined flow area allowing a sufficient amount of fluid flow to lubricate the bushing while restricting excessive flow.

Abstract: A master cylinder and emulator includes a primary piston and a secondary piston which are movable to provide fluid pressure to effect wheel braking in a vehicle. In addition, the master cylinder includes an emulator assembly which supplies conventional pedal feel and travel characteristics when the primary and secondary pistons are substantially immovable due to isolation of the master cylinder from the wheel brakes. The emulator assembly includes a piston that is movable against a selected amount of fluid pressure and spring force while the primary piston remains stationary. The fluid force is supplied by controlling the flow of fluid from behind the piston through a flow restrictive orifice to a conventional fluid reservoir on the master cylinder assembly. The master cylinder and emulator assembly is operable to provide brake actuation assist to an electric or electro-hydraulically controlled braking system.

Abstract: A hydraulic power booster for a brake apply system includes a mechanically actuated hydraulic booster of compact design that can be integrated in line with a conventional type master cylinder. Additionally, a combination of twin mechanically actuated check valves is arranged to provide a structure with essentially no leakage when the hydraulic booster is at rest and when the hydraulic booster is at poise. A mechanically actuated check valve is normally held open and is positioned in a passageway between the power piston and a fluid reservoir. This check valve is substantially, immediately closed upon the application of force to the brake pedal. Another mechanically actuated check valve is provided in a passageway between the hydraulic power supply and the power piston. This check valve is mechanically opened to supply a selected amount of pressurized fluid to the power piston which generates a selected amount of vehicle braking in response to actuation of the brake pedal.

Abstract: A rotary actuated braking system includes a motor driven shaft that operates two pairs of piston pumps and an allocation valve which, in combination with a single solenoid valve, effects ABS operation of the braking system. A combination of pressure operated control valves and pressure operated release valves for each control wheel brake respond to operation of the rotary actuator and solenoid valve to effect ABS pressure release and reapply from the corresponding wheel brake. A power boosted master cylinder provides base brake operation independent of the rotary actuator effected ABS operation.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly includes a lever that translates pivoting rotation to sliding movement of a tappet in contact with a braking shoe to effect expansion of the brake shoe against the inside diameter of a rotating element. The rotating element is, in more specificity, a rotor carried by a spindle that is rotatably supported by bearings. The bearings are carried by the actuator housing which additionally carries the lever and tappet of the parking brake assembly.

Abstract: A monotube damper valve is provided which is capable of operating with a higher degree of preloading and a greater extent of disc deflection due to the provision of compression and extension stop surfaces which uniformly support the disc in its naturally deflected state at both limits of deflection travel.

Abstract: A power brake apply system includes a master cylinder having a piston for generating fluid pressure within a braking circuit. A boost valve assembly is mounted adjacent the master cylinder and carries a slidable spool that selectively closes off a normal path of communication between a fluid reservoir and the boost chamber of the master cylinder in response to the manual actuation of the master cylinder's piston as effected through a pressurized braking circuit. After closure of communication between the reservoir and the boost chamber a power fluid supply is opened to the boost chamber to provide power assist in the actuation of the master cylinder's piston.

Abstract: A suspension damper of the monotube gas charged shock type includes mating piston and rod guide assemblies and mating piston and gas cup assemblies wherein the extension and compression travel of the damper is maximized. The piston includes an annular skirt with a lower rebound cutoff element. The rod guide assembly includes twin spaced apart bushing assemblies providing lateral support to the piston rod, a lower annular leg and an upper rebound cutoff element. When the damper is in a fully extended position, the lower annular leg is received within the upper rebound cutoff element and the upper rebound cutoff element is received within the annular skirt of the piston assembly.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through two alternate flow paths as determined by the control valve. Damping through the first flow path is relatively soft and is determined according to the deflective characteristics of a single bi-directional annular disc valve. Damping through the second flow path is relatively firm and is determined by the first bi-directional single annular disc and a second bi-directional single annular disc in series.

Abstract: A brake apply mechanism for a power transmission is provided which includes a planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier assembly member and a sun gear member; an operator-controlled brake apply mechanism operatively connected to the sun gear member to selectively enforce rotation thereof; an auxiliary spring applied hydraulically released brake apply mechanism selectively operable to enforce rotation of the ring gear member to initiate brake engagement; and a brake apply mechanism operatively connected to the carrier assembly member to enforce brake engagement when either the operator control brake apply mechanism or the auxiliary brake apply mechanism is operated.

Abstract: A turnable pneumatic suspension system is provided wherein proper air flow to the diaphragm is ensured through a charging route that is maintained in a securely sealed condition and which includes a nonrotatable point of attachment to a remote pressurization device. The pneumatic suspension system includes an air spring and a damper in combination, mounted to rotate relative to a vehicle with a dynamic seal provided between a nonrotatable seal ring and mating components of the air spring facilitating rotation of the suspension module while the entrance to the air charging route of the suspension module remains stationary.

Abstract: A damper includes a piston that carries a relatively compact control valve for controlling fluid flow through the piston. The control valve provides a variable amount of damping by regulating damper fluid flow between the extension chamber and the compression chamber of the damper during extension and compression strokes. Pressure regulation across the piston is controlled through two alternate flow paths as determined by the control valve. Damping through the first flow path is relatively soft and is determined according to the deflective characteristics of first and second single bi-directional annular disc valves in parallel. Damping through the second flow path is relatively firm and is determined solely by the second bi-directional single annular disc.

Abstract: A brake pedal assembly includes a pedal arm formed from one-piece of aluminum bar stock which is pivotally mounted by a bushing holder fixed on the pedal arm by external upsetting. The pedal arm includes two integral projections which receive the foot pad plate that is secured on the pedal arm by staking of the integral projections. This enables the assembly of a brake pedal without welding of material and facilitates the use of aluminum material in fabricating the pedal arm.

Abstract: A proportional fluid pressure regulation system is provided using a combination of a proportional valve and a shuttle valve for fluid flow control. A system of fluid pressure regulation is achieved where the desired pressure output is provided by one of two pressure input sources. The two pressure input sources are alternately selected by operation of a pilot operated shuttle valve and a solenoid operated proportional valve. The two pressure sources may comprise a manually actuated vehicle braking system's master cylinder and a power operated fluid pump.

Abstract: A pneumatic suspension system including an air spring in combination with a damper provides a way of mounting to a vehicle with a dual path mount. The air spring includes a canister in combination with a flexible element defining a variable pressure chamber. A mounting plate is captured about the canister by a nut. The nut has an air passageway for inflating and relieving the air spring and for providing a selectively open communicative path between the air spring and a remote volume that extends through the mount.

Abstract: A gas charged monotube strut carries the accumulator outside the damper's cylinder tube and within the strut mount. A substantially direct flow path is provided between the damper and the accumulator through the damper's piston rod. Air to oil separation is maintained by a gas cup and a low profile of packaging is provided.

Abstract: An integral power booster and master cylinder assembly interactively operates with a braking system to effect conventional braking operation, anti-lock brake operation, traction control operation and stability enhancement system functions in a cost effective manner. The incorporation of a low pressure hydraulic booster provides a manner of enhancing first cycle response times of the traction control and stability enhancement system functions. Fluid separation is maintained between the stability enhancement system and the braking channels through the use of a pump priming accumulator to provide a pre-charge to the wheel brake pressure effecting pump assembly, in direct response to the power booster.