Abstract: In an antiskid control apparatus, brake pressures of a plurality of wheels are increased by using a hydraulic pressure generated by a master cylinder. When the running speed of a vehicle becomes lower than predetermined value due to a braking operation, a brake-pressure adjusting unit increases the brake pressures applied to the plurality of wheels with timings different from each other. In this way, it is possible to reduce changes with time in amount of fluid flowing out of the master cylinder.

Abstract: A manifold (24) is interposed between a pipe bracket (26) and a service valve (30) of a passenger rail car (20) braking system (22) also having a brake application relay valve (32), a primary control reservoir (48), a emergency control reservoir (54), and a main reservoir (44). The manifold includes electronically controlled emergency fill (78), normal fill (80), vent (82), and bypass (84) valves and pneumatically controlled secondary emergency fill (136), secondary normal fill (138), secondary vent (140) and manifold relay (142) valves. Electrical signals are received by the electronically controlled valves (78, 80, 84) which then operate the pneumatically controlled valves (136, 138, 142) to transmit pressure from the control reservoirs (48,54) to a brake application relay valve (32). The brake application relay valve then operates to transmit pressure from a main reservoir (44) to a braking device (36) which brakes the passenger rail car (20).

Abstract: The strut comprises a ball bearing (42) located below the lower retainer ) of the spring (4). The ball bearing (42) is centered on an eccentric collar (27) in order to shift the center of the ball bearing (42) by a distance e from the axis of the shock absorber. Rotation between the body (2) of the shock absorber and the hub holder (5) displaces the center of the ball bearing (42), which shifts the lower retainer (41) accordingly. Using a suitable measuring bench, the strut is adjusted precisely upon the assembling thereof.

Abstract: In a lean burn engine for a vehicle wherein an ordinary air-fuel ratio and a lean air-fuel ratio are selectively applied, an engine output is reduced when a slip of a drive wheel is detected. By controlling the air-fuel ratio when the engine output is reduced to an ordinary air-fuel ratio, the engine is prevented from becoming unstable even when output is reduced at a lean air -fuel ratio. Preferably, when the engine output reduction has terminated, the air-fuel ratio is returned to the air-fuel ratio prior to the output reduction.

Abstract: The coil spring of a vehicle shock absorber is seated on an annular elastomeric pad that is equipped with a reinforced peripheral flange adapted to maintain the lowermost convolution of the spring on the elastomeric pad should the spring break during service. An annular steel band is incorporated into the elastomeric band to provide a reinforced flange structure resistant to deformation.

Abstract: A process and a device for controlling the brake system of a vehicle, in which in traction control and at the beginning of the control, a braking force build-up independent on the slippage takes place, which is stopped when a sizable braking effect is detected on the spinning wheel. Alternatively or in addition to this system, it is provided that, when the vehicle decelerates in active traction control, the braking force build-up pulses and/or the braking force decrease pulses are determined as a function of the measured slippage of at least one wheel, while outside these areas the pulses are determined so that the increase in braking force takes place in steps with the same change in the braking force.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a spring strut for motor vehicles comprising a hydropneumatic vibration damper and a supporting spring. The vibration damper has a piston rod connected with a piston and is axially guided in a piston rod guide at the end of a container. The piston rod is outwardly sealed by a piston rod seal. The piston rod guide comprises a damping valve acted upon by external forces, such as the force of the supporting spring arranged between a structural component part connected with the vehicle and a spring carrier surrounding the container of the spring strut. The spring carrier acts on the damping valve with a contact surface. The supporting spring and/or the spring carrier cooperates with at least one auxiliary device exerting a force. The auxiliary device is supported at the container by a structural component part that is fixed with respect to the container or at a vehicle part which is connected with the container.

Abstract: A disc brake arrangement for motor vehicles is disclosed which comprises at least two brake pads (4,5) supported by a brake yoke (1), one side of said pads exhibiting a friction surface (11), which is arranged to face towards a rotatable brake disc (3). In a vehicle braking position, each brake unit is brought to an active position by means of two actuators (8,9) which act against the second side (10) of said brake unit. Thereby, each actuator exhibits an end portion (21) which is intended to transfer movement of the actuators from each respective second side of the brake pad to each respective brake pad. On the second side, each brake pad exhibits a first coupling member (27,28), arranged for each actuator. The end portions of the actuators exhibit second coupling members (37,38) for positioning of the brake pads.

Abstract: A dust shield for the inboard side of a brake assembly of a vehicle wheel end is formed from a pair of planar members which are shaped and adapted to be fitted together to form an annular disc having an external diameter and an internal diameter. An internal periphery is defined by the internal diameter which preferably includes a flanged surface for affixing the annular disc to the wheel end. The pair of planar members are semicircular annular portions, having an arcuate outer edge and an inner edge, the inner edge comprising two straight portions with an intermediate semicircular portion. Complementary means, preferably sets of corresponding tabs and mating slots, for affixing the first and second planar members to each other to form the annular disc are provided on the inner edges of the planar members.

Abstract: A brake operating apparatus includes a brake member bracket for attachment to a handlebar, wherein the brake member bracket includes a concave inner surface defining a switch mounting recess. A brake member such as a brake lever is movably attached to the brake member bracket, and the switch mounting recess is structured for mounting an electrical switch therein. Since the switch is mounted within a recess in the brake member bracket, the switch does not project excessively from the brake member bracket. A flexible cover is disposed on the brake member bracket to cover the first and second push buttons. Since the push buttons project slightly from the brake member bracket, the flexible cover includes a first protrusion disposed over the first push button and a second protrusion disposed over the second push button. To help the rider distinguish between the two push buttons, the first protrusion is shaped differently from the second protrusion.

Abstract: An air spring has a pair of spaced end members for mounting the spring at spaced locations on a structure. A flexible sleeve of elastomeric material is sealingly engaged with the end members and forms a pressurized fluid chamber therebetween. A post is mounted on one of the end members and extends into the fluid chamber. A shock absorbing bumper formed of a high strength plastic is snap-fitted on an enlarged top of the post. One or more bumper extensions are stackable and matable on top of the bumper so as to allow for height adjustment without bumper removal.

Abstract: A brake circuit is provided for providing a fluid communication between a master cylinder and a brake cylinder of a road wheel. A fluid pressure control valve is installed in the brake circuit for controlling the fluid pressure in the brake cylinder. A reservoir is connected to a discharge circuit extending from the fluid pressure control valve. A pump includes a cylinder member, a plunger movably disposed in the cylinder member to define a volume variable pressure chamber, and a seal member operatively disposed between the cylinder member and the plunger to hermetically insulating the pressure chamber. A first inlet circuit conveys the brake fluid in the reservoir to the pressure chamber of the pump, a second inlet circuit conveys the brake fluid in the master cylinder to the pressure chamber of the pump, and an outlet circuit conveys the brake fluid in the pressure chamber of the pump to the fluid pressure control valve. An outside gate valve selectively opens and closes the brake circuit.

Abstract: A controllable secondary suspension system (20) for vehicle cabs (18) and the like which flexibly suspends and controls movement of the vehicle's cab (22) relative to the vehicle's frame (24). The system (20) includes at least one flexible support (26), which are preferably two spaced apart air springs flexibly suspending the cab (22) relative to the frame (24), at least one controllable fluid damper, and preferably two spaced-apart controllable fluid dampers, such as Magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers (28, 28'), interconnected between the cab (22) and the frame (24). In one aspect, the system (20) may include at least one sensor, such as a relative position sensor (30), for providing relative vibration information between the cab (22) and the frame (24), and a controller (36) for processing the relative vibration information to determine current to be supplied to the controllable fluid damper (28) to control the degree of damping thereof.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit includes a cylinder in which a piston rod is located so that the piston rod can move axially. A first connection mechanism is connected to the cylinder, and a second connection mechanism is connected to the piston rod. A positioning cylinder, with a pressure medium connection, is effectively connected to one of the first and second connection mechanisms. The distance between the first and second connection mechanisms can be set by the addition or discharge of pressure medium to or from the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder is located in series with the cylinder, and the piston rod forms a guide path or track for the positioning cylinder.

Abstract: An electronic brake controller for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle in response to commands from the towing vehicle. The controller implements a microcontroller (10) that works in conjunction with analog circuit technology.

Abstract: A controllable strut (10) includes a helical spring (22) which extends between first and second end portions (12 and 14) of the strut (10). A field responsive fluid (30) is disposed about the spring. A source of electromagnetic energy (40) provides a magnetic field through at least a portion of the fluid (30) and the spring (22). The fluid viscosity changes with changes in the intensity of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A drum brake device is provided in which a stroke before effectuating the parking brake effect of the brake shoes is restricted so that any disconcerting feeling to the driver and any delay in effectuating the parking brake when in an emergency situation are eliminated. The drum brake device includes a pair of the brake shoes 20, 21, a pivot lever 36 pivotally provided at one of the two brake shoes 21, a shoe clearance adjustment device provided between one end of the pivot lever 36 and one end of the brake shoe 20, and a strut provided between the other end of the pivot lever 36 and one end of the brake lever 28, wherein the braking force is transferable between the two brake shoes 20, 21 through the connection with the pivot lever 36. This produces a duo-servo type of brake device. The brake shoe 21 functions as a trailing shoe in which the lining wears slower when the service brake is in operation.

Abstract: An adjustable energy absorption device whose setting can be rendered tamper-proof, and a method of rendering the setting of an adjustable energy absorption device tamper-proof. The device is of the type that includes an outer cylinder and an adjustment member extending from one end thereof, the rotational position of the adjustment member determining the resisting force setting of the device. A frangible portion connects a first end portion of the adjustment member to a second end portion thereof, the first end portion being freely accessible from outside the outer cylinder, and the second end portion being retained within the outer cylinder. The resisting force setting of the device is adjusted to a predetermined setting by gripping the first end portion and rotating the adjustment member. The first end portion is then broken away from the second end portion at the frangible portion to thus render the setting of the device tamper-proof and, for all practical purposes, permanent.

Abstract: An auxiliary hydraulic pressure source device for use with an antilock brake system in a vehicle includes an accumulator that can be reduced in size without deteriorating the performance of the vehicle brakes. The auxiliary hydraulic pressure source device also includes a hydraulic pump for delivering brake fluid into a high-pressure brake fluid output line. A first one-way valve connects this output line with the accumulator only when the hydraulic pressure inside the output line exceeds the hydraulic pressure inside the accumulator by more than a given value .DELTA.P. A second one-way valve connects the accumulator with the output line only when the hydraulic pressure inside the output line is lower than the hydraulic pressure inside the accumulator.

Abstract: An air damper has a cylinder member provided at its opposite ends with openings. One opening is formed with a seal surface. A piston member is movable in the cylinder member along an axial direction of the cylinder member so as to generate a variation in pressure in the cylinder member. A cap member is provided on the one opening of the cylinder member. At least a portion of the cap member is capable of moving between a state where the cap member is in contact with the seal surface and a state where the cap member is separated from the seal member in correspondence with the variation in pressure caused by the movement of the piston member. Further, in a state where the cap member is separated from the seal surface, air in the cylinder member can flow out from a space between the cap member and the seal surface.