Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system for a vehicle equipped with a drive line retarder automatically reduces the braking pressure level communicated to the brakes controlling the driven wheels of the vehicle to adjust for the retardation effected by the retarder. The retarder is actuated automatically each time the brake is applied by calculating the appropriate retardation level as a function of the brake pressure being demanded by the vehicle operator and by the load carried by the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake regulator interposable between a hydraulic pressure source and a motor-vehicle brake circuit, of the type comprising a housing equipped with a bore, a simple or differential piston sliding in the bore and delimiting there a first (18) and a second (20) pressure chamber capable of being connected to the pressure source and to the brake circuit respectively, the chambers (18, 20) communicating with one another by means of a passage made in the piston, a valve mounted in the passage and stretched elastically to bear sealingly against a seat formed on the piston, and a return boring interposed between a movable element, the position of which varies as a function of the load of the vehicle, and the piston, so as to stress the latter toward the bottom of the second chamber (20), in a rest position in which the valve is set apart from its seat by a stop (30).

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a base and a filter cartridge removably mounted on the base. The filter cartridge is held in place on the base by a first set of latching members or fingers. When the cartridge is to be changed, a clipping ring from which the fingers extend is rotated relative to the base, urging the fingers up a camming surface to thereby release the first set of fingers and allow the seal between the cartridge and base to be broken, while the cartridge is retained on the base by a longer second set of fingers. Upon additional rotation of the clipping ring, the longer fingers are released, thereby permitting removal of the cartridge from the base.

Abstract: The combination solenoid valve and shuttle valve (60, 160A-D, 260A-D) comprises a shuttle valve (50, 150) which is slidingly and sealingly received at or adjacent an end of the solenoid valve (40, 140). The shuttle valve (50, 150) includes a stepped interior opening (54, 154) which sealingly receives the end of the solenoid valve (40) or a valve part (140A), such that slidable movement of the shuttle valve (50) causes an insert (55, 55A, 155) within the interior opening (54, 154) to seat sealingly over either a solenoid insert seat (41C) or insert seat (141C) of the valve part (140A) in order to isolate pressure chambers (12A, 12B; 112A, 112B; 212A, 212B) of a master cylinder/hydraulic booster (12, 112, 212A, 212B) from a wheel brake (16, 116A-D, 216A-D).

Abstract: Device for automatically taking up the play in a braking mechanism comprising a cylindrical piece (30) rotatably movable about its own axis (x--x'), of which the rotation over a fraction of a revolution is ensured by a control member (41) able to pivot alternatively in one direction and the other, its pivoting taking up the play. The control member acts on said cylindrical piece by the intermediary of a spring-wire (38) rolled around the latter, in such a fashion that when it presses the spring-wire in one direction it engenders its tightening on the cylindrical piece and correspondingly the driving of the latter by friction, while in the other direction it engenders the release of the spring-wire and correspondingly its disengagement with respect to the cylindrical piece, the latter not being driven.

Abstract: A control for an electropneumatic braking system applies a step function to a electronically operated proportional modulator to improve transient response. The current is controlled by a treadle operated signal generator operated by the vehicle operator and by actual feedback braking pressure as generated by a pressure sensor which senses braking pressure. The system includes a master controller which receives and processes information from the operator operated treadle operated signal generator and transmits desired pressure signals to wheel controllers which independently control each wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow limiter for hydraulic fluid, comprising at least one passage (14) of reduced cross-section for the hydraulic fluid, the passage (14) being formed between two contiguous pieces (12, 22) each having at lest one planar face (10, 20), at least one of the two pieces (12, 22) comprising a recessed impression (14) on at least one of its faces (10, 20), the passage (14) of reduced cross section being defined within the space situated between the recessed impression (14) formed on a planar face (10) on one of the pieces and the planar face (20) of the other piece (22), the length of the passage (14) of reduced cross section being adjustable by varying the relative position of the two pieces (12, 22). According to the invention, a pierced hole (18) is made in one piece (12) at one end of the passage (14) of reduced cross section and in that a pierced hole (24) is made in the other piece (22) at the other end of the passage (14) of reduced cross section.

Abstract: Air dryer for a compressed air system includes a desiccant canister and a tubular oil filter received within a cavity within the canister circumscribed by a desiccant bed. A tubular oil filter is mounted on a removable module so that the module and the oil filter may be removed from the air dryer without disturbing the desiccant canister. Accordingly, the oil filter is replaced at more frequent intervals than is the desiccant. During purging, purge air is bypassed around the oil filter directly to the exhaust port through a check valve permitting communication through a bypass passage only during purging.

Abstract: An air dryer for compressed air braking systems includes a desiccant canister which is provided with a double helix insert which cooperates with the walls of the canister to define a pair of intertwined, serpentine, pneumatically isolated flow paths. The flow paths extend through the canister between the end walls and are filled with a desiccant material. A single center line valve mechanism is provided to switch between the flow paths so that one of the flow paths is purged at the same time that the other flow path is pressurized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic device for braking the wheels of a vehicle, especially for wheel anti-lock and/or anti-slip functions, comprising, between a chamber of a master cylinder and at least one brake motor, a plurality of solenoid valves (36) and a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor including a rotor (10) arranged between two bearings (12, 14) and enclosed in a cylindrical sleeve (20) made of metallic material, the rotor driving in rotation an eccentric cam (24) imparting an alternating translational movement to radial pistons (26), the delivery outlet of the pump being connected to the solenoid valves (36) via hydraulic slides by way of fluid circulation channels (32, 34). According to the invention, the sleeve (20), in which the rotor is accommodated, is enclosed in a housing (30) made of non-magnetic material. The fluid circulation channels (32, 34) and the solenoid valves (36) extend in the housing.

Abstract: The closed circuit, pump-back adaptive braking system (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) includes a slave isolation valve mechanism (30, 30', 30", 130, 330, 330') which has a valve member (34, 34', 34", 134, 334, 334') that permits master cylinder (12) generated hydraulic braking pressure to oppose pressure received from the pump (23) of the braking system (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) in order to prevent displacement of the valve member (34, 34', 34", 134, 334, 334') when the pump (23) is not operating. When the pump (23) of the system (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) is operating, the valve member (34, 34', 34", 134, 334, 334') is displaced to isolate substantially the master cylinder (12) from an electrically actuated valve mechanism (40, 40') during operation of the adaptive braking system (10, 110, 210, 310, 410).

Abstract: The hydraulic actuation system (10) utilizes efficiently stored hydraulic pressure to effect a higher final pressure in the system (10) for a parking brake application. The system includes a pump (12) which communicates separately with accumulators or pressure storage mechanisms (20, 30) isolated from one another. A first accumulator (20) communicates with a first three-position apply and release valve mechanism (40) that can communicate via an apply hydraulic line (26) with a second two-position apply valve mechanism (50). The second accumulator (30) communicates with the second apply valve mechanism (50). The second apply valve mechanism (50) communicates the apply hydraulic line (26) with apply lines (55, 63, 73) and at least one brake (60, 70) that is hydraulically actuated for a parking brake application. The brake (60, 70) includes a release hydraulic line (62, 72, 49) which communicates with the first apply and release valve mechanism (40).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic brake-booster comprising a casing (10), inside which is situated a piston (20) comprising a rear tubular part (22) and a movable wall (12) defining a front chamber (16) permanently connected to a vacuum source and a rear chamber (18) selectively connected to the front chamber (16) or to the atmosphere by a valve mechanism (20a, 32a, 40) actuated by a control rod (34) adapted to bear, by way of a plunger (32) against one face of a reaction disk (58) fastened to a push rod (56), the valve mechanism comprising a valve closure member (40) cooperating by an active part with a first valve seat (32a) formed on the plunger (32) and with a second valve seat (20a) formed on the piston (20). According to the invention, a guide mechanism (62) for the air in movement are provided upstream of the valve mechanism.

Abstract: Structure for caging a return spring of a master cylinder to define limits for an operational chamber. The structure includes a first cylindrical member which engages a first piston and a second cylindrical member which engages a second piston with the return spring being located between the first and second cylindrical members. A stud which has an irregular shaped end member is retained in a groove in the second piston by the second cylindrical member and mated with a head member to define the limits for the return spring between the first and second cylindrical members and correspondingly the maximum size of the chamber within a bore of a master cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake-booster (10) of a vehicle, comprising a casing (12) and a diaphragm (14) which divides in a sealed manner the interior of the casing into a front chamber (16) and a back chamber (18), a hollow piston (20) movable in the casing receiving an input member (24) adapted to be connected to a brake pedal, an output assembly comprising a lid (30) and an output rod (32) adapted to be connected to a piston (34) of a master cylinder (36), a reaction disk (28) in a deformable material arranged between the hollow piston (20) and the lid (30) so as to receive an image of the output force of the booster (10) when it is put into operation in order to cause a deformation of the reaction disk (28) tending to push back the input member (24) as a function of the image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum-operated servo-brake comprising, in a casing consisting of a shell (10) and a cover (12), a piston (20) separating leaktightly two inner chambers (22, 24), a valve means controlled by a rod (32) projecting from the casing in order to ensure the operation of the servo-brake, and a prestressed spring (34) for returning the piston (20) to its rest position substantially abutting the cover (12), the spring (34) bearing on the shell (10). According to the invention, the spring (34) comprises a mechanism enabling its extension to be limited when the shell (10) and the cover (12) are not fixed to each other.

Abstract: The caliper support key (40) provides a low spring load/high damping support for a caliper (12) mounted on a support member (14). The caliper (12) includes at each circumferential side a recess (20) which may receive a protrusion (16, 18) from the support member (14). At one side of the caliper (12), the support key (40) is located between the protrusion (16) and recess (20). The support key (40) comprises a generally H-shaped key support member (40) receiving at one side thereof the protrusion (16) and the other side a stepped opening (49) defining portions of a first (50) and a second (52) cavity. A plunger (60) of the caliper support key (40) engages a surface (21) of the recess (20) in the caliper (12) and extends through the first cavity (50) and into the second cavity (52) with a small clearance (72) therebetween. A composite sealing ring ( 75) is disposed about the plunger (60) and engages the surface of the first cavity (50).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bleed valve for a hydraulic circuit, comprising a piston capable of sliding in a bore formed in a body and actuating a shutter arranged between two sub-circuits and movable between a first position, in which it allows communication between the two sub-circuits, and a second position, in which it prevents this communication, the shutter being movable under the effect of an external mechanical action exerted by an actuating member. According to the invention, the sealing between the bore and the outside of the body is ensured by the actuating member, and the shutter is movable under the effect of a difference between the pressures which are exerted on its two faces.

Abstract: An anti-skid control circuit for a wheeled vehicle and a method of processor computation confirmation within such an anti-skid control circuit includes the confirmation of proper processor operation only at a certain one of the computation values. Rotation of a vehicle wheel Provides a pulse train the repetition rate of which is indicative of the vehicle speed. A sequence of program steps is repetitively executed in a microprocessor (17) over a fixed time interval with the microprocessor (17) repeating that same predetermined sequence of program steps during each successive said fixed time interval. A second pulse train is provided having one pulse for each repetition of the sequence of program steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disc-brake motor subassembly comprising at least one piston (10), which can be controlled by a mechanical subassembly having first and second plates (40, 48), one of which is actuated in rotation, these two plates bearing mutually faced indentations (54, 56) in which is accommodated at least one ball (52), the indentations being provided in the axial direction of the plates with a slope which allows the conversion of the rotation of a first plate into axial displacement of the second plate in order to control the piston (10). According to the invention, in the course of the rotation the ball (52) follows a trajectory, the distance of each of the points of which from the axis of the plates (40, 48) is variable.