Abstract: A vehicle brake caliper with a piston having a cavity is provided. A phase change material is inserted within the piston cavity wherein an increase in heat energy into the piston due to an application of the brake piston causes the brake piston temperature to increase and then to stabilize by heat energy absorption by the phase change material during its change of state.

Abstract: In an apparatus for damping resilient wheel suspension systems in vehicles and the like having a piston/cylinder assembly, instantaneous, dynamic driving conditions are detected with sensors and serve to control the fluid flow through damping valves. The operative damping force at any time is controlled in such a way as to produce passive and active damping force components. Whenever the instantanteous course of motion requires a supply of energy from outside, the existing damping force is substantially nullified (semi-active damping). Separate options for acting upon the controlled pressure fluid are provided for the compression stage and tension stage; these options comprise the series circuit of two separate valves, one for each direction of motion (tension/compression stage). Four valves are thus present, with one each in the tension stage and one each in the compression stage for determining the active damping component and similarly one each for determining the passive damping component.

Abstract: A wheel chock device arrangement to be releasably secured to a vehicle wheel, such as a trailer wheel, for temporarily encumbering the normal rotation of the vehicle wheel. The wheel chock device includes a generally triangularly shaped enclosure having a plurality of surfaces defining a substantially wedge-shaped solid with a horizontal leg, a vertical leg, and an inclined leg between the vertical and horizontal legs. A pair of closed opposed end walls enclose the legs to create the wedge-shaped solid. A generally "U"-shaped wheel-engaging jaw with telescopically engagable first and second base segments is provided, with each base segment having a leg element extending generally at right angles from the base segments, and with opposed inwardly extending stub segments extending coaxially inwardly of the leg elements of the first and second base segments.

Abstract: A wheel comprises a central hub and an outer rim interconnected by a web, with a pair of annular braking discs being mounted one on each side of the web by connection assemblies each comprising a plate member slidably retained in a generally radially extending slot in the rear face of a braking disc. The plate members are preferably flexible and of a thickness less than the depth of the slot. Bolts secure the plate member to the web so that the braking discs are solely subjected to the pull of the flexed plate members irrespective of how tightly the bolts secure the plate member to the web.

Abstract: An improved shock absorbing and leveling system for vehicles or the like is disclosed and includes a shock absorber sub-assembly and an airspring sub-assembly that can be used as either an assist device for a primary spring or as a primary spring itself. The preferring airspring sub-assembly includes a relatively rigid chamber member and a rolling flexible diaphragm member sealingly interconnected to one another, with an electrical inductance height sensor surrounding the shock absorber and contained substantially wholly within the chamber member. The airspring sub-assembly also preferably includes a diaphragm support member that laterally supports the diaphragm member on the shock absorber housing in a laterally spaced-apart relationship at least at two longitudinal positions thereon. Advantageously, the shock absorber sub-assembly and the airspring sub-assembly are independently removable from one another and replaceable as separate sub-assemblies.

Abstract: A variable damping force shock absorber has a two separate bounding and rebounding fluid flow path, which the bounding fluid path is active for permitting fluid flow in a piston bounding stroke and the rebounding fluid path is active for permitting fluid flow in a piston rebounding stroke. A first flow restriction device is associated with the bounding fluid path for adjusting fluid flow path area of the bounding fluid path, which first flow restriction device is variable of magnitude of fluid flow restriction for adjusting damping characteristics for piston bounding stroke. A second flow restriction device is associated with the rebounding fluid flow path, which second flow restriction device is variable of flow restriction magnitude for adjusting damping characteristics for piston rebounding stroke. The first and second flow restriction devices are operable independently of each other.

Abstract: Selectively engagable auxiliary leaf springs (38 or 138) for vertically supporting a vehicle chassis (32) on an axle assembly (22 or 102) in parallel with main suspension springs (34 or 114). In three of the disclosed embodiments, both ends (38b,38a) of the auxiliary springs (38) are pivotally attached. In two other embodiments, one end (138a) of the auxiliary leaf springs (142) is pivotally attached and the other end (138b) is rigidly affixed in cantilever fashion. Actuators (56, 139 or 159) are employed to selectively enable or increase load supporting of the auxiliary leaf springs.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut incorporating an airspring around a hydraulic shock absorber is disclosed. The unique airspring design and orientation relative to the shock absorber axis creates a side acting force which counteracts the bending torque acting on the strut during operation in a vehicle and prevents binding of the shock absorber piston. The horizontal side load is achieved using a partial restraining sleeve which circumferentially shrouds the flexible member of the airspring. The partial restraining sleeve extends less than half way around the circumference of the airspring flexible member and has a radius less than the fully inflated radius of the flexible member therby creating a restraining force on only one side of the flexible member of the airspring.

Abstract: A bogie for a railway vehicle comprising of at least two articulated, pivotable and rotatable wheel body parts (2, 3) including wheels or a set of wheels (4, 5) mounted in bearings and the supporting body (6) of the bogie being connected to the parts by a suspension (9a, 9b) of the railway vehicle. In the bogie, two wheel body parts (2, 3) have been resiliently interconnected from their side constructions by two stabilizer constructions (16) both of which have been articulated to the supporting body (6).

Abstract: A solar powered cooling apparatus for a vehicle brake system utilizing a solar cell panel mounted within a vehicle front bumper to selectively actuate a blower motor located within an air duct housing. The air duct housing is connected to the front bumper of which has a plurality of forward openings with filtering screens so as to direct cool air flowing from the openings to the associated disk brake rotor. A plurality of openings are also formed on the top panel of the bumper of which the solar panel is operatively associated and where the openings can be adjusted via a slide plate operative through a push-pull cable located in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulically damped rubber bearing includes a journal bearing, a bearing member and an annular spring element of elastic material forming a bearing spring having a perpendicular axis of deformation. The bearing spring is disposed between the journal bearing and the bearing member. A fluid-filled working chamber is surrounded by the journal bearing, bearing member and bearing spring. A compensation chamber is connected in fluid communication with the working chamber via a damping port. At least one relief spring is formed of a substantially non-creeping and/or non-settling material. The relief spring is connected in parallel with the bearing spring to support the journal bearing on the bearing member when the rubber bearing is load.

Abstract: A caliper type brake for braking a brake disc including a caliper having a recess in the caliper on one side of the disc, a piston mounted in the caliper on the other side of the disc and including a recess, each recess having one or more ribs forming two or more cavities in each recess and a brake pad mounted in each recess, each brake pad being formed with a number of frangible portions, which break on engagement with the ribs to separate the brake pads into separate sections corresponding to the number of cavities in the recesses.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber controller for a wheel crane having a suspension provided with hydraulic shock absorbers. The hydraulic shock absorber controller connects a line connected to the active chambers of the hydraulic shock absorbers and a line connected to the inert chambers of the same before the wheel crane starts running to enable the working fluid to flow rapidly from the compressed chamber to the expanding chamber of each hydraulic shock absorber so that the hydraulic shock absorbers are able to function properly for shock absorbing operation while the wheel crane is running.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic braking system includes a tandem brake actuator including a service brake actuating section and an emergency/parking spring actuated section. Hold-off pressure is communicated to the emergency/parking section through a three-way solenoid valve from a pressure reservoir, and communication to the service actuator is controlled by an electro-pneumatic modulator. Service pressure is taken both from the branch of the conduit communicating with the air reservoir, and from the hold-off pressure in the emergency/parking reservoir. Accordingly, only a single line communicates fluid pressure from the reservoir to the brake, and service brake response time is improved because the hold-off pressure and the emergency/parking section of the actuator is used as a small reservoir immediately adjacent the service actuator.

Abstract: The brake circuit with hydraulic amplification of the input force is connected to a working chamber of a master cylinder (1) controlled by a brake pedal and comprises a source of fluid under high pressure (5), a brake motor (12) and a first valve (10) which, by way of a non-return valve (17), makes or breaks communication between the source of fluid under pressure (5) and the brake motor (12) as a function of the difference between the pressures of the fluid of the source and the fluid in the working chamber of the master cylinder. The brake circuit comprises, furthermore, a second valve (20) pilot-controlled by the pressure of the fluid of the source (5) and having a shutter (24) normally breaking communication between the working chamber and the brake motor (12) and making this communication in the event of a failure of the source.

Abstract: A spot-type disc brake for automotive vehicles, with a housing and with a brake carrier provided with two arms which are positioned in radial direction relative to the brake disc at a distance from each other and with a brake lining slidably guided at the arms in the direction of brake application and furnished with a carrier plate. The brake lining is connected to the arms in a positive locking fit in the direction of the circumference of the brake disc in such a manner that the frictional force occurring at the brake lining is transmitted to both arms at least in the presence of more elevated brake application forces. The arms with surfaces facing each other form a guide which is open in radially outward direction and serves to accommodate and guide the brake shoe. One arm in the vicinity of the brake disc is formed with a groove extending in the direction of brake application and is open outwardly.

Abstract: A mounting bushing block for a stabilizer bar includes a central body having a pair of flexible projecting legs. A semicircular seat is provided in the body for receiving a tubular stabilizer bar. A second bushing block formed identical to the first bushing block includes a semicircular seat for receiving the stabilizer bar and indentations for receiving the legs of the first bushing blocks. The bushing blocks are snapped together with respect to one another and then mounted on the stabilizer bar to provide a mounting assembly for snap-on connection to a chassis.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount assembly includes an elastomeric hollow body connected to a pair of opposed mounting members. A resilient diaphragm closes the hollow body and forms therewith a closed cavity that is filled with a damping liquid. A partition plate is provided in the hollow body to divide the cavity into a primary chamber and a secondary chamber. The secondary chamber is enclosed by the diaphragm. An orifice track is provided in the partition plate. The orifice track provides communication between the primary and secondary chambers so as to effect damping. Three decouplers are provided in the partition plate centered relative to distinctive dome areas in the primary chamber; two recessed domes and a center projecting dome. The decouplers respond independently to localized dynamic pressure variations.

Abstract: A controllable vibration damper for automotive vehicles is disclosed having a damping piston which is axially slidably and sealedly guided in a damping tube, and which subdivides the damping tube filled with a damping medium into two working chambers. The connection between the two working chambers is provided with at least one non-regulated first valve and at least one controllable second valve, which valves are arranged acting hydraulically in parallel in respect to one another. In order to be able to regulate the effective damping force continuously in wide ranges, for the adjustment of damping hardness, the controllable valve will periodically open and close in rapid sequence in dependence upon pulsed control signals.

Abstract: A brake disk for motor vehicle disk brakes, comprising a disk rim with at least one friction ring, and an inner cup on which the disk rim is fastened. The disk rim and the inner cup consist of cast materials. In order that the inner cup and the disk rim can be produced more simply and correspond better to the different thermal and mechanical stresses, the inner cup preferably consists of a material of high tensil strength than the material of the disk rim. The disk rim is fastened to the cup by means of ribs provided on the inner cup, the material of the disk rim positively clasping the ribs in a radial direction during casting.