Abstract: A brake system having a master cylinder with a center port compensation valve wherein a head on a stem for caging a return spring moves within a poppet assembly as a direct function of the compression of the return spring during the development of pressurized fluid that is supplied to wheel brake to effect a brake application.

Abstract: A braking device, for a motor vehicle, comprising: a master cylinder (2), a primary piston (3) mounted to slide in the master cylinder, a manual-control member (4), a booster coupled to the manual-control member, an emergency assist valve (VA) comprising a reaction piston (17a) and a rapid piston (17b), and a ratio control (T) actuated by a plunger distributor (10) driven by the manual-control member (4). The reaction piston (17a) and the rapid piston (17b) form one and the same stepped piston (17) having a part (17a) of large cross section and a part (17b) of small cross section, the large-section part (17a) determining, with a first bore (18) of the primary piston (3), a variable-volume annular chamber (27).

Abstract: A disk brake cylinder having a bore for retaining a piston (5) connected by an input shaft (11) to a parking brake mechanism. The input shaft (11) is rotated to provide linear translation of the piston through a ball ramp mechanism to effect a parking brake application. The ball-ramp mechanism includes a first groove (5) located on a face (11′) of the input shaft (11) and a second groove (15′) located on a face (13′) of the moving member (13). The first (15) and second (15′) grooves retain and trap a plurality of balls (14) and have escapement zones (16,16′) with a convex surface that extend from a bottom (26) of the groove (15).

Abstract: A master cylinder for electro-hydraulic braking systems having a body of longitudinal axis pierced with a bore to receive a piston mounted to slide therein in a sealed fashion while axially dividing the bore into a supply chamber sealedly connected to a brake fluid reservoir and a working chamber. The piston is operated by an actuating rod connected to a brake pedal and connected to a cartridge to simulate a reaction of a braking circuit to the pedal. The working chamber in normal operation is in communication with the inside of the cartridge and in degraded operation in communication with at least one brake located at a wheel. The cartridge includes a piston that is subjected via of a first face to the pressurized brake fluid supplied by the working chamber and is subjected via of a second face to a variable-stiffness elastic of a elastic member. The elastic member comprises at least one helical spring and a spacer that is arranged between at least two turns of the spring.

Abstract: A linkage for connecting a brake cable to an actuator lever in a drum-in-hat park brake assembly. The linkage is defined by a continuous wire that is shaped into a base with parallel and adjacent first and second legs located in a first plane perpendicular to the base and parallel and adjacent third and fourth legs located in a second plane perpendicular to the base. The first and second legs each have a first section that extend a first distance from the base to a first loop and a second section that extend a second distance from the first loop to a second loop while the third and fourth legs extend a third distance from the base. The base has an opening defined by a complementary shape created between the first leg and the third leg and the second leg and the fourth leg.

Abstract: An linkage for connecting a brake cable to an lever in a drum-in-hat park brake assembly. The linkage is defined by a continuous wire that is shaped into a first engagement section that is separated from a second engagement section by a center section. The first engagement section is define by a loop that extends from the center section while the second engagement section is defined by a hook with an end that is spaced apart from the center section a distance that is greater than a radius of the hook such that a resilient force is required to move the end in a plane away from the center section and thereafter receive a loop on the brake cable through which an actuation force is transmitted to move a lever and effect a brake application.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake booster for use in a brake system having a housing with a power piston located in a first bore and a control valve located in a second bore. An input member is connected to the power piston and linked to the control valve by a lever arrangement. The input member is characterized by a cylindrical body with a shaft attached thereto. A bracket with a radial opening is carried by the shaft and urged toward a head on the shaft by a spring. The lever arrangement is characterized by a first lever with a first end pivotally secured in the housing by a first pin and a second end located in the radial opening of the bracket and a second lever pivotally secured at a fulcrum on the first lever by a second pin extending through the first and second levers.

Abstract: A brake booster amplifies driver brake pedal input into an output force and travel for operating a master cylinder. A power unit builds and stores high pressure fluid to provide boost. Inlet and outlet solenoid valves regulate pressurized fluid to the amplifying mechanism. In one embodiment, a single boost chamber provides fluid pressure to operate the master cylinder and to provide a brake pressure indicative opposing force to driver input. One travel sensor monitors the position and movement of an input rod and piston, and a second travel sensor monitors the position and movement of an output piston. An ECU monitors system parameters and controls a motor pump, inlet and outlet valves and peripherals. In another embodiment, the opposing force to the brake pedal input is provided by a separate pressure fluid chamber located within and movable with the output piston. Boost chamber pressure and, optionally, output piston travel are monitored to provide a braking force indication.

Abstract: A drum brake having a disc with a peripheral surface with a plurality of radial guides interspersed between a first radial abutment and a second radial abutment. The plurality of radial guides receive a first arcuate channel member on a first brake shoe and a second arcuate channel member on a second brake to align a first reaction surface on the first channel with the first radial abutment and a second reaction surface with the second radial abutment. An actuator provides a force to move the first reaction surface moves away from the first radial abutment and the second reaction surface from the second radial abutment to initiate a brake application.

Abstract: A brake booster (12) having a housing (18) with an interior separated into a front chamber (26) and a rear chamber (28) by a wall (30) retained on a peripheral surface (106) of a cylindrical body (34) of a hub (32). The cylindrical body (34) is characterized by having a radial flange (100) that extends from a first end (44), a ledge (102) located adjacent the radial flange (100), an annular shoulder (104) that extends from the peripheral surface (106) and a groove (108) located between the ledge (102) and shoulder (104). The groove (108) has a depth (d) adjacent the shoulder (104) that is approximately equal to the height (h) of the shoulder (104) above the peripheral surface (106) and a side wall (110) that transitions from the groove (108) into the ledge (102). The wall (30) is characterized by a metal disc (38) having an axial flange (202) that extends from a first end (204) into an annular slot (218) in a diaphragm (36) to define a lip (40).

Abstract: A braking device comprising a master cylinder (2), a primary piston (3), a manual control member (4), a booster (6) coupled to the manual control member (4) and an emergency assist valve (VA). The emergency assist valve comprising a reaction piston (17) through which there passes a ratio control (T) having a head (26a) situated in a chamber (35) lying between the reaction piston (17) and a bushing (36) located further forward in a bore (18) in the primary piston. The bushing (36) has a bore (37) in which there can slide a rapid piston (38), the rear end (45) of which forms, with the head (26a) of the ratio control, a valve (C). The valve (C) is capable of closing the inlet to a passage (39) in the rapid piston against the action of a spring (41). The braking device comprises a means (26, 27, 30) for preventing a sharp retreat of the reaction piston (17) when the manual control member (4) is released after slow braking.

Abstract: A method of attaching a bearing (216) and hub (214) to a knuckle (212) in a corner assembly (220) of a vehicle to prevent the introduction of lateral moments into a plurality of rollers (232,234,232′,234′) retained in the bearing (216). The bearing (216) has an inner race (222) and an outer race (226) with the plurality of rollers (232,234,232′,234′) being retained between an outer race (226) and an inner race (222). The hub (214) has a cylindrical body with a flange (220) located adjacent a first end (219) and a mounting surface (224) located adjacent a second end (213). The flange (220) has a plurality of axial openings (250,250′ . . . 250n) that are spaced in an arc with respect to an axis of the cylindrical body. After the inner race (222) is located on the mounting surface (224), the inner race (222) is fixed to the cylindrical body. Thereafter, hub (214) is placed on a tool (242) such that a plurality of pins (248,248′ . . .

Abstract: A plunger arrangement (46,56,58) for a braking servomotor that has an actuating piston to provide a force to activate a master cylinder. The plunger arrangement (46,56,58) is located in a bore of a movable wall (14) that separates the interior of the servomotor into a front chamber and rear chamber, The plunger arrangement (46,56,58) is connected to a resiliently returned control rod (38) and slides in bore as a function of an input force to define a braking application. The end of the plunger arrangement (46,56,58) is slidingly fitted so as to bias a reaction disk of the actuating rod and transmit a reaction force to the control rod. The plunger arrangement (46,56,58) includes a unidirectional clutch device (56) comprising a key (60) and a sleeve (58) that are slidably mounted on a plunger (46) such that when the control rod (38) is actuated at a given speed the sleeve (58) is locked in the bore of the movable wall (14), independently of the control rod (38), to maintain a braking application.

Abstract: An adjustable timing system controlled by a water meter indicator activates an electric shut-off valve at a main water supply to a building or apartment unit if a continuous flow of water exceeds the time setting. The timing system may optionally be set to a full open condition bypassing the timing function and allowing unrestricted water flow or an off condition preventing any water flow. The timing system is reset to begin anew timing the continuous flow of water each time that flow ceases and may be manually reset after a continuous flow of water has exceeded the time setting or a power interruption has disabled the water flow.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly for a vehicle wherein first and second brake shoes are positioned on a backing plate and radially aligned with a drum by a resilient arrangement. The resilient arrangement is characterized by first and second spring each of which have a first helical coil located between a first engagement section and a second engagement section, a second helical coil that extends from a first end of the first engagement section to a second end and a third helical coil that extends from a first end of the second section to second end. The second ends of the first and second engagement sections are connected to the backing plate such that the first and second engagement sections contact the first and second shoes and the second and third helical coils urge the first and second shoes toward the backing plate while the first helical coils urges the first and second shoes toward an actuator and an adjuster to define a rest position for the first and second brake shoes.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly has a support member secured to a vehicle to position a caliper over a rotor. The caliper has a housing with a bore therein for retaining a piston and a first friction member attached thereto in alignment with a first braking surface on the rotor and a bridge that straddles the rotor to position a second friction member in alignment with a second braking surface on the rotor. The bore receives pressurized fluid from a source that acts on the piston to develop an actuation force for moving the first friction member into engagement with the first braking surface and acts on the housing to cause the caliper to move the second friction member into engagement with the second braking surface to effect a brake application. The first and second friction members have a first initial thickness and the rotor has a second initial thickness that are reduced with each brake application.