Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.

Abstract: A fifth wheel system includes a fifth wheel configured to couple to a kingpin of a towed trailer such that vibrations are generated when the fifth wheel couples to the kingpin. A sensor in operative association with the fifth wheel and configured to sense the vibrations and generates vibration data. A controller receives the vibration data and processes the vibration data to detect a presence or an absence of a predetermined vibration component that occurs when the fifth wheel properly couples to the kingpin. An indicator indicates proper coupling of the fifth wheel to the kingpin when the predetermined vibration component is present.

Abstract: A fifth wheel system includes a fifth wheel configured to couple to a kingpin of a towed trailer such that vibrations are generated when the fifth wheel couples to the kingpin. A sensor in operative association with the fifth wheel and configured to sense the vibrations and generates vibration data. A controller receives the vibration data and processes the vibration data to detect a presence or an absence of a predetermined vibration component that occurs when the fifth wheel properly couples to the kingpin. An indicator indicates proper coupling of the fifth wheel to the kingpin when the predetermined vibration component is present.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator for applying a brake of a vehicle includes a housing containing a diaphragm that separates the housing into first and second chambers. A clutch actuator device is for selectively compressing a compression spring such that the spring brake actuator is operable in a plurality of states including a parking state, driving state, and a braking state.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.

Abstract: A wheel end component monitoring system includes at least one wheel end component and an aggregator system operably connected to the at least one wheel end component. The wheel end component includes a component body and a sensor assembly configured to detect an input associated with the component body, output sensor data representative of the detected input, and transmit the sensor data. The aggregator system is configured to receive position information for the wheel end component from a user interface, receive identification information for the wheel end component from the wheel end component, associate the position information with the identification information for the wheel end component, receive the sensor data from the wheel end component, associate the sensor data with the position information for the wheel end component, and output the sensor data together with the associated position information for the wheel end component.

Abstract: A brake chamber includes a chamber housing having an end, a push rod configured for reciprocal movement in the chamber housing in a first direction and a second direction over a stroke distance, a return spring disposed in the chamber housing configured to urge the push rod in the second direction and a sensor assembly having a sensor and a magnet movable relative to the sensor with movement of the push rod. The sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field strength of the magnet and output sensor data representative of the detected magnetic field strength. The sensor assembly is configured to determine a position of the push rod based on the sensor data over the entire stroke distance.

Abstract: A spring brake actuator for applying a brake of a vehicle includes a housing containing a diaphragm that separates the housing into first and second chambers. A clutch actuator device is for selectively compressing a compression spring such that the spring brake actuator is operable in a plurality of states including a parking state, driving state, and a braking state.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and verifying operational states of fifth wheels. Certain methods for determining the operational state of the fifth wheel may include sensing, with at least one sensor, magnetic flux caused by a magnet on a movable component movable to lock the fifth wheel to a kingpin of a towed vehicle and determining an end position of the movable component based on the magnetic flux. The end position of the movable component is then compared to a threshold position and an operational state of the fifth wheel is determined based on the comparison of the end position of the movable component to the threshold position.

Abstract: A vehicle spring brake having a parking brake housing that defines a parking brake chamber and a service brake housing that defines a service brake chamber. A flexible membrane separates the parking brake chamber from the service brake chamber and flexes into and out of the service brake chamber based upon a pressure differential between an air pressure in the parking brake chamber and an air pressure in the service brake chamber. A pushrod extends out of the service brake housing when the flexible membrane flexes into the service brake chamber and retracts into the service brake housing when the flexible membrane flexes back out of the service brake chamber. A control valve controls the pressure differential to thereby control movement of the flexible membrane and the pushrod.

Abstract: A brake chamber includes a chamber housing having an end, a push rod configured for reciprocal movement in the chamber housing in a first direction and a second direction over a stroke distance, a return spring disposed in the chamber housing configured to urge the push rod in the second direction and a sensor assembly having a sensor and a magnet movable relative to the sensor with movement of the push rod. The sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field strength of the magnet and output sensor data representative of the detected magnetic field strength. The sensor assembly is configured to determine a position of the push rod based on the sensor data over the entire stroke distance.

Abstract: A wheel end component monitoring system includes at least one wheel end component and an aggregator system operably connected to the at least one wheel end component. The wheel end component includes a component body and a sensor assembly configured to detect an input associated with the component body, output sensor data representative of the detected input, and transmit the sensor data. The aggregator system is configured to receive position information for the wheel end component from a user interface, receive identification information for the wheel end component from the wheel end component, associate the position information with the identification information for the wheel end component, receive the sensor data from the wheel end component, associate the sensor data with the position information for the wheel end component, and output the sensor data together with the associated position information for the wheel end component.

Abstract: A fifth wheel system includes a fifth wheel configured to couple to a kingpin of a towed trailer such that vibrations are generated when the fifth wheel couples to the kingpin. A sensor in operative association with the fifth wheel and configured to sense the vibrations and generates vibration data. A controller receives the vibration data and processes the vibration data to detect a presence or an absence of a predetermined vibration component that occurs when the fifth wheel properly couples to the kingpin. An indicator indicates proper coupling of the fifth wheel to the kingpin when the predetermined vibration component is present.

Abstract: Spring failure detection systems include an air brake cylinder having a spring axially extending therein, a sensor coupled to the air brake cylinder and configured to sense forces applied to the air brake cylinder, an indicator coupled to the sensor and configured to indicate failure of the spring based on the forces sensed by the sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to control the indicator. Methods for detecting failure of a spring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle spring brake having a parking brake housing that defines a parking brake chamber and a service brake housing that defines a service brake chamber. A flexible membrane separates the parking brake chamber from the service brake chamber and flexes into and out of the service brake chamber based upon a pressure differential between an air pressure in the parking brake chamber and an air pressure in the service brake chamber. A pushrod extends out of the service brake housing when the flexible membrane flexes into the service brake chamber and retracts into the service brake housing when the flexible membrane flexes back out of the service brake chamber. A control valve controls the pressure differential to thereby control movement of the flexible membrane and the pushrod.

Abstract: Spring failure detection systems include an air brake cylinder having a spring axially extending therein, a sensor coupled to the air brake cylinder and configured to sense forces applied to the air brake cylinder, an indicator coupled to the sensor and configured to indicate failure of the spring based on the forces sensed by the sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to control the indicator. Methods for detecting failure of a spring are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator includes a housing defining a chamber. A diaphragm is positioned within the chamber. A rod member is attached to the diaphragm and is movable between a first position and a second position. A cam member is attached to the diaphragm and to the rod member. The cam member has a cam surface. A deflection rod has a first end portion and a second end portion, where the first end portion of the deflection rod is attached to the housing. A follower is attached to the second end portion of the deflection rod. The follower engages the cam surface of the cam member so as to urge the rod member towards the second position.

Abstract: A brake chamber stroke indicator system for a brake system including a brake air chamber includes an indicator rod or a string pot gauge including a housing with an indicator rotatably positioned within the housing. A string has a first end attached to the indicator of the string pot gauge. A spring urges the indicator to rotate in a first direction whereby the string is retracted into the housing. The second end of the string is attached to a brake push rod or a pressure plate. The indicator rod is mounted by a base onto a pressure plate.