Abstract: A spring brake actuator that utilizes a valve for providing compressed air to a spring cavity, the air having previously been dried and filtered so as to prevent contaminates and moisture from corroding and/or damaging the spring in the spring cavity, the valve being actuated by a difference in pressure from one side of the valve to the other.

Abstract: A swash plate containment assembly for a compressor is disclosed generally comprising a housing, a drive shaft, a swash plate mounted on the drive shaft, and a gimbal arm connected to the housing and swash plate via rotatable joints. In certain embodiments, the joints are located approximately ninety degrees from each other. In some embodiments, the joints comprise a roller bearing and journal coupled thereto.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly includes a housing defining a spring chamber. A spring is disposed in the spring chamber, the spring being biased toward an extended position and movable against the bias toward a caged position. A release assembly is provided for selectively moving and retaining the spring against the bias toward the caged position, the release assembly comprising a hollow release bolt having a fluid passage passing therethrough by which fluid passage the spring chamber is in fluid communication with an environment surrounding the housing. A filter is disposed within the fluid passage in the hollow release bolt for filtering fluid passing through the fluid passage.

Abstract: A compressed air supply system includes a compressor and an air dryer connected to receive compressed air from the compressor. The dryer includes a desiccant bed through which the compressed air flows to provide dry compressed air, and a blow-through valve operable to connect the desiccant bed to atmosphere. Secondary and primary reservoirs located remotely from the dryer are connected to receive dry compressed air from the dryer. Control components integral with the dryer are provided for controlling a charging operation by controlling air flow from the compressor through the dryer for charging the primary and secondary reservoirs with dry compressed air. The control components also control a purging operation by controlling air flow from the secondary reservoir through the dryer desiccant bed and through the blow-through valve to atmosphere in order to purge the dryer, while maintaining an initial air pressure within the primary reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning components of a brake system, which includes a push rod, a ball end coupled to the push rod, and a force transfer member placed between the push rod and the ball end. The force transfer member has both a flowable property and a solidifying property, whereby the force transfer member is flowable when being placed between the push rod and ball end and, after a passage of time, the force transfer member solidifies.

Abstract: A service brake actuator (10) having a unitary pushrod assembly (42) in combination with a bushing (62) having a separable portion that permits the assembly of the service brake actuator without the need for the clevis (48) to be removably mounted to the pushrod.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator has a sealed spring chamber with a hot set large force compression spring. An alternative embodiment has the hot set spring guided by the actuator rod.

Abstract: A sealed air-operated brake actuator comprising a brake actuator divided into a spring chamber and a pressure chamber. An extra-large force compression spring is contained in the spring chamber. The spring chamber is fluidly exhausted through a one-way valve located in the end of an actuator rod extending out of the brake actuator. The large force compression spring overcomes any vacuum or pressure that might form within the spring chamber upon the release of the parking brake and the one-way valve relieves any pressure buildup in the spring chamber upon the release of the parking brake.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator having a flange case and a head is provided. The flange case and the head each have a radially outwardly extending annular flange having a plurality of radially spaced apart axial holes passing therethrough which correspond to and align with each other. A diaphragm is clamped in a fluid tight manner between the annular flange of the head and the annular flange of the flange case. A plurality of disassembleable fastening members pass through the holes in the annular flange of the head and the holes in the annular flange of the flange case in order to undetachably secure the head on the flange case.

Abstract: A service brake actuator having a housing base having a center portion and a housing cover having a center portion is provided. The center portion of the housing base and the center portion of the housing cover telescopingly fit together in an assembled position and define an annular space therebetween. A diaphragm having a thickness greater than the thickness of the annular space between the center portion of the housing base and the center portion of the housing cover is held in the annular space by radial forces generated by compression of the diaphragm in the annular space. It should be understood that the magnitude of the radial forces holding the diaphragm in the annular space is variable depending on the thickness of the annular space.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator having a flange case and a head, each of which includes a radially outwardly extending annular flange, is provided. The actuator also includes an annular retaining member comprised of two halves and having an annular peripheral groove therearound. The retaining member includes first and second radially inwardly protruding portions, the first radially inwardly protruding portion engaging the annular flange of the head and having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the annular flange of the head, and the second radially inwardly protruding portion engaging the annular flange of the flange case and having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the annular flange of the flange case. A retaining ring is disposed within the annular peripheral groove, and exerts compressive forces to hold the halves of the retaining member together to inhibit disassembly of the head and the flange case.

Abstract: An axial piston compressor produces air supplied to an air system of a vehicle, typically a heavy duty truck through a plurality of pistons held within a stationary block, and the movement of the pistons is predicated through the control of a pivotal swash plate. The pistons are idle in a neutral position of the swash plate, wherein a pressure above the pistons in the cylinder block counterbalances a thrust generated by an actuator upon the plate positioned in a plane extending perpendicular to a drive shaft. The plate oscillates in response to a pressure drop above the pistons causing the actuator to expand toward the plate and exert a thrust exceeding the lowered pressure above the pistons and enabling the swash plate to provide the pistons with reciprocal motion.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator having a flange case and a head is provided. The flange case includes a radially outwardly extending annular flange, and the head includes a shoulder and a collar extending therefrom. The collar includes a plurality of radially spaced apart slots defining a plurality of radially spaced apart tabs, each of the tabs having a hook portion projecting radially inwardly, and each of the tabs being elastically deformable radially outwardly. In an assembled position, when the head is attached to the flange case, the annular flange of the flange case is received by the collar of the head and the hook portions of the tabs engage a lower surface of the annular flange so as to inhibit separation of the head from the flange case.

Abstract: A system for electrically detecting different positions of a movable piston within a piston housing of a hydraulic system is provided. The system includes at least two electrically conductive pads mounted on the piston housing at different locations along the path of movement of the piston, an electrically conductive segment mounted on the piston housing along the path of movement of the piston adjacent the conductive pads, and an electrical coupler, such as a spring-loaded conductor, attached for movement with the piston to provide an electrical connection between each conductive pad and the conductive segment as the piston moves along within the piston housing. The system also includes an electronic control unit, which may be a microprocessor, coupled to each conductive pad and the conductive segment to detect electrical connection between each conductive pad and the conductive segment. Each electrical connection corresponds to a specific position of the piston.

Abstract: The invention provides a brake lining wear indicator for use with a brake pad/shoe having a friction lining secured to a plate. The indicator includes a flag positionable adjacent a thickness of the lining, and a base and a resilient member for clipping the indicator onto the plate. The base rigidly extends from the flag, generally perpendicular to the flag and is positionable against a side of the plate. The resilient member is for extending to the other side of the plate to clamp the base against the plate and secure the flag adjacent the thickness of the lining. The thickness of the lining can then be compared to the height of the flag to determine the amount of lining wear.

Abstract: A full-function value for the tractor-trailer vehicle is provided with a unitary valve body enveloping service brake, pressure-protection, at least one solenoid, modulator and delivery pistons actuatable to be displaced between respective rest and operative positions within the body to provide a regular braking and ABS braking modes of the full function valve.

Abstract: A contaminant-ejecting relay valve for a pneumatic brake system is disclosed. Two embodiments of the valve are disclosed: in one embodiment, the valve is actuated by pilot air pressure, which is either supply air pressure or control air pressure; in another embodiment, the valve is solenoid-actuated. In both embodiments, the valve comprises a housing enclosing a chamber; a control port in the housing in fluid communication with the chamber; an exhaust port in the housing permitting removal of contaminants from the chamber; a main piston mounted within the chamber and movable between a first position and a second position; an exhaust passage through the main piston connecting the chamber and the exhaust port in fluid communication; and a blocking member movable between an open and closed position for opening and closing the exhaust passage, such that when the blocking member is in the open position it permits pressurized air from the control port to eject contaminants from the chamber.

Abstract: A piston assembly including a piston having a work surface, a sidewall extending from the work surface, and ports in the sidewall. The piston assembly also includes a flexible lubricant-scraping ring clamped to the piston between the work surface and the ports, with the lubricant-scraping ring having an outer edge extending outwardly beyond the sidewall.