Abstract: An improved hydraulic brake system accommodates multiple, e.g. primary and secondary actuation forces while maintaining independence of operation between primary and secondary brake subsystems. A secondary subsystem line pressure booster draws its charging fluid from the primary system line using a split piston, free backflow, volume displacement approach. The improved brake system has a temperature sensitive condition sensing hydromechanical fuze to sense hydraulic line flow for velocity, volume, direction and pressure. The brake system also employs an input flow control valve to direct fluid flow in the secondary subsystem.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve unit with at least one pair of coaxial valves located opposite one another. According to the invention, a valve element common to both valves is designed as a one-piece sleeve-shaped valve element which is mounted fixedly in a bore of a valve housing and which, on each of its two end faces, has a respective valve seat for cooperation with the movable valve body of the respective associated valve.

Abstract: A shock absorber which is inertia responsive in both compression and extension strokes to provide rapid flow in either direction responsive to rapid large changes in loading as caused by a bump or dip. The inertia responsive valving is located in the piston or the piston rod or both affording simple shock absorber body design and simple cooling. The inertia responsive valving members are longitudinally slidable and of substantially uniform cross section so as to be substantially immune to acceleration forces due to turns and are substantially insensitive to pressure changes.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system has an actuator frame with a bore fluidly connected to the wheel brake and to a master cylinder. A piston, mounted within the bore, is operationally associated with a non-rotative nut which is threadably engaged by a power screw. To maximize reaction speed, a high efficiency thread is utilized between the power screw and the non-rotative nut. Therefore, pressure within the actuator can backdrive the piston. To prevent backdriving of the piston, there is a spring locking mechanism. The spring locking mechanism has a driver, a driven member and a coil spring with an inward-directed tang at its end. The tang is nested within a generally radial bore of a tab of the driven member.

Abstract: A vibration damping device includes first and second accelerometers which are used to determine the relative displacement between a body and a base between which the device is operatively connected. The output of one of the accelerometers is also monitored in a manner to determine the frequency of the vibration. This data is processed in a manner to ascertain the timing when the phases of a vertical spring input (produced by the compression of an elastomeric member which defines the main spring of the damper) and an expansion spring input (produced the displacement of rheopetic fluid between first and second variable volume chamber and the associated expansion characeristics of the members defining the same) are reversed. Using this data and the vibration frequency data the timing with which a voltage should be applied to electrodes disposed in an orifice interposed between the first and second chambers to increase the viscosity of the rheopetic fluid and increase the flow resistance of the orifice.

Abstract: A brake control system/method for preventing or minimizing trailer-swing (FIG. 6) in an articulated vehicle (10) is provided. The control system/method senses or calculates values indicative of articulation angle (AA) and time derivatives thereof (dAA/dt,d.sup.2 AA/dt.sup.2) and processes same to sense conditions indicative of an incipient or initial trailer brake induced trailer-swing event. An incipient or initial trailer brake induced trailer swing is sensed when the vehicle brakes are applied, the absolute value of articulation angle exceeds the absolute value of a reference value, the time derivative of articulation angle is in an opposite direction from articulation angle and/or the absolute value of one of the time derivatives of articulation angle exceeds the absolute value of a reference.