Abstract: A pressure-medium displacing element is connected to the main pressure line which leads to the rear-wheel brake, and a first end surface of the pressure-medium displacing element is acted upon by the pressure of the auxiliary-pressure pump, while the pressure prevailing in the rear-wheel brake is applied to the second end surface which is opposed to the first end surface.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for a motor vehicle comprising a longitudinally extending tube and a separately formed spring seat positioned on the tube, wherein the tube is formed from extruded aluminium or aluminium alloy, and the spring seat is formed from aluminium or aluminium alloy.

Abstract: In order to achieve an optimal pressure build-up function in an anti-lock braking control system for automotive vehicles and to maintain the pressure at the optimal point for long periods of time and thus achieve better brake deceleration with greater stability of travel and greater comfort than with conventional ABS control systems, the anti-lock braking control system includes, in addition to the ABS controller and monitoring circuit (3), a pressure function generator (4) which, for each wheel, intermediately stores an intermediate brake pressure value whenever wheel overbraking has been noted. Then, in the pressure build-up phase, the pressure function generator (4) gives off a signal to the pressure modulator in order to increase the wheel brake pressure in accordance with an exponential function.

Abstract: Spring apparatus is provided which includes coil springs having intermediate and end coils suitable for interconnection in order to form a continuous spring which maintains a constant load-deflection characteristic over all intermediate coils unaffected by the joint end coils. This configuration therefore finds particular utility in providing bias without compromise of sealing, electromagnetic shielding and/or conductivity.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a bicycle includes a brake lever which is pivotally engaged to a base in which a first chamber is defined, the first chamber being filled with oil and a first piston movably received therein which is actuated by the brake lever, a wheel of the bicycle having a first arm disposed on one side thereof and a second arm disposed on the other side of the wheel, each of the first and the second arms having a second chamber defined therein, a second piston movably received in the second chamber and connected to a brake pad on a distal end thereof, a first pipe connected between said first chamber and the second chamber of the first arm and a second pipe connected between the respective second chamber of the first and the second arms.

Abstract: In the active pneumatic mount disclosed herein, a bellows or other flexible sealing means is utilized for containing a volume of pressurized gas which supports the weight of the equipment which is to be isolated. Within the pressurized volume is a means defining a chamber having an opening for receiving an acoustic transducer. An acoustic transducer is mounted in that opening for generating, in the pressurized volume, oscillatory pressure variations which reduce dynamic pressure variations induced by the vibrations which are to be blocked. The space within the chamber is vented to the pressurized volume, thereby to equalize the static pressure in the space.

Abstract: A vehicle train comprising a tractor and at least two trailers wherein each trailer has a brake sub-system. The brake sub-system includes a pressure transducer on the trailer responsive to pressure of a fluid pressure brake demand signals supplied thereto to provide an electrical brake demand signal and an electronic controller on the trailer responsive to the electrical brake demand signal to provide an electrical brake operating signal. The brake sub-system also includes a brake valve on the trailer responsive to the electrical brake operating signal supplied to the brake valve by the electronic controller to supply fluid to an actuator to operate a trailer brake under a brake pressure, from a primary source, determined in accordance with the electrical brake operating signal.

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle includes a master cylinder for outputting a liquid pressure corresponding to a braking operation quantity, an electric actuator capable of outputting the liquid pressure corresponding to the braking operation quantity, and a switch-over valve capable of switching the connection and disconnection between the master cylinder and wheel brake. The electric actuator is connected to the wheel brake to block the back flow of a working liquid from the wheel brake. Braking pressure applied to the wheel brake is detected by pressure detector. When a difference between the detected braking pressure and a target braking pressure corresponding to the braking operation quantity exceeds a predetermined range, an output liquid pressure from the master cylinder is applied to the wheel brake.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic antivibration sleeve comprising two tubular rigid strength members, one surrounding the other, the strength members being connected together by an elastomer body which defines two sealed pockets that communicate with each other via two narrow channels, the two pockets and the narrow channels being filled with liquid. The elastomer body is molded and bonded onto the two strength members, and each sealed pocket is constituted by a blind hole formed inside the elastomer body and opening out to one of the ends of the body, the elastomer body further including a collar which extends outwards from the inner strength member and which is fixed in sealed contact against a flange of the outer strength member, thereby closing the two pockets and the narrow channels.

Abstract: A pilot mechanism for improving operation of various functions of the pneumatic brake of a train. The mechanism includes solenoid valves, controllable by either a radio/battery mode of operation or a train wire system mode of operation. The solenoid valves can be interposed in various passages in fluid communication with passages of a conventional ABD control valve, as modified to enable operation of the invention, to permit substantially immediate venting of air in those passages to atmosphere.

Abstract: A modular jet spray device for use in cleaning submicron sized particles and molecular films using CO.sub.2 spray. The modular jet spray device comprises a valve body having first and second ends and an gas input for receiving a CO.sub.2 cleaning agent. A jet spray nozzle is removably secured to the first end of the valve body and comprises an input orifice and an output orifice. A sleeve assembly is removably secured to the second end of the valve body, and a needle assembly is removably secured to the sleeve assembly. The needle assembly has a needle that inserts into the input orifice of the nozzle. A micrometer is removably secured-to the sleeve assembly distal from the valve body and is coupled to the needle assembly for adjusting the position of the needle relative to the inlet orifice of the jet spray nozzle. A CO.sub.2 gas source is coupled to the gas input of the valve body. Optionally, a filter may be coupled between the CO.sub.2 gas source and the gas input of the valve body.

Abstract: A brake-pressure control device for a hydraulic multi-circuit brake system provides for brake-pressure generation, in addition to a brake unit, hydraulic regulating cylinders with electromotively drivable pistons. By electronic activation of the cylinders, the wheel brakes can be activated even without the cooperation of the driver. In the regulating cylinders of the front-wheel brakes, the pistons have a basic position, out of which brake-pressure build-up and reduction strokes can be executed. The pistons of the regulating cylinders of the rear-wheel brakes have a basic position which corresponds to the largest volume of the outlet-pressure spaces. The regulating cylinders are equipped with electronic position transmitters. A sensor whose output signal measures the expected value of the vehicle deceleration with which the driver wishes to brake is also provided.

Abstract: A brake system with a direct connection between the master cylinder and wheel brake through an isolation valve and dual normally closed poppet style control valves provides efficient, proportional and independent wheel control suitable for use in achieving anti-lock braking and traction control braking intervention functions.

Abstract: An actuator for a brake band wherein a unique cam and compression yoke arrangement permits location of the cam actuator along an axis parallel to the winch axis thereby permitting its location within the protective zone of the winch and the elimination of exposed spring operated brake actuating arrangements.

Abstract: An improved brake shoe table includes the edges of the brake shoe table being bent radially inwardly relative to the remainder of the table by between 45 and 90 degrees. The bent edges increase the rigidity of the brake shoe and also reduce localized lining wear by bringing the lining into contact with a brake drum in a more uniform fashion. Moreover, the improved brake shoe design has unexpectedly decreased the operation noise associated with the use of a cam brake system.

Abstract: An ABS hydraulic modulator concept designed for application in vehicle braking systems is presented. The design utilizes an integrated hybrid approach of dual apply/release solenoid control and single solenoid/isolation valve assembly control. Opening of the single solenoid induces an ABS release and causes the isolation valve assembly to close effecting wheel brake pressure reduction.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of jet propelled watercrafts having reverse thrust mechanisms and wherein an indicator is provided for indicating to following watercraft when the watercraft is being rapidly braked or rapidly turned. The watercraft has adjacent throttle and shift lever controls and various control lever positions are disclosed for facilitating ease of operation and compact construction.

Abstract: An autonomous plant watering and growth enhancement apparatus for arid climatic regions may include a solar powered Peltier unit or absorption cycle atmospheric vapor condensation module, to deliver a supply of water to a storage module. The stored water is supplied to a subsurface, site-specific delivery system located intimately with a target plant. The apparatus preferably utilizes fuzzy logic supervision provided with local sensing means and historical vapor pressure maps to control and predict water usage while controllably supplementing the delivered water with nutrients and anti-transpirants as needed.

Abstract: An adjustable energy absorption device includes an outer cylinder and a shock tube that is rotatably secured within the outer cylinder. The shock tube includes a series of groups of holes passing from the interior to the exterior surface of the tube. The device is also provided with a piston slidably retained within the shock tube for engaging contact with a body in motion. An accumulator for collecting fluid from the interior of the shock tube is provided within the sealed outer cylinder. A spiral groove is formed on the interior wall of the outer cylinder and extends from adjacent the distal end of the cylinder to the accumulator. The spiral groove forms a corresponding land segment between consecutive turns of the groove so that rotation between the shock tube and the outer cylinder moves each group of holes relative to the groove and land to adjustably vary the orifice area between the shock tube and the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A descender 10 having a resistance feed arrangement 14, 15 for a rope 5, a self-acting brake (12, 14, 15, 18) to automatically apply a braking force to the rope 5 in certain circumstances such as an emergency when the user is knocked unconscious, and a variable braking mechanism 21 which allows the user to selectively vary the braking force by moving a braking surface 24 in a direction away from the rope 5 to allow a controlled reduction of the braking force, and which will automatically return to a position for maximum braking force when released. Preferably, the variable braking mechanism 21 is in the form of a cam 22 selectively pivotal by means of a handle or lever 23 which may be connected to the tail end of the rope 5 by a retention arrangement 25 to allow easy actuation of the mechanism 21.