Abstract: An automatic damper system for an automobile which includes a plurality of shock absorbers (10). Each of the shock absorbers (10) having a pressure cylinder (48), a first valve member (100) for establishing the first plurality of flow passages, as well as a second valve member (134) for establishing a second plurality of flow passages. In addition, each of the shock absorbers (10) include an actuator (176) for displacing the second valve member (134) with respect to the first valve member (100). Finally, the automatic damping system further includes a plurality of electronic control modules (34) each of which are able to control the displacement of one of the second valve members (134) with respect to one of the first valve members.

Abstract: An automatically controlled braking system comprising a pneumatic vacuum servo and a pneumatic solenoid valve capable of selectively connecting the serov to first or second sources of pressure. The solenoid valve includes a flap valve which is subjected to a suction force proportional to the difference between the first and second source of pressured and acts in the same direction as an electromagnetic actuating force. Elastic means act on and apply a greater force to the flap valve to oppose the suction force. A current generator supplies a current having a predetermined maximum intensity to the solenoid to develop an actuation force overcome the elastic force and effect actuation of the vacuum servo.

Abstract: A control device for an automotive vehicle comprises a differential disposed between wheels or wheel axles of a vehicle an antiskid brake control device to control an antiskid brake device which is capable of adjusting a brake pressure applied to a brake device of the vehicle to prevent wheels of the vehicle from locking, a differential limiting control device having a differential limiting device being capable of controlling and transferring a differential limit to the differential, and operating to decrease the differential limit while the antiskid brake device is operating, such that when either the antiskid brake control device or said differential control device fails, the non-failing control device receives a failure signal from the failing control device and the non-failing control device controls the vehicle towards a stable condition or increases a brake force.

Abstract: A mounting assembly (20) which includes dissimilar radial spring rates in the various radial directions by varying the socket geometry and dimensional characteristics of a receiving member (22) for accepting a standard round cross-section, center-bonded mounting (21). A reduction in spring rate in the range of between 1.25 and 2.5 times can be achieved by modifying the socket geometry to provide superior lateral vibration isolation, yet, a standard center-bonded mounting still can be utilized providing cost effective applications.

Abstract: An improved truck disc brake using a spring loaded safety brake and a pneumatic bladder for releasing the safety brake as well as a service brake enhancing bladder and a pair of rotor brake discs. The brake discs are ventilated and include ventilation channels extending radially thereof and vent air is deflected into the brake assembly by means of a scoop on the exterior of the brake assembly passing through openings in the brake assembly and the rotor brake discs act as an impeller moving the ventilation air outwardly thereof to dissipate the heat. A wear gauge is provided to determine the wear of the brake linings and discs and a quick release valve is mounted in the brake assembly adjacent the pneumatic bladder related to the service brake, to quickly release the air when required. Temperature sensors are provided within the brake assembly to read the temperature of the brake assembly.

Abstract: A brake arm for a brake device of a bicycle includes first and second arm members and a locking unit. The first arm member has an elongated arm body with an upper end portion, a lower end portion and a shoe mounting portion between the upper and lower end portions. The upper end portion is formed with a threaded hole. The lower end portion is adapted to be secured pivotally on the bicycle. The mounting portion has a brake shoe attached thereto. The second arm member is formed as an elongated member with first and second end portions and an intermediate portion between the first and second end portions. The second arm member is provided with a mounting hole unit which extends from the first end portion toward the second end portion. The second end portion of the second arm member is provided with a wire attaching unit that is adapted to be connected operably to the brake device.

Abstract: A magnetic rail brake device comprising at least two wear pieces manufactured from ferromagnetic material, magnetically insulated from each other by a filling piece and connected to a magnet which, in operation, are capable of providing a magnetic field extending through the wear pieces. In operation, the wear pieces are contacted with a rail so as to enable the magnetic field to close through the rail, and at least at the location of the parts to be contacted with the rail, the wear pieces comprise wear strips manufactured from nodular cast iron, and at least on the side facing the rail, the filling piece is formed from austenitic cast iron.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking control device includes a housing which defines cylindrical first chamber, two second chambers and a third chamber. The housing has two which are inlet ports connected to two master cylinders and two outlets ports which are connected to rear and front brakes. The third chamber is communicated with the inlet ports and is connected to two second chambers by two oil passages. The second chambers are aligned with one another and are connected to the first chamber. A rotor shaft with a driving disk is mounted rotatably in the first chamber. An oil regulator assembly is mounted in the third chamber for controlling the flow rate of hydraulic oil from the master cylinders to the second chambers. Each of a pair of reciprocating pump assemblies has a rod member which is driven by the driving disk to move reciprocally in a respective one of the second chambers.

Abstract: A coil spring wherein the external surfaces of the convolutions have cylindrical major portions and flats which abut the neighboring convolutions when a spring is compressed flat under load. This reduces the likelihood of radial displacement of one or more convolutions under load and the likelihood of a reduction of the axial length of the coil spring when in its unstressed condition subsequent to being repeatedly compressed flat under load. The external surface of each convolution can be provided with one or two flats, and the planes of the two flats preferably make a small acute angle if the coil spring is caused to assume an arcuate shape when in actual use.

Abstract: A fluid-filled elastic mount (10) wherein a fluid-tight space (40) defined by two mounting members (12, 14), an elastic body (16) and a flexible diaphragm (36) is divided by a partition member (34) into pressure-receiving and an equilibrium chambers (44, 46) communicating with each other through a first orifice (64). The partition member has a communication hole (62) for fluid communication of the first orifice with the equilibrium chamber. The elastic mount has a cover member (76) which cooperates with the diaphragm to define a space in which a pushing member (84) is accommodated such that it is pressed onto the diaphragm by a biasing member (86), so that the diaphragm closes the communication hole.

Abstract: A brake pressure control apparatus for automobiles with an anti-lock braking system, which can be easily operated with a simple construction, and in which a rotary valve can be immediately returned to its initial position after the first ABS operation has finished in order to prepare for the second ABS operation, is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing connected to a hydraulic pump to receive the pressure fluid, a motor mounted on the upper surface of the housing to generate a rotational force, a bushing for guiding the pressure fluid from the housing, a rotary valve rotatably accommodated in the bushing to transfer the pressure fluid which has guided through the bushing to a wheel cylinder or a fluid tank, and a sensor assembly which senses an electric signal varied according to the rotation of the rotary valve and then sends the electric signal to an electrical control unit. The apparatus can be manufactured with reduced cost, and can be easily applied to the ABS.

Abstract: A traction control system for a vehicle reduces the rate of slip of driving wheels of the vehicle by reducing the traction force transmitted to the road surface from the driving wheels when the driving wheels slip. Whether the vehicle is making a turn is judged, and whether the vehicle is in an instable state which occurs when the vehicle is making a turn. The traction force is reduced by a higher rate when the driving wheels slip while the vehicle is making a turn than when the driving wheels slip while the vehicle is running straight, and the traction force is reduced by a higher rate when the driving wheels slip while the vehicle is in an instable state than when the driving wheels slip while the vehicle is making a turn.

Abstract: Each brake mechanism for a bicycle includes a brake arm having an upper portion and a lower portion, a link member having an upper portion and a lower portion, and a shoe attachment member for attaching a brake shoe thereto. The shoe attachment member is pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the brake arm and to the upper portion of the link member. The lower portion of the brake arm and the lower portion of the link member are adapted to be pivotally mounted to the bicycle so that the lower portion of the brake arm and the lower portion of the link member pivot when a braking force is applied by the cantilever brake apparatus to cause the brake shoe to move toward a wheel rim. The lower portion of the brake arm and the lower portion of the link member are spaced apart from each other for forming a four-bar link mechanism with the shoe attachment member.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling brake pressure is described wherein desired brake pressures are determined. From these pressures, valve activation control times are calculated and thus the pressure is directed into the wheel brake cylinders. The wheel brake cylinder pressures are determined from the activation times of the valves and the brake circuit pressure. They are also used for determining the desired pressure. In addition a pump is provided which makes it possible to generate higher pressures in the wheel brake cylinders than those actuated by the driver. The brake circuit pressures required for the above-described determination of the desired pressure are determined by calculating a model and using the measured inlet pressure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for controlling a braking force applied to each of front and rear road wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle depending upon a braking condition, with a hydraulic braking pressure supplied to each of the wheel brake cylinders through an actuator. The actuator is controlled by a braking force controller into which output signals of wheel speed sensors are fed. On the basis of the wheel speeds detected by the sensors, a wheel acceleration of each road wheel is calculated. Also, an oscillation of a relative movement between the front and rear road wheels is determined. And, a coefficient of friction of a road is estimated in accordance with the wheel acceleration and the oscillation. For example, it is estimated that the road is of a relatively low coefficient of friction, when a mean wheel acceleration of all road wheels becomes less than a predetermined standard acceleration, and when the oscillation is caused to exceed a predetermined level.

Abstract: In a hydraulic apparatus providing a base with a discharge passage coupler to a circumferential portion of an annular discharge passage and to a damper chamber, a hydraulic device is connected via an orifice to the discharge passage without arranging the annular discharge passage between the damper chamber and the orifices, so that the damper chamber and the orifices cooperate together to exert an effective attenuating action thereon so as to suppress the transfer of pressure pulsation thereto effectively.

Abstract: A slip-controlled brake system for commercial vehicles with a hydraulic transmission device for which the cost of the system is reduced. Each axle of the vehicle is assigned a hydraulic control unit, with an electronic control unit, of a slip-control device for passenger vehicles. The hydraulic control unit has four hydraulic channels (K1, K2, K3, K4). Brake lines which connect a master cylinder of the brake system to wheel cylinders are routed in each case via two channels (K1, K2, K3, K4) of the hydraulic control unit, which are connected in parallel, in order to achieve a sufficiently large volume flow of pressure medium. Connected to the corresponding control unit are two wheel speed sensors assigned to the wheels of the respective vehicle axle. The control units are connected electrically for the exchange of wheel speed sensor signals. The brake system can be implemented in an advantageous manner on light commercial vehicles.

Abstract: A Game Scent Diffusion Device adapted to be disposed in a bottle of liquid game scent. The device comprises an inverted "T" shaped member. The member comprises a body portion, defining orifices along its length, and a generally perpendicular crossbar portion. An absorptive wick is woven through the orifices. The ends of the crossbar are springingly, temporarily bent together to facilitate insertion of the device into the bottle. Once the device is inserted into the bottle the crossbar assumes its original shape. When the device is partially withdrawn from the bottle, the ends of the crossbar contact the neck of the bottle. The device can be hung from a convenient location such as a limb. A length of saturated wick and a portion of the saturated wick woven through the orifices in the member are exposed to the ambient air. When not in use the device can be stowed in the bottle, allowing the hunter to carry it in his pocket.

Abstract: A valve (actuator) for performing pressurization, decompression and pressure maintenance drives plural spools movable up and down within a housing having plural bores by using linear shape memory alloys, and an anti-lock brake system utilizes the valve, in which respective bores have inlets and outlets, a mechanism for holding a lowering state of the spools is installed to the lower portion of the housing, and the spools return to their original positions by bias springs. A master cylinder, a wheel brake and a hydraulic pump are connected to the inlets and outlets of the valve of the anti-lock brake system and an electronic control unit is connected to the shape memory alloys to actuate the shape memory alloys, thereby attaining the operations of pressurization, decompression and pressure maintenance in connection with a brake pressure of the wheel brake.

Abstract: An electronic brake controller for actuating electric wheel brakes of a towed vehicle in response to actuation of the brakes of an associated towing vehicle. The brake controller includes a sensor for producing a brake control signal which is representative of the desired braking of the towed vehicle. The controller also includes a microprocessor for responsive to the brake control signal for generating an output signal for actuating the electric wheel brakes of the towed vehicle.