Abstract: A brake component positioning assembly that is removably connectable to a component of a heavy-duty vehicle. The brake component positioning assembly enables a brake system component to be positioned away from a wheel end of the heavy-duty vehicle to allow removal or servicing of at least one component of a wheel end assembly or the vehicle brake system. In one embodiment, the brake component positioning assembly includes a base block disposed in a cutout of a torque plate. A positioning block slidably engages one or more guide pins received by or disposed through the base block. A positioning bolt threadably engages the positioning block, whereby upon rotation of the positioning bolt, the positioning block and brake system component are positioned away from the bottom block and wheel end. Components of the brake component positioning assembly can be removably connected to each other.

Abstract: A brake pad retractor system, comprising, a torsional mount and a torsion arm having an angular relation with the torsional mount, wherein the torsion arm is sprung responsively to at least some movement of a brake pad and the torsional mount being operative such that upon movement of a brake pad by a first distance, the torsion arm is sprung and communicates an action upon the brake pad through a contact between the torsion arm and the brake pad, the communicated action sufficient to positively retract the brake pad upon release of the brake system, the torsional mount further operative such that upon further movement of a brake pad beyond the first distance the angular relation between the torsion arm and the torsional mount is adjusted responsively to the further movement. Further aspects include a novel a brake caliper and method.

Abstract: A driver circuit for driving a brake having a first orifice adapted to be connected to a pressure source, a second orifice connected to a reservoir, a third orifice receiving a braking setpoint, and a fourth orifice connected to a brake. The driver circuit includes a proportional solenoid valve connected to the first orifice; an on/off solenoid valve connected to the third orifice; and a proportional braking valve provided with an actuator and configured in such a manner as to connect a brake selectively to a pressure source or to a reservoir. The actuator is configured in such a manner as to be driven by the higher of the two pressures delivered by the proportional solenoid valve and delivered by the on/off solenoid valve.

Abstract: A brake is operationally coupled by gear engagement to an axle of a device, whereby turning on the brake prevents the axle from rotating. Monitoring condition of the brake includes driving the axle of the device in a first rotation direction when the brake has been turned on. The axle of the device is driven in a second rotation direction when the brake has been turned on. A first position angle of the axle of the device, which follows from driving the axle of the device in the first rotation direction, is measured. A second position angle of the axle of the device, which follows from driving the axle of the device in the second rotation direction, is measured. A clearance of the gear engagement of the brake is determined on the basis of a difference of the first and the second position angles.

Abstract: For the purpose of redundancy, ports are provided for a separate power brake pressure unit on a hydraulic block of a hydraulic unit of a slip control system of a hydraulic vehicle power braking system. The ports are attached as cylindrical collars to the hydraulic block by friction welding.

Abstract: Provided is a torque rod (1, 101, 202, 301) configured to be connected between a vehicle body (2) and an engine (3) to restrict a movement of the engine relative to the vehicle body. The torque rod includes a rod main body (11, 211, 307), and a bushing assembly provided at one end (14) of the rod main body. The bushing assembly includes a mounting bracket (21, 203, 303) configured to be mounted to the vehicle body or the engine via a bolt (22) passed therethrough in an axial direction, a magneto-elastic member (31, 204, 322) made of magneto-elastic material axially interposed between the one end of the rod main body and the mounting bracket, and a coil (32, 205, 323) configured to apply a magnetic flux to the magneto-elastic member.

Abstract: The present invention includes a torsion spring including a middle plate having a first attachment point displaced from the geometric center of the middle plate; a first elastomeric element secured to a first side of the middle plate and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; a second elastomeric element secured to a second side of the middle plate and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; a first outer plate secured to the first elastomeric element and having an opening coincident with the first attachment point of the middle plate; and a second outer plate secured to the second elastomeric element, having an opening coincident with the attachment point of the middle plate.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a shock damping system that has a pressure storage reservoir, a check valve in fluid communication with the pressure storage reservoir, and a needle valve in fluid communication with the pressure storage reservoir. The needle valve is in a parallel fluid-communication configuration with the check valve.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing structure for a vibration isolator includes a conical disc spring member having a first end including a central opening and a second end opposite the first end. The structure also includes at least one spacer having a base portion with a first side. The base portion first side defines a cavity structured to receive therein a second end of the spring member. The cavity has a floor, and a second end of the spring member is positioned in contact with the floor. The floor includes an opening formed therein and positioned so as to reside opposite the first end of the spring member when the second end of the spring member is positioned in contact with the cavity floor. The opening is structured to receive at least a portion of the first end of the spring member therein during an inversion of the spring member.

Abstract: Tone ring mounting structure for an antilock braking system comprising a wheel end assembly rotatable component having at least a first end surface and a first engagement mechanism extending radially and non-cantilevered from the rotatable component, and a tone ring having a second end surface and a second engagement mechanism extending radially from the tone ring. Connecting engagement of the first engagement mechanism of the wheel end assembly rotatable component and the second engagement mechanism of the tone ring affects movement of the second end surface in a direction toward the first end surface. The first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism can be engageable threads. The first engagement mechanism can include lugs formed on the wheel end assembly rotatable component and the second engagement mechanism threads or wedge ramps engageable with the lugs. A corrosion resistant coating can be applied to components of the tone ring mounting structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a spring device with a piston and a housing into which the piston can be introduced in a movement direction. A cavity is formed between the piston and the housing, in which cavity a compressible solid body spring is arranged that consists of a solid body that can be compressed by the piston. At least one surface of the piston that faces the solid body spring is conical or concave. The disclosure furthermore concerns a securing device comprising such a spring device and the use thereof, in particular for a container closing plug.

Abstract: An inner tube moves axially between an outer tube and a support, all of which are concentrically arranged, to a desired telescopic position, relative to the outer tube and the support, and can be locked in the desired telescopic position by applying radial force between the support and the inner surface of the inner tube. The radial force generates a frictional force acting on the inner surface of the inner tube, which resists longitudinal movement of the inner tube. A bicycle actuator cable is coupled to an actuation connector for a tension-controlled actuator by a bicycle cable connector which has a fixed longitudinal position on the bicycle actuator cable. The bicycle cable connector is longitudinally consistently removably repeatably interengageable with the actuation connector to maintain longitudinal alignment of the bicycle actuator cable with the actuator through repeated engagement and disengagement of the bicycle cable connector and the actuation connector.

Abstract: A magnetically-responsive device (100) having a magnetic seal (160,170) to retain magnetically responsive material within a defined space (150) is provided. The magnetically-responsive device (100) has a shaft (110), a rotor (130), a magnetic field generator (145), a magnetically-responsive medium and a magnetic seal (160,170). The seal (160,170) is preferably a non-contact seal (160,170) that does not deteriorate over time and generates little to no resistance.

Abstract: Am electric braking system is disclosed. The electric braking system comprising: a cylinder unit having a first piston connected to a brake pedal, a cylinder chamber with the volume varying by displacement of the first piston, and a pressing chamber with the volume varying by a pressing member, and sending an intention of braking to an electronic control unit; a reservoir storing a working fluid, a pressure applier having a second piston operating by receiving power and a pump chamber with the volume varying by displacement of the second piston, and hydraulically coupled to wheel brakes, a reservoir line connecting the cylinder chamber and the reservoir and having a reservoir valve; and a pump reservoir line connecting the pump chamber and the reservoir and having a dump valve.

Abstract: A braking force control device is provided which has a control unit that controls an upstream braking actuator that generates a common upstream pressure for four wheels and a downstream braking actuator that individually controls the braking pressure supplied to each wheel using the upstream pressure. The control unit controls the upstream pressure so that the braking pressure of the front wheels is permitted to be higher than a lock pressure of the rear wheels but does not become higher than a lock pressure of the front wheels, and suppresses an increase of the braking pressure of the rear wheels so that the braking pressure does not become higher than the lock pressure of the rear wheels, in a situation where the upstream pressure can be supplied to each braking force generating device but the braking pressure of any one of the wheels cannot be decreased.

Abstract: A particle damped torque bar may comprise a body comprising a box beam structure, the body having a neck portion at a first end and an I-beam structure at a second end, wherein the box beam structure extends between the neck portion and the I-beam structure and a cavity within the box beam structure configured to encapsulate a particulate material therewithin.

Abstract: A redundant brake control system for a locomotive consist that employs corresponding air brake control units in each locomotive that are interconnected by an inter-unit cable extending between the locomotives. Power to the air brake control units may be selectively connected and disconnected to select which air brake control unit is controlling the brakes of the train. The electronic brake valves associated with the air brake control units remain powered so that braking command may be send from either electronic brake valve and responded to by whichever of the air brake control valves have been provided with power. The control of power may be performed by the locomotive control system so that an operator can easily switch control between the air brake control units from the cab of any locomotive in the consist.

Abstract: An integrated solenoid valve and a brake system using the same are disclosed. The integrated solenoid valve includes an armature, an elastic member, a magnet core, an orifice unit, a filter member, a lip seal, a bidirectional passage, and a unidirectional passage. The armature is disposed in a sleeve, moves upward and downward in an axial direction, and opens or closes an orifice of a seat disposed at a lower side thereof. The elastic member provides elastic force to the armature in a closing direction of the orifice. The magnet core provides drive force to the armature in a direction opposite to that of the elastic member. The orifice unit is coupled to a lower side of the seat, and includes not only a hollow hole communicating with the orifice of the seat but also a passage hole. The filter member prevents inflow of foreign materials. The lip seal is inserted between the orifice unit and the filter member, and includes an inclined protrusion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved plunger assembly for a vehicle brake system. The plunger assembly is operable as a pressure source to control brake fluid pressure supplied to one or more wheel brakes. The plunger assembly comprises a housing defining a cylinder; a reversible motor supported by the housing and having a rotor; and a linear actuator such as a ball screw/nut mechanism driven by the motor. A plunger head is mounted in the cylinder and driven by the linear actuator in first and second opposite directions. Improvements include the plunger assembly engage at least one seal that defines a portion of a pressurized chamber. An end cap covers the projecting end of the cylinder and is secured to the housing to define a fluid passageway between the end of the cylinder and at least one fluid passageway provided in the housing block.

Abstract: A mechanism for electronically adjusting a shock absorber includes a cartridge that is located on the fluid path between the main body of the shock absorber and a damping reservoir. A piston valve is mounted for reciprocal movement inside an elongated chamber of the cartridge, and a solenoid is mounted on the cartridge to interact with the piston valve. In operation, the solenoid is electronically controlled to selectively move the piston valve into various positons in the cartridge chamber to thereby vary the volume of liquid flow along the fluid path which will adjust the response characteristics of the shock absorber.