Abstract: A brake actuator assembly including a pressure plate presenting an opening, a push rod that is coupled to the pressure plate, a diaphragm that is coupled to the pressure plate, and a retainer that engages the push rod. The push rod has an outer surface and at least one protrusion extending outward from the outer surface. The retainer engages the protrusion such that at least a portion of the diaphragm is positioned between the pressure plate and the retainer.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly including a pressure plate presenting an opening, a push rod that is coupled to the pressure plate, a diaphragm that is coupled to the pressure plate, and a retainer that engages the push rod. The push rod has an outer surface and at least one protrusion extending outward from the outer surface. The retainer engages the protrusion such that at least a portion of the diaphragm is positioned between the pressure plate and the retainer.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly including a pressure plate presenting an opening, a push rod that is coupled to the pressure plate, a diaphragm that is coupled to the pressure plate, and a retainer that engages the push rod. The push rod has an outer surface and at least one protrusion extending outward from the outer surface. The retainer engages the protrusion such that at least a portion of the diaphragm is positioned between the pressure plate and the retainer.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a housing and a divider that divides the housing into a spring chamber containing a spring and a pressure chamber. The divider has an opening that receives an end of an actuator tube. A bearing that is positioned within the opening in the divider is joined to both the divider and the actuator tube. A caging bolt has a first end positioned within the actuator tube and extends from the first end through openings in the bearing and housing to a second end positioned outside of the housing. The connection between the bearing, divider and actuator tube contains the spring within the housing in the event that the housing and/or divider fails. The divider can be a piston or a diaphragm and pressure plate. The bearing can be joined to either of the divider and actuator tube with threads and/or by welding.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly including a pressure plate presenting an opening, a push rod that is coupled to the pressure plate, a diaphragm that is coupled to the pressure plate, and a retainer that engages the push rod. The push rod has an outer surface and at least one protrusion extending outward from the outer surface. The retainer engages the protrusion such that at least a portion of the diaphragm is positioned between the pressure plate and the retainer.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a housing and a divider that divides the housing into a spring chamber containing a spring and a pressure chamber. The divider has an opening that receives an end of an actuator tube. A bearing that is positioned within the opening in the divider is joined to both the divider and the actuator tube. A caging bolt has a first end positioned within the actuator tube and extends from the first end through openings in the bearing and housing to a second end positioned outside of the housing. The connection between the bearing, divider and actuator tube contains the spring within the housing in the event that the housing and/or divider fails. The divider can be a piston or a diaphragm and pressure plate. The bearing can be joined to either of the divider and actuator tube with threads and/or by welding.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a housing and a divider that divides the housing into a spring chamber containing a spring and a pressure chamber. The divider has an opening that receives an end of an actuator tube. A bearing that is positioned within the opening in the divider is joined to both the divider and the actuator tube. A caging bolt has a first end positioned within the actuator tube and extends from the first end through openings in the hearing and housing to a second end positioned outside of the housing. The connection between the bearing, divider and actuator tube contains the spring within the housing in the event that the housing and/or divider fails. The divider can be a piston or a diaphragm and pressure plate. The bearing can be joined to either of the divider and actuator tube with threads and/or by welding.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake actuator has a housing and a divider that divides the housing into a spring chamber containing a spring and a pressure chamber. The divider has an opening that receives an end of an actuator tube. A bearing that is positioned within the opening in the divider is joined to both the divider and the actuator tube. A caging bolt has a first end positioned within the actuator tube and extends from the first end through openings in the hearing and housing to a second end positioned outside of the housing. The connection between the bearing, divider and actuator tube contains the spring within the housing in the event that the housing and/or divider fails. The divider can be a piston or a diaphragm and pressure plate. The bearing can be joined to either of the divider and actuator tube with threads and/or by welding.

Abstract: A brake stud housing assembly and method of construction of such assembly for vehicles that exhibits increased shock resistance and vibration reduction capability, allowing for increased durability of a brake housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a vibration dampening layer having an adhesive material that provides a permanent connection between the housing shell and reinforcing plate, which transfers both tensile and compressive loading forces between the housing shell and reinforcing plate in order to reduce vibration and stress.

Abstract: A brake actuator system of a vehicle comprising a diaphragm design with a hole and sealing element in the center. The design allows for the sealing element to seal and slide on the outer diameter of the center pushrod for the exposed length. This eliminates the need for a fixed joint to permanently attach the diaphragm to the center pushrod, and allows for the pushrod to be attached to the spring piston or a separate fixed plate and reduces stress of the diaphragm at its interface.

Abstract: A brake stud housing assembly and method of construction of such assembly for vehicles that exhibits increased shock resistance and vibration reduction capability, allowing for increased durability of a brake housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a vibration dampening layer having an adhesive material that provides a permanent connection between the housing shell and reinforcing plate, which transfers both tensile and compressive loading forces between the housing shell and reinforcing plate in order to reduce vibration and stress.

Abstract: A brake actuator system of a vehicle comprising a diaphragm design with a hole and sealing element in the center. The design allows for the sealing element to seal and slide on the outer diameter of the center pushrod for the exposed length. This eliminates the need for a fixed joint to permanently attach the diaphragm to the center pushrod, and allows for the pushrod to be attached to the spring piston or a separate fixed plate and reduces stress of the diaphragm at its interface.

Abstract: An air-operated brake actuator system of a vehicle comprises a spring brake actuator and a service brake actuator, the spring brake actuator including a sealed housing with a spring chamber and a pressure chamber, and a hollow actuator rod disposed in the spring brake actuator and axially moveable for applying a parking brake, the service brake actuator including a service pressure chamber for applying a service brake, in which a control valve of the brake actuator system includes a valve body placeable within the hollow actuator rod, the valve body including an opening formed therein for allowing fluid communication between the spring chamber of the spring brake actuator and the service pressure chamber of the service brake actuator through the hollow actuator rod, the control valve including a membrane formed of an elastic material and having a breathing hole formed there-through, the membrane positioned within the opening of the valve body and configured to seal the opening except the breathing hole when t

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for positioning components of a brake system, which includes a push rod, a ball end coupled to the push rod, and a force transfer member placed between the push rod and the ball end. The force transfer member has both a flowable property and a solidifying property, whereby the force transfer member is flowable when being placed between the push rod and ball end and, after a passage of time, the force transfer member solidifies.