Abstract: This invention relates to an indicating apparatus to determine the amount of wear that has occurred in the friction material of a brake assembly or other friction coupling. The apparatus utilizes a pin member that is positioned in a sealed bore in the housing of the friction coupling. A first end portion of the pin member is positioned for contact and movement of an actuating piston when the piston is in an engaged position. The distance between the a second end portion of the pin member, housed within the bore, and an outer surface of the housing may be determined by a depth gage. Measurements may be taken to determine movement of the pin member within the bore and thereby establish the amount of wear of the friction material in the friction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure control device including a homogeneous assembly of lid, frame and cover (1, 3, 4, 4') in which the carrier element (2) and the conducting paths (10) are injection-molded. Also, all apertures (6) and projections (8) or recesses can be made in one working operation during manufacture of the lid. Closure of the frame (3) is possible either by a cover (4) that is retained by foil hinges (15) on the frame (3) or by a separate cover (4') which is positively engaged on the frame of the lid (1) by locking hooks.

Abstract: An injection valve for a fuel-injection system of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a diesel motor, has a valve housing, a multi-part valve member movably arranged in the housing, and at least one inlet opening terminating in a working cylinder, through which opening fuel is fed from a pressure chamber and which is provided for controlling the valve member by means of an electromagnetic valve. The multi-part valve member is enclosed by a damping chamber filled with fuel in the contact area between its nozzle needle that controls the injection opening and the at least one valve-member part lying thereabove. On one side, approximately clearance-free positioning fits are connected in front of or rather after the damping chamber with one formed between the nozzle needle and the valve housing and on the other side, one being formed between the valve-member part and the valve housing.

Abstract: A proportional fluid pressure regulation system is provided using a combination of a proportional valve and a shuttle valve for fluid flow control. A system of fluid pressure regulation is achieved where the desired pressure output is provided by one of two pressure input sources. The two pressure input sources are alternately selected by operation of a pilot operated shuttle valve and a solenoid operated proportional valve. The two pressure sources may comprise a manually actuated vehicle braking system's master cylinder and a power operated fluid pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-active damper controlled by a control circuit including a direct control loop made up of an inverse model of the damper. The inverse model of the damper determines an ideal value for an electrical current i.sub.th for controlling a compression controlled-restriction valve and an expansion controlled-restriction valve on the basis of a measured value for a relative speed y between the two ends of the damper and on the basis of a force reference value Fc. The semi-active damper of the invention is applicable as a transverse secondary suspension for a passenger rail vehicle.

Abstract: A nonadjustable shock absorber that can accommodate for variations in weight, and propelling force, and to provide a specific deceleration or reaction force. The shock absorber provides dual function metering that combines soft contact dampening with the self compensating ability to decelerate a wide range of weights.

Abstract: A solenoid valve having a first seat valve for performing a closing function and a second seat valve, connected in parallel thereto, for a pressure-limiting function. A pressure medium spilled by the second seat valve flows off through a flow-off bore acting as a throttle. Pressure surges are thus largely avoided in the part of the brake system located on the flow-off side. The solenoid valve can be used in controlled-slip hydraulic brake system of motor vehicles.

Abstract: An air spring assembly having a flexible member and moveable piston is provided. A bead surface of the flexible member is secured into a channel in the moveable piston to create an air-tight seal which can withstand tensile stress. The hollow piston increases the volume of the air reservoir which contributes to a reduction in the spring rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the start of an automatic braking process. In those instances where the brake pedal is actuated starting from an initially unactuated position, triggering of automatic braking occurs when the actuation speed of the brake pedal remains above a threshold trigger value for automatic braking, and a prescribed pedal travel is exceeded in a specific time interval after the start of the actuation of the brake pedal. Light depression of the brake pedal which takes place only briefly at a high pedal actuation speed does not lead to the automatic braking process being triggered.

Abstract: A method for maintaining alignment of a stack of spring washers mounted on a shaft. A retainer (44) is provided with an opening (41) for mounting on a shaft (49), a planar surface (42) for contacting outer contact edge (46) of spring washer (47) and a retaining lip (43) for limiting the lateral movement of spring washer (47).

Abstract: A variable screw-driven system includes a rotatable drive screw powered by a motor actuator. A nut is disposed about the drive screw and is linearly translatable in response to rotation of the drive screw. The nut carries a cam follower which travels within a cam track. Linear translation of the nut is altered by tracking of the cam following within the cam track such that rotation of the nut is effected simultaneously with rotation of the drive screw resulting in an effective variable pitch of the variable screw-driven system wherein linear translation of the nut results from both rotation of the drive screw and rotation of the nut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake system with slip control, including digitally operated electromagnetic inlet and outlet valves, wherein the inlet valve is provided with a restrictor valve control responsive to differential pressures. To prevent a premature operation of the controllable restrictor, invariable orifices are arranged in the main pressure line upstream of the inlet valve and downstream of the controllable restrictor.

Abstract: A shaft seal suitable for use in gas-filled shock absorbers. The shaft seal (20) includes an annular elastomeric sealing member (34) having a first sealing lip (46) and a second sealing lip (48). The first sealing lip (46) has a frustoconical air-side sealing surface (54) and a series of spaced annular projections (66) contiguous thereto. The second sealing lip (48) has a frustoconical air-side sealing surface (62) and a series of spaced annular grooves (70) contiguous thereto. The first sealing lip (46) provides an excellent lubrication capability whereas the second sealing lip (48) provides a high sealing capability.

Abstract: In a power-brake system, a hydraulic pressure generated by means of a pump may be supplied, controllably in proportion to an actuation force via brake conduits, by a power-brake valve to individual brake cylinders. Control pressure conduits are connected to the brake cylinders or the brake conduits in the vicinity of the brake cylinders and these control pressure conduits are connected to the brake valve. The brake pressure at the brake cylinders may be fed back, via the control pressure conduits, as the control pressure for acting on the control end of the brake valve so that a control of the control plungers of the brake valve is carried out corresponding to the brake pressure build-up at the brake cylinders and, particularly when low brake pressures are desired, rapid pressure build-up times in the brake conduits are ensured.

Abstract: In a method and device for identifying a pressure variable, in particular in a brake system, the pressure difference is estimated on the basis of a pressure gradient and the actuation duration of a solenoid valve.

Abstract: To provide optimal braking force control using braking operation data, an ECU in a brake force control system detects a braking operation according to fluctuation components of wheel rotation. That is, the ECU calculates the wheel acceleration and sets a reference load level for the braking operation according to a road surface coefficient of friction at the wheel tire. When the amplitude of the wheel acceleration increases and exceeds the reference load level, the braking load is determined to be heavy. If the braking load is heavy, the ECU decreases the brake oil pressure of the wheel being detected. In this way, the slip ratio can be controlled around a peak road surface coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An improved structure for a disc brake piston heat shield adapted for use in a disc brake assembly includes a caliper provided with at least one cylindrical recess formed therein. A piston is slidably disposed in the recess. The piston includes a closed end and an open end. The open end of the piston is provided with at least a pair of projections extending therefrom. The projections define a pair of abutment surfaces and a pair of end surfaces located axially inward relative to the abutment surfaces, A pair of brake shoes are carried by the disc brake assembly and are disposed on opposite axial sides of an associated rotor. Each brake shoe includes a backing plate and a friction pad. An actuation system is carried by the caliper for selectively moving the brake shoes between a non-braking position, wherein each of the friction pads is spaced apart from the adjacent side of the rotor, and a braking position, wherein each of the friction pads frictionally engages the adjacent side of the rotor.

Abstract: A braking force control apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle supported on road wheels each of which has a wheel cylinder for applying a braking force to the corresponding road wheel in response to a fluid pressure introduced thereto. The fluid pressure is controlled by a solenoid valve which is movable between open and closed positions in response to a control signal having a variable duty ratio. The duty ratio of the control signal is changed at predetermined intervals of time to move the solenoid valve in a plurality of steps toward the closed position.

Abstract: An atomizer device for liquids pressurized by a manually operated pump, without pressurizers, comprises a nozzle with an obturator to which a plunger member is connected, The liquid pressurized by the pump acts on this plunger and moves the obturator against a spring, opening the nozzle. Interceptors, which allow the liquid to pass and consequently to be sprayed outwards only when the obturator has moved by a given amount, moving away from the nozzle and forming a predetermined chamber about the nozzle, are provided in the passage for the liquid to the nozzle. The uniformity of the fan of the jet of liquid within the course of each operating cycle of the pump and its constancy in the different cycles is thus ensured.

Abstract: An energy absorber for interposing between two members to absorb energy of motion which may be induced between the two members includes a core (3) of a plastically deformable energy absorbing material such as lead and structure surrounding the core such as layers of steel plates (2) and rubber (1) in a sandwich-like arrangement structure. The end plates (4) are formed with holes (5), into which the ends of the core (3) project. During construction, the support structure (1, 2) is stretched, allowing end caps (6) to be fitted. The support structure (1, 2) is then relaxed, which applies approximately hydrostatic pressure to the core (3). Induced motion is transferred as shear forces across the core (3). The hydrostatic pressure applied to the core (3) preferably exceeds the shear yield stress of the energy absorbing material of the core (3).