Abstract: The invention relates to a disk-brake having a caliper (12) mounted slidably on a stationary support (10), comprising two friction elements (16, 18) received in an anchored and sliding member in the stationary support (10) and capable of coming into frictional engagement with the opposite faces of a rotating disk (14) during the actuation of a brake motor (14), an axial column (28 ) fixed to the stationary support (10) and received in a sliding manner in a corresponding bore formed in a caliper (12), and a mechanism (32) for locking the caliper (12) to the stationary support (10) in terms of rotation about the column (28). According to the invention, the mechanism (32) for locking the caliper (12) to the stationary support (10) comprises a self-locking mechanism (58, 78, 88).

Abstract: A brake booster having an initial output force produced a reaction force acting on a face of a second diameter of a plunger to produce a primary force which opposes an input force, an intermediate output force produced by the reaction force acting on a disc to produce a secondary force which is combined with the primary force to oppose the input force and an optimum output force which is produced from the differences between the input force and primary and second forces to effect a brake application.

Abstract: A brake rotor for use with a caliper in a brake system is made from a composition having from 20-80 percent by volume of silicon carbide and from 80-20 percent by volume of an iron alloy consisting of: 0.4 to 4.0 percent by weight of total carbon; 1.8 to 18.0 percent by weight of Si; 1.0 to 10.0 percent by weight of X where X is selected from a group consisting of Cr, Mo, Mn, Ni, P and S; and the balance of iron alloy being Fe, the composition having a theoretical thermal conductivity at room temperature of 0.19 to 0.41 cal/cm*sec*deg C.

Abstract: A relay valve for a fluid pressure braking system includes a relay piston and a load piston which is responsive to the pressure at the inlet port of the relay valve to exert a biasing force on the relay piston loading the latter against the inlet/exhaust valve. The biasing force is opposed by fluid pressure at the inlet port acting across the effective area of the inlet/exhaust valve. The biasing force is greater than the spring force holding the inlet/exhaust valve closed, so that the valve responds immediately to pressure signals transmitted through the control port of the relay valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double brake booster for a motor vehicle, provided with a valve enabling the boost ratio to be varied as a function of the load of the vehicle. In addition to two pistons (64, 66) articulated to an arm (72), this valve comprises a pusher (80) driven by a third piston (68), to a first face of which is applied a first force representative of the load of the vehicle and to a second face of which is applied a second force of elastic nature, in opposition to the first, this third piston adopting, under the effect of the first and second forces, an equilibrium position which determines that of a variable bearing point for the lever which constitutes the arm (72). Moreover, the arm, the pusher and the three pistons are mounted in the same body, the arm and the pusher being housed in a single cavity (74) which is defined in this body and subjected to a low pressure, and toward which the second faces of the three pistons are turned.

Abstract: A liquid filter includes an annular filter cartridge and a combination anti-drain back and relief valve assembly. The combination valve includes a valve seat from which axially extending arms extend and a spring retainer and spring which holds a gasket against the valve seat. The gasket includes an anti-drainback portion which projects from the valve seat and a relief valve portion which is supported on the valve seat. Upon assembly the combination valve and filter element in the housing, the filter assembly is supported by the spring retainer and is forced into sealing engagement with the gasket, holding the latter against the valve seat in a gasket engaging area between the relief valve portion and the anti-drainback portion. This assembly process also removes the coil spring load from the barbs on the valve seat arms.

Abstract: A compressed air system includes an air dryer which includes a desiccant for drying compressed air passed through the desiccant before the compressed air is received in a storage reservoir. A humidity sensor is installed in the system downstream of the desiccant for measuring the relatively humidity of the air after it passes through the air dryer. A control module is programmed such that if the humidity level increases above 80%, a timer is started. If a time period of several hours elapses without the humidity level decreasing below 50%, a depleted desiccant and/or a system malfunction is indicated, and an appropriate warning device is actuated.

Abstract: An engine exhaust gas system includes a conduit for transferring exhaust gas, and a butterfly valve within the conduit for controlling communication of exhaust gas through the conduit. The butterfly valve is mounted on a shaft for pivoting relative to the conduit. The shaft is supported on a bushing in a transverse bore. Leakage through the clearance between the bushing and the shaft acts upon the transverse face of a washer which is freely slidable on the shaft, urging the latter into engagement with a retaining ring carried on the housing to effect sealing of the clearance. As the pressure of exhaust gases increases, the washer is urged more forcefully against the retaining ring, thereby improving the effectiveness of the seal.

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system for a tractor trailer vehicle includes a supply line connecting the tractor and trailer braking systems. A low pressure responsive switch responds to the pressure level in the supply line for actuating a warning device when the pressure level in the supply line drops below a predetermined pressure level to thereby warn the driver before a brake actuation is effected that a low pressure level exists in the trailer braking system. A normally open stoplight switch is connected in series with the low-pressure responsive switch so that the signal generated by the low-pressure responsive switch is prevented from actuating the warning device when the tractor is operated in the "bobtail" mode without a trailer.

Abstract: A retainer for locating a poppet member of a control valve in a bore while positioning a return spring connected to an input member within bore to direct substantially turbulent free air through slots in the retainer to a poppet member for distribution to a chamber when an input force moves a plunger of the control valve away from the poppet member.

Abstract: The disk-brake comprises a clevis (5), a sliding caliper (3) and an operating mechanism, the latter comprising a mechanism (19) having a wedge displaceable longitudinally between the caliper (3) and a piston, to move them apart, through the action of a pusher (21), which in turn is driven by the pushrod (25) of a drive mechanism (23). The drive mechanism (23) is fastened to the clevis (5) of the brake and the pusher (21) exerts on the wedge a force whose main component is parallel to the plane of the disk and directed in the predominant direction of rotation of the latter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic brake-booster comprising a casing (10), inside which is situated a piston (22) consisting of a rear tubular part (22) which supports a skirt (14) and which with the aid of an unwinding diaphragm (12) defines 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) sliding in a bore (30) of the piston (20), against one face of a reaction disk (58) fastened to a push rod (56), the valve mechanism (20a, 32a, 40) comprising a valve closure member (40) cooperating with a first valve seat (32a) formed on the plunger (32) and with a second valve seat (20a) formed on the piston (20 ), a retaining member (50), for the plunger (32) disposed in a radial space (38) in the piston (20) and having an inner end region extending the bore (30) of the piston (20) and forming a stop surfac

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic brake-booster comprising a casing (10), inside which is situated a piston (20) consisting of a rear tubular part (22) which supports a skirt (14) and which with the aid of an unwinding diaphragm (12) defines 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 (20a, 32a, 40) comprising a valve closure member (40) cooperating 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, the plunger (32) and the piston ( 20) are provided with a second valve mechanism (65, 70).

Abstract: In a master cylinder (20), a cap (30) for guiding a primary piston (50) is located within an end opening (24) of a body (22) of the master cylinder (20). The end cap (30) retains a sleeve (40) and other components within a bore (12) of the master cylinder (20), and is attached to the body (22) of the master cylinder (20) by way of a biasing retention mechanism (45; 145, 150; 260). The mechanism (45; 145, 150; 260) may bias the end cap (30) axially inwardly of the bore (12), bias a gripping ring member (145) radially outwardly into engagement with the body (22) of the master cylinder (20), and retain a first end (32) of the end cap (30) within the bore (12) in accordance with the extent to which the first end (32) is inserted axially into the bore (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to automatic braking device for a vehicle equipped with at least one fluid circuit connecting a master cylinder (10) to an application circuit including at least one brake motor (22) and comprising in addition a pump (30) capable of supplying to said application circuit via a non-return valve (31) fluid under high pressure taken from a low pressure reservoir (28).

Abstract: Two different types of converter boxes (38, 84) provide the required interface for transmitting service brake control signals from the tractor unit (12) of a tractor-trailer combination vehicle to the trailer unit (16) thereof in which the tractor unit (17) and trailer unit (16) are provided with dissimilar braking systems. One type of converter box (38) provides the interface between a tractor (12) equipped with an electropneumatic braking system in which service brake applications are controlled by electrical signals and a conventional trailer (16) in which service brakes are controlled by pneumatic signals. The other type of converter box (84) provides the required interface between a tractor (12) which has service brakes controlled by conventional pneumatic signals and a trailer unit (16) which is provided with and electropneumatic braking system in which service brake applications are controlled by electrical signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary hydraulic distributor comprising a primary rotary element (3) coupled to an actuating device and connected for rotation with a valve rotor, a secondary rotary element (5) coupled to a driven device and connected for rotation with a valve stator, the valve stator and the valve rotor mutually cooperating to control a double acting servomotor of the driven device, a limited relative angular displacement being permitted between primary and secondary elements (3, 5) on either side from a central rest position, and a reaction mechanism being provided in order to bias the primary element (3) toward the central rest position. According to the invention, the reaction mechanism consists of a pair of independent substantially U-shaped pistons (7) able to tilt within respectively one bore (12) of a pair of bores symmetrically provided in secondary element (5), the legs (15) of U-shaped pistons (7) engaging and biasing opposite radial ends (4) of primary rotary element (3).

Abstract: A seal (22) having a cylindrical body (56) with a first bead (66) located between a mounting flange (42) on a master cylinder (12) and end wall (74) of a front shell (72) of a brake booster (14) and a second bead (68) retained on a piston (18) located in a bore (26) of the master cylinder (12). The cylindrical body (56) maintains the piston (18) in axial alignment with an output push rod (20) in the brake booster (14) when the mounting flange (42)is positioned on bolts (75, 75') extending from the end wall (74) of the front shell (72) to aid in the assembly of the master cylinder (12) with the brake booster (14).

Abstract: A plunger for a control valve having a head with a tab located in a slot in a hub member and a cylindrical body with a threaded projection connected to the head. Rotation of the cylindrical body moves the head in the slot to establish the space relationship between a reaction disc and a face on the head. The space relationship sets the distance that a reaction disc must be extruded by a reaction force before opposing an input force. The delay in opposing an input force assures that a predetermined force is developed and immediately supplied to a master cylinder.

Abstract: The combination solenoid valve and shuttle valve (60) with self-cleaning orifice (92) comprises a shuttle valve (50) which is slidingly and sealingly received at an end (40D) of the solenoid valve (40). The shuttle valve (50) includes a stepped interior opening (54) which includes an insert (55) providing a shuttle valve seat (91) opposite a self-aligning solenoid valve seat assembly (94) of the solenoid valve (40). The valve seat (91) of the shuttle valve (50) includes an orifice (92) which extends from an end opening (70) of the insert and communicates with an insert passage (63) at an outer radial portion of the insert (55). An opposite radial side of the insert (55) includes a port (67) which communicates with a longitudinal passage (66) of the insert (55). Disposed within the longitudinal passage (66) is a brake-master cylinder check valve (59), and a stabilization check valve (58) adjacent a filter element (80) which permits communication with the insert passage (63).