Abstract: A servomotor having a front shell with an annular wall in which an annular groove is located adjacent to an open end thereof. A rear shell has a peripheral ledge with radial lugs which are aligned in slots on the annular wall of the front shell. A diaphragm secured to a hub, which can move within the annular wall, has a bead with a contour which matches the annular wall from the annular groove to the slots. The peripheral ledge on the rear shell engages and compresses the bead of the diaphragm against the annular wall and groove of the front shell to separate a front chamber from a rear chamber when tabs on the open end of the annular wall lock the lugs against the slots.

Abstract: An antirattle spring for a disc brake is disclosed in which the resilient or "working" portion of the spring is located away from the torque-taking elements of the brake. Consequently, the working portion of the spring does not have to take braking torque, and therefore is more likely to retain its resiliency than are prior art antirattle springs. The spring includes the working portion, and further includes a pair of complementary shaped legs extending from the working portion into the clearance between the torque transmitting portion of the friction element and the torque absorbing portion of the torque member.

Abstract: In an input control unit for a vehicle anti-skid braking system, a wheel-speed sensor delivers speed signals to the first input of a differential amplifier. Simultaneously, a capacitor is charged through a resistor and a diode. The capacitor is discharged at a constant rate into a device connected to the second input of the differential amplifier. Another diode prevents the voltage across the capacitor from becoming higher than the voltage of the speed signals. The braking pressure is released for the duration of output signals produced by the differential amplifier. The duration of these signals is kept within safe limits due to the fact that the additional diode limits the voltage across the capacitor.

Abstract: A tie bar or flexible coupling particularly adapted to interconnect a helicopter rotor arm and a rotor blade is provided with a pair of spaced-apart end bushings connected by an endless belt which belt is defined by a plurality of spaced-apart parallel wires suitably integrated by a polyurethane adhesive. A pair of spaced-apart annular clips located between the end bushings surround the belt and draw opposite sides of the belt inwardly toward an axis extending through the end bushings about which axis the tie bar is adapted to twist under load. Opposing surfaces of each clip against which the belt sides bear are curved to form convex bearing surfaces causing the belt sides to assume a corresponding convex shape thereby deflecting the outer or edge wires less than the inner or center wires resulting in a lower tensile force imposed on the outer or edge wires than the inner or center wires during twisting motion of the belt about the axis thereof.

Abstract: In a servomotor having a first diameter piston concentric to a second diameter piston for supplying a braking system with a first pressurizing force and a second pressurizing force in response to an operator input. A transfer valve has a first face and a second face which are located on opposite sides of a radial bore in the second piston to receive a first pressurizing force. The transfer valve has an axial passageway therethrough which communicates relief or reservoir pressure to the first and second faces of the transfer valve to provide a balance pressure force on the same. A spring holds the second face of the transfer valve against a seat to prevent communication of the first pressurizing force into the relief chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tandem master-cylinder for a split braking system of an automotive vehicle. The master-cylinder comprises two pressure chambers, the first one between the control piston and the floating piston and the second or front chamber before the floating piston. The first chamber communicates with a first outlet port which is connected to a second outlet port through a by-pass valve. The by-pass valve is secured to a tappet-rod projecting into the second chamber to be engaged by the floating piston, upon pressure failure in the second chamber and so that the by-pass valve is opened. The first outlet port is adapted to be connected to a set of brake actuators through a braking correcting valve while the second outlet port is adapted to be directly connected to said set of brake actuators.

Abstract: A pad in which an extension is formed with four sliding and bracing edges arranged in pairs to slidably cooperate with corresponding grooves provided in the torque taking member of a disc brake is characterized in that the extension forms a T of which each end comprises a first of the edges substantially parallel to the line of application of the tangential force generated during braking, and a second of the edges inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the line of application of the tangential force. The angle so defined is such that the forces transmitted to the torque taking member are minimized.

Abstract: Carbon cloth sheaths impregnated with oxidation inhibiting materials are located between drive slots on the periphery of a carbon friction disc to prevent structural degradation of a band of continuous carbon fibers located in the disc through which a braking torque is uniformly distributed throughout the carbon friction disc during frictional engagement. A metal screen is mated to the carbon cloth by a resin binder. The metal screen carbon cloth sheaths or caps may be held on the disc periphery by locating pins to permit a resin binder bond to be established between each cap and associated arcuate segment of the periphery of the carbon friction disc. Anchor pins which hold a series of metal reinforcing plates in a fixed position with the drive slots extend through the walls of the reinforced carbon caps and the carbon friction disc to reduce the possibility of delamination between the reinforced carbon caps and the periphery.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for use in a servomotor to control the rate of the flow of air through a hub to a control valve. A push rod has a first section connected to the control valve and a second section through which an operator supplies an operational input signal. A truncated resilient disc holds the first and second sections of the push rod away from each other. A filter surrounds the second section and extends radially to fill the interior of the hub. A series of projections extend rearwardly from the truncated resilient disc along the exterior of the filter. When the operator desires to begin a braking sequence, an input force is applied from the operator through the second section into the truncated resilient disc to the first section to actuate the control valve. With the control valve actuated, air will flow from the atmosphere through the filter into the servomotor.

Abstract: An organic friction pad having iron powder particles added thereto to provide thermal stability when used with a copper rotor to maintain a substantially uniform coefficient of friction up to 550.degree. F.

Abstract: A worn lining indicator for a disc brake friction pad is disclosed which includes a vibrating reed which is adapted to engage the disc brake rotor upon a predetermined amount of lining wear to thereby produce a relatively loud noise to warn the vehicle operator of the worn condition of the friction pad. The reed is carried by a base portion of the warning device which in turn is attached to an unlined portion of the backing plate of the friction pad. The base portion of the warning device includes a pair of projecting detents that are adapted to gauge corresponding intersecting edges of the projecting portion of the backing plate to thereby orient the reed so that, upon engagement of the latter with the rotor, the reed will be aligned along a radius of the rotor.

Abstract: A heavy duty disc brake is disclosed which is provided with an automatic adjuster mechanism to limit retraction of the friction elements to a substantially predetermined amount to thereby maintain the running clearances between the friction elements and the brake rotor substantially constant. The adjustment mechanism includes an extensible member which is slidably mounted within the caliper housing and which interconnects a mechanical actuating mechanism and a piston which engages one of the friction pads. The piston is slidably mounted within the housing and is disposed between the extensible element and the corresponding friction pad, and the piston carries a spring-actuated pawl. The pawl is adapted to engage corresponding ratchet teeth on one portion of the extendible member, which includes a pair of threadedly interconnected, relatively rotatable members, designed so that upon relative rotation between the members, the extendible member extends.

Abstract: A fluid servo network having a servo fluid pressure responsive movable output member controlled by a variable area orifice the effective area of which is established by a movable servo valve which is actuated by lever means in response to a variable force input applied thereto. The lever means includes a main input lever responsive to the variable force input and an opposing variable feedback force which varies in response to the reaction of the output member to establish a force balance on the main input lever. The main input lever is attached to a roller loaded by a constant reference force and movable along a secondary lever mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis to vary the effective lever arm of the secondary lever which is attached to the servo valve. The input torque tending to close the servo valve is opposed by the torque derived from a characteristic orifice force unbalance acting through the secondary lever.

Abstract: A power braking apparatus having a housing with a cavity therein through which a fluid under pressure is continually flowing. A piston separates the cavity into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The piston has a passageway for connecting the inlet chamber from the outlet chamber. A valve in the passageway is adapted to regulate the flow of fluid from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. A disc located in the stem of the valve is resiliently biased against a head on the stem. One side of the disc is connected to the inlet chamber and the other is connected to the outlet chamber. An actuation input moves the valve toward a seat to restrict the flow of fluid between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber and establish a pressure differential therebetween. This pressure differential will move the piston to provide an output force.

Abstract: A control valve for use with a force-reversing modulator in a vehicle adaptive braking system is disclosed. The valve includes a housing divided into a first section connected to one side of the modulator, a second connected to engine manifold vacuum, and a third section connected to the other side of the modulator. A solenoid valve controls communication between the first section and air at atmospheric pressure. Upon actuation of the solenoid valve, the first section is communicated to air at atmospheric pressure to thereby communicate the one side of the modulator to atmospheric air. The high pressure air in the first section acts against a piston reciprocal within the housing to open another valve connecting the third section with the second section, to thereby communicate the other side of the modulator with engine manifold vacuum.

Abstract: A hydraulic booster is disclosed which includes a control valve comprising a sleeve-shaped spool and a control piston slidably mounted at one end of said spool. The control piston projects into a control chamber filled with hydraulic fluid and in which are movable an operator-operated input member and an output member connected to a boost piston slidably mounted in a working chamber. The pressure generated in the control chamber shifts the control piston and the spool to a position admitting fluid pressure from a pump into the working chamber. The ratio of the effective areas of the control valve respectively submitted to the control pressure and to the pressure prevailing in the working chamber is about two.

Abstract: A disc brake is disclosed which includes a rotatable disc, a pair of friction elements disposed opposite friction faces of the disc, and a caliper movable axially with respect to the disc to urge the friction element into braking engagement with the friction faces of the disc when a brake application is effected. The caliper includes a fluid motor portion which includes a pair of circumferentially spaced arms which traverse the periphery of the rotor. The caliper further includes a stamped collar member which encircles the friction elements and the fluid motor portion and includes a circumferentially spaced section which traverse the periphery of the discs. Fastening means secure each of the arms to the portion of the collar disposed adjacent the friction element engaging the side of the disc opposite to the side of the disc on which the fluid motor portion is mounted.

Abstract: A cylindrical heat shield provided with circumferentially spaced apart axially extending drive members adapted to engage the wheel and a plurality of brake rotor friction discs interleaved with a plurality of brake stator friction discs which discs are adapted to be urged axially into engagement to retard rotation of the wheel. The shield surrounds the plurality of rotor and stator discs and reduces undesirable heat influx to the wheel from the plurality of friction discs radially inward therefrom.

Abstract: A multiple disc brake having a brake actuating annular pressure plate energized by a plurality of circumferentially arranged fluid pressure responsive pistons housing brake adjusting/reset members including a deformable fixed tube and associated movable ball for deforming the same wherein the deformable tube is engageable with spaced apart fixed stops and spring actuated from one stop to a second stop upon release of the brake to establish a predetermined brake running clearance.

Abstract: A worn lining warning indicator used on a disc brake is disclosed. The indicator includes a projection which extends from the edge of the friction element and which wears away as the friction lining wears. A spring arm is carried by the friction element and includes a portion which extends over the periphery of the projection and also over the periphery of the rotor. Initially, when the brake linings are new, the projection on the friction element supports the resilient member away from the periphery of the disc. However, when the linings have worn an amount sufficient to wear the projection away, the resiliency of the member biases the end of the latter into engagement with the periphery of the rotor. The engagement of the resilient member with discontinuities on the rotor periphery produces a unique, pulsating, "picket fence" noise as the rotor rotates to thereby warn the vehicle operator that the brake linings need replacement.