Abstract: A vehicle drive unit assembly includes an axle extending between a pair of wheels, a braking system for slowing and stopping the vehicle, and a retarding system located on the axle for assisting the braking system. The axle has a housing and an axle shaft that receives input from an engine and driveshaft to drive the wheels. The braking system includes a brake member supported on each of the wheels and an actuator for selectively moving the brake members between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The braking system produces a braking force to slow or stop the rotation of the wheels when the brake is in the actuated position. The retarding system includes a plurality of magnets supported for rotation with the axle shaft and an inductor held fixed to the axle housing. The retarding system produces a retarding force as the magnets rotate with respect to the inductor to slow the rotation of the wheels when the actuator moves the brake members to the actuated position.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake booster (10) has a booster housing (12), the interior of which is subdivided by at least one movable wall (14) into a vacuum chamber (16) and a working chamber (18). Along an axis (A) a control valve (20) for controlling a pneumatic pressure difference acting upon the movable wall (14) projects into the booster housing (12). The movable wall (14) is workingly connected to the outside of a substantially cylindrical control valve housing (22), in that a collar (34) of a plate (30) associated with the movable wall (14) is deformed along its periphery at least in sections radially into the control valve housing (22). In order to simplify manufacture of the brake booster (10), in the portion (36) of the control valve housing (22) overlapped by the collar (34) of the plate (30) a plurality of recesses (40) are provided, which are spaced apart from one another in peripheral direction and into which the collar (34) of the plate (30) is radially deformed.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system in which an annular piston brake and a booster to generate an amplified output force for actuating the brake are combined to form an integrated unit. The booster is mounted on an axle casing in which the piston brake is located so that the amplified force acts directly on fluid in a chamber to displace the piston brake. A self-bleeding facility for the brake fluid is provided via the booster.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper assembly has a housing with a bore. A piston in the bore is movable between applied, retracted and knock-back positions. The piston is activatable by hydraulic pressure to move from the retracted position to the applied position; and a retracting seal is effective in the absence of the hydraulic pressure to move the piston from the applied position to the retracted position. A linkage adjacent the piston carries a stop; and an actuator is responsive to an end of brake activation signal to cause the linkage to engage the stop with the piston when the piston is retracted from its applied position to its retracted position so as to prevent the piston from moving from the retracted position to the knock-back position. The actuator is preferably a comparatively weak electric motor that stalls as the stop engages the piston; and the stall is sensed to end motor activation. The end of brake activation signal is preferably provided by a brake position or pressure sensor.

Abstract: A pre-engagement unit for a braking pressure modulator for a pressure regulating circuit includes a first pneumatic inlet, a second pneumatic inlet, a first pneumatic output terminal, and a second pneumatic output terminal. The unit includes an electrically actuated valve system having a plurality of solenoid valves and a plurality of electrical terminals connected to output terminals of an electronic control unit. An electric braking command signal transmitter delivers a driver initiated electric brake value setting to an input of the electronic control unit. Under normal conditions, a supply pressure and a redundancy pressure are delivered at the first pneumatic output terminal to be converted by an air quantity augmenting relay valve to a braking pressure. In case of failure of the electronic braking system, the redundancy pressure is delivered at the first pneumatic output terminal to be converted by the air quantity augmenting relay valve to the braking pressure.

Abstract: A protective screen for a road vehicle brake disc includes at least one elastic holding organ (27; 30) intended to be compressed in an axial gap between a pivot support (11) and a bearing module (13), present after direct clamping of the bearing module (13) onto the pivot support (11). An assembly for the rotary connection of a wheel to a road vehicle includes a pivot support (11) and a bearing module clamped directly to each other, and such a protective screen (12) held in position due to the compression of the elastic organ (27; 30).

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disk comprising two friction rings which are connected via links and between which an air channel is configured, as well as support elements which are molded to the inner peripheral area of the brake disk and designed for engaging cams of a hub of an axle of a (utility) vehicle. In the inner peripheral area of the brake disk, the support elements bridge the air channel in the manner of links and axially protrude into the area of the friction rings to such an extent that the outer surfaces of the friction rings are situated at an axial distance from the outer surfaces of the support elements even in the maximum permissible state of wear. Openings in the axle hub and the brake disk ensure sufficient cooling.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling braking on a train having ECP railcars using a conventional automatic brake valve. The locomotive and railcars are connected to brake pipe and a wireline, or use RF communications. A brake handle or other brake control valve interface is operated to cause a pressure change in an equalizing reservoir. The relay valve is isolated from the pressure change and connected to a reference pressure whereby brake pipe pressure is maintained. The pressure change is sensed and a signal generated representative thereof which is used to determine the level of braking commanded on the railcars. The apparatus includes an interface unit interposed between pertinent ports connecting the automatic brake valve, equalizing reservoir and brake pipe, and an equalizing reservoir pressure sensor to provide an output signal to an ECP controller for controlling braking on the railcars.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically operable brake system and a method for its actuation. The brake system and the method are characterized in that the service brake system can be activated by two brake operating devices which are operable by the driver independently of each other. The main advantage which results is that upon failure of a brake operating device which is e.g. configured as a brake pedal module, braking of the vehicle can be achieved by means of the service brake system by way of the second brake operating device. The additional functions intended for the service brake system, such as ABS, TCS, driving dynamics control, brake assist system, etc., may then be implemented, if so desired. The redundant design of the actuation for the service brake permits achieving a high degree of operational safety because full braking functions can be maintained even in case of emergency braking.

Abstract: A rotary damper for use in an automotive vehicle. The rotary damper includes an outer casing having a main chamber and a pair of piston orifices, the main chamber and the piston orifices being filled with a damping fluid, a pivotable cam located in the main chamber and attached to an arm for transferring the rotary movement of the arm to the cam. The damper also includes a pair of pistons, each located in its own orifice, and connected to opposite sides of the cam. When the arm transfers the rotary movement to the cam, each piston is moved in opposite directions in its respective piston orifice to damp the rotary movement of the arm.

Abstract: A hydraulic mount for automotive engine and powertrain applications includes an elastomer body, a base and a partition interposed the body and the base to form a fluid-pumping chamber and a reservoir. Circumferentially spaced axial extending holes or slots or an annular orifice track are formed in the partition together with a magnetic coil operable to impose a magnetic field on the holes, slots or orifice track to control the shear properties of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid in the pumping chamber and reservoir. An elastomeric decoupler member is in communication with at least one of the pumping chamber and the reservoir to reduce the mount dynamic stiffness for isolating low-displacement relatively high-frequency vibrations. Vibrations of multiple frequencies may be isolated by tuning the mount with a controller.

Abstract: A panic braking operation of a vehicle having at least two wheels is detected by measuring speed quantities which represent the rotary motions of at least two wheels, selecting the speed quantity of one of the wheels and/or by determining a speed value from the speed quantities, determining a change value which represents the time-related change of the selected speed quantity and/or of the speed value, determining the time characteristic of the change value, and detecting a panic braking operation as a function of the time characteristic of the change value. What is advantageous here is that no complex and expensive additional sensor technology is needed for detecting panic braking; the wheel-speed sensors which are provided anyway in anti-lock control systems, traction control systems, and/or vehicle stability control systems are sufficient. Thus, the use of a panic detection is also possible in so-called “low-cost braking systems”.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic braking system responds to detection of an operator intended high braking intensity event to isolate vehicle brakes from the master cylinder and activate a motor driven pump to generate a maximum predetermined supply pressure, calibrated to provide activation of an anti-lock braking system, to the brake apply valves for an initial predetermined time. Thereafter, the supply pressure is reduced via an electrically controllable pressure relief valve responsive to sensed vehicle deceleration so as to decrease the supply pressure provided to the apply valve to a level just sufficient to provide the sensed vehicle deceleration. The high intensity braking event is detected via a rate of change of master cylinder pressure, pedal force or pedal travel.

Abstract: Hydraulically damping rubber bearing consisting of an inner part, an outer part a certain distance concentrically or eccentrically outside the inner part, and a rubber part between the inner part and the outer part, in which rubber part at least one damping medium-filled chamber is provided. A certain distance concentrically inside the inner part, another tubular part is provided, part of the outside surface of this tubular part and part of the inside surface of the inner part being at least partially spherical, an elastic element being provided between these two spherical areas.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is disclosed for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub in a vehicle. The differential includes clutch a clutch housing and a roll cage. An electromagnetic indexing device is mounted adjacent to the cage and adapted to place the cage in position to engage the output hub to the input shaft. An electrohydraulic device is mounted adjacent to the clutch housing and includes a housing attached to the clutch and adapted to rotate in combination with the clutch housing. A hydraulic piston is located adjacent to a drive plate and adapted to cause the drive plate to engage to the housing when actuated, thereby providing dynamic torque between the output hub and the clutch housing.

Abstract: In a roller retainer assembly, a roller retainer 15 is thinned to retain individual one of plural rollers 7 circulating in a roller circulation path inclusive of linear and curved races and to hold opposite side surfaces of the roller 7 and front and rear surfaces thereof in the roller moving direction. A combination of linear and curve guide portions 16a and 16b different in inclination angle and a combination of linear and curve guide portion 17a and 17b different in inclination angle are formed respectively in opposite end surfaces of the roller retainer 15 in a retainer moving direction. In a linear race, the linear guide portions 16a and 17a come into contact with adjacent roller retainers 15 respectively. In a curved race, the curve guide portions 16b and 17b come into contact with adjacent roller retainers 15 respectively.

Abstract: A starter is comprised of a starter motor, a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism including a sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears and an internal gear, a casing rotatably supporting the output shaft via a bearing and an outer cylindrical member coupled with the casing. The planetary gear speed reduction mechanism has an internal gear block having the internal gear, and the internal gear block is disposed in the cylindrical member and spline-fitted to the casing. Thus, a labyrinth is formed between the internal gear block and the casing.

Abstract: In a pump equipment having plural rotary pumps, the respective discharge ports of the rotary pumps are located at the points which are nearly symmetrical with respect to the center axis of the drive shaft to counterbalance each other the respective reaction forces against the drive shaft to be produced by the high pressure at the respective discharge ports. The respective discharge fluid conduits, in case of the first and second pumps, are located at the points which are opposite each other, more preferably, different at an angle of 180 degrees each other, with respect to the center axis of the drive shaft to limit the bending of the drive shaft. As a method for assembling the pump equipment, the peripheral border between respective cylindrical members piled up for constituting the casing is tentatively welded by laser beam at first and, then, all around the peripheral borders are finally welded.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake apparatus for a vehicle includes a supplementary hydraulic pressure source outputting a pressurized output hydraulic pressure and an electronic control apparatus that controls a hydraulic pump in the supplementary hydraulic pressure source. The electronic control apparatus judges whether the hydraulic pump satisfies a predetermined operating condition based on the output hydraulic pressure of the supplementary hydraulic pressure source or not. The electronic control apparatus compares the output hydraulic pressure with a minimum standard hydraulic pressure, detects a drop in the output hydraulic pressure when the output hydraulic pressure is less than a standard hydraulic pressure and determines that the hydraulic pump does not satisfy the predetermined operating condition.

Abstract: A bearing of the type comprising a fixed raceway (2) intended to be associated with a fixed structure, a rotating raceway (3) intended to be associated with a rotating member (6, 8, 9) and rolling bodies disposed between them, in which the fixed raceway (2) comprises first means (5) of fixing the said bearing (1) to the fixed structure. The fixed raceway (2) comprises at least one elastic deformation zone able to be deformed under the action of forces exerted on the said bearing (1). At least one sensor (26) able to measure the said forces is functionally associated with the said elastic deformation zone.