Abstract: A hollow rocker shaft including a central opening defined by a radially inner surface and a separator secured in the central opening of the rocker shaft is provided. A radially outer surface of the separator engages the radially inner surface of the rocker shaft via a press-fit. The separator divides the central opening of the rocker shaft into (1) a first chamber extending between a first chamber axial end and the separator, and (2) a second chamber extending between a second chamber axial end and the separator. The separator includes an orifice defined between the first chamber and the second chamber that provides fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber.

Abstract: A switching hydraulic fluid gallery de-aeration arrangement for a switchable valve arrangement is disclosed. A housing for a hydraulic lash adjuster assembly is positioned in a bore of a cylinder head. The housing includes a first, hydraulic lash adjuster fluid port in a first annular groove, and a second switching hydraulic fluid port in a second annular groove. A top land and a bottom land are positioned next to the annular grooves and each have a primary outer diameter. A middle land is defined axially between the grooves. The middle land has a reduced outer diameter relative to the primary outer diameter, or the bore has an annular groove between the top and bottom lands that defines a restricted flow path between a hydraulic lash adjuster fluid gallery and a switching hydraulic fluid gallery that maintains hydraulic fluid in the switching hydraulic fluid gallery.

Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower includes an inner lever, an outer lever pivotably mounted to the inner lever by a pivot axle, and a coupling device. The coupling device includes a coupling pin configured to move between a locked position in which the inner lever and the outer lever are connected together for movement in at least one direction and an unlocked position in which the inner lever is movable relative to the outer lever in the at least one direction. The coupling device also includes a spring configured to bias the coupling pin in the locked or unlocked position. A de-aeration flow path is formed between an oil passage and an opening for allowing air to move out of the oil passage, past the coupling pin, and exit through the opening. The de-aeration flow path switches between being open and closed based on a position of the coupling pin.

Abstract: A switchable rocker arm for valve deactivation is provided for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The switchable rocker arm includes a cam lever assembly, a valve lever assembly, and a hydraulically actuated coupling assembly that is radially arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies. The coupling assembly includes a shuttle pin, a locking pin with a round or flat locking interface, and optional shuttle pin and locking pin sleeves. In a first, locked position, the rotational motion of a camshaft is translated to linear motion of an engine valve. In a second, unlocked position, the cam lever assembly rotates about the valve lever assembly, facilitating valve deactivation. A pivot joint arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies facilitates an arcuate lost motion of the cam lever assembly. An integrated arrangement for one or more lost motion springs offers packaging and functional advantages.

Abstract: A switching hydraulic fluid gallery de-aeration arrangement for a switchable valve arrangement is disclosed. A housing for a hydraulic lash adjuster assembly is positioned in a bore of a cylinder head. The housing includes a first, hydraulic lash adjuster fluid port in a first annular groove, and a second switching hydraulic fluid port in a second annular groove. A top land and a bottom land are positioned next to the annular grooves and each have a primary outer diameter. A middle land is defined axially between the grooves. The middle land has a reduced outer diameter relative to the primary outer diameter, or the bore has an annular groove between the top and bottom lands that defines a restricted flow path between a hydraulic lash adjuster fluid gallery and a switching hydraulic fluid gallery that maintains hydraulic fluid in the switching hydraulic fluid gallery.

Abstract: A brake monitoring assembly and method for monitoring a brake system of a train includes a plurality of train bogeys supporting each train car, each bogey having a wheel axle supporting wheels engaging a train track. Each wheel axle includes a tread brake and a disc brake. A tread brake actuator includes an extendable tread brake pushrod for actuating the tread brake. A disc brake actuator includes an extendable disc brake pushrod for actuating the disc brake. A pneumatic system provides pneumatic pressure for actuating the brakes and includes a sensor for monitoring pressure. Each brake actuator includes a sensor for detecting length of extension of a pushrod. A controller identifies a condition of the actuators when the pressure detected by the sensor is inconsistent with a length of extension of any of the pushrods and signals an indicator for indicating a condition of the actuators.

Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor assembly for an air disk brake includes a brake actuator having a pushrod projecting from inside a chamber of said brake actuator. The pushrod releasably actuates a lever arm of a caliper thereby moving the disk brake into a braking position when the pushrod is in an extended position and releasing the disk brake from the braking position when the pushrod is in a retracted position. The pushrod includes a pushrod shaft and a contact member biased in a telescoping relationship relative to the pushrod shaft and the lever arm of the caliper abuts the contact member counteracting the bias of the contact member. A sensor is integrated with the assembly proximate the contact member and detects movement of the pushrod relative to the lever arm and to the pushrod shaft.

Abstract: A switchable valve train assembly including a rocker shaft is provided. The rocker shaft includes a first chamber extending between a first axial end and a second axial end of the rocker shaft and a second chamber extending between the first axial end and the second axial end of the rocker shaft. A seepage orifice is defined between the first chamber and the second chamber and provides a fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber includes a first actuator port in fluid connection with a first intake port for a hydraulic lash adjuster. The second chamber includes a second actuator port in fluid connection with a second intake port for a locking assembly.

Abstract: A switchable valve train assembly including a carrier housing defining a hydraulic circuit, a supply assembly, a plurality of rocker shafts, a plurality of separators, and a plurality of rocker arm assemblies is provided. Each one of the plurality of separators divides the rocker shafts into (1) a first chamber extending between a first chamber axial end and the separator, and (2) a second chamber extending between a second chamber axial end and the separator. The plurality of separators each include an orifice defined between the first chamber and the second chamber that provides fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber. Locking assemblies of the rocker arm assemblies are selectively actuated based on the supply assembly. The separators ensure that hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic fluid is de-aerated and that the second chambers remain primed with hydraulic fluid for faster actuation of the locking assemblies.

Abstract: A hollow rocker shaft including a central opening defined by a radially inner surface and a separator secured in the central opening of the rocker shaft is provided. A radially outer surface of the separator engages the radially inner surface of the rocker shaft via a press-fit. The separator divides the central opening of the rocker shaft into (1) a first chamber extending between a first chamber axial end and the separator, and (2) a second chamber extending between a second chamber axial end and the separator. The separator includes an orifice defined between the first chamber and the second chamber that provides fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber.

Abstract: A switchable rocker arm for valve deactivation is provided for a valve train of an internal combustion engine. The switchable rocker arm includes a cam lever assembly, a valve lever assembly, and a hydraulically actuated coupling assembly that is radially arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies. The coupling assembly includes a shuttle pin, a locking pin with a round or flat locking interface, and optional shuttle pin and locking pin sleeves. In a first, locked position, the rotational motion of a camshaft is translated to linear motion of an engine valve. In a second, unlocked position, the cam lever assembly rotates about the valve lever assembly, facilitating valve deactivation. A pivot joint arranged between the cam lever and valve lever assemblies facilitates an arcuate lost motion of the cam lever assembly. An integrated arrangement for one or more lost motions springs offers packaging and functional advantages.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly for an air disk brake includes an actuator housing having a pushrod that is extensible from the actuator housing. A lever arm is disposed inside a caliper housing. The lever arm is actuated by the pushrod for transferring motion from the actuator to a brake pad. A sensor element is disposed between the actuator housing and the caliper housing with the sensor element being sealably engaged to the actuator housing providing an air tight enclosure between the caliper housing and the actuator. An inspection port is disposed in the sensor element providing access to receive a visual sensor and a pressure sensor for identifying a condition of the brake actuator and for identifying a condition of the air tight enclosure.

Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor assembly for an air disk brake includes a brake actuator having a pushrod projecting from inside a chamber of said brake actuator. The pushrod releasably actuates a lever arm of a caliper thereby moving the disk brake into a braking position when the pushrod is in an extended position and releasing the disk brake from the braking position when the pushrod is in a retracted position. The pushrod includes a pushrod shaft and a contact member biased in a telescoping relationship relative to the pushrod shaft and the lever arm of the caliper abuts the contact member counteracting the bias of the contact member. A sensor is integrated with the assembly proximate the contact member and detects movement of the pushrod relative to the lever arm and to the pushrod shaft.

Abstract: A brake monitoring assembly and method for monitoring a brake system of a train includes a plurality of train bogeys supporting each train car, each bogey having a wheel axle supporting wheels engaging a train track. Each wheel axle includes a tread brake and a disc brake. A tread brake actuator includes an extendable tread brake pushrod for actuating the tread brake. A disc brake actuator includes an extendable disc brake pushrod for actuating the disc brake. A pneumatic system provides pneumatic pressure for actuating the brakes and includes a sensor for monitoring pressure. Each brake actuator includes a sensor for detecting length of extension of a pushrod. A controller identifies a condition of the actuators when the pressure detected by the sensor is inconsistent with a length of extension of any of the pushrods and signals an indicator for indicating a condition of the actuators.

Abstract: A brake monitoring system and method for a vehicle having multiple axles and a plurality of brake actuators and an engine control module, each brake actuator being associated with one of the axle. The system include sensors for measuring, in real-time, brake pressure and brake lining wear, and generating first and second signals. The first and second signals are received and stored in a chassis communications module. The chassis communications module detects fault condition of the brakes as a function of the first and/or second signals and for recording the fault condition, the fault condition being one of a brake monitor warning and a brake lining warning and provides an indication of status via warning lights.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly for an air disk brake includes an actuator housing having a pushrod that is extensible from the actuator housing. A lever arm is disposed inside a caliper housing. The lever arm is actuated by the pushrod for transferring motion from the actuator to a brake pad. A sensor element is disposed between the actuator housing and the caliper housing with the sensor element being sealably engaged to the actuator housing providing an air tight enclosure between the caliper housing and the actuator. An inspection port is disposed in the sensor element providing access to receive a visual sensor and a pressure sensor for identifying a condition of the brake actuator and for identifying a condition of the air tight enclosure.

Abstract: A portable ultraviolet pulse oximeter sanitizer is a handheld unit that irradiates a pulse oximeter probe with ultraviolet light within a sealed sanitizing chamber. A main compartment section has one half of the sanitizing chamber, and a door section has the other half of the sanitizing chamber. A pulse oximeter probe may be clamped onto an attachment post within the sanitizing chamber. After the door is closed, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps within the sanitizing chamber are activated, irradiating the pulse oximeter probe with ultraviolet light. A battery provides electrical power to the ultraviolet lamps, and a timer automatically deactivates the ultraviolet lamps after a specified time period.

Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor assembly for an air disk brake includes a brake actuator having a pushrod projecting from inside a chamber of said brake actuator. The pushrod releasably actuates a lever arm of a caliper thereby moving the disk brake into a braking position when the pushrod is in an extended position and releasing the disk brake from the braking position when the pushrod is in a retracted position. The pushrod includes a pushrod shaft and a contact member biased in a telescoping relationship relative to the pushrod shaft and the lever arm of the caliper abuts the contact member counteracting the bias of the contact member. A sensor is integrated with the assembly proximate the contact member and detects movement of the pushrod relative to the lever arm and to the pushrod shaft.

Abstract: A communications system includes a Voice over IP (VoIP) device, a plurality of radios each configured to communicate using a plurality of different radio channels, and a bridge radio. The bridge radio includes a VoIP interface configured to communicate with the VoIP device, a radio interface configured to communicate with the radios, and a controller coupled to the VoIP interface and the radio interface. The controller is configured to receive a communication request from the VoIP device to communicate via a given radio channel. The communication request includes an IP address associated with the bridge radio and a channel identifier associated with the given radio channel. The controller also bridges communications between the VoIP device and at least one of the radios over the given radio channel based upon the received communication request.

Abstract: A vehicle brake monitor assembly for an air disk brake includes a brake actuator having a pushrod projecting from inside a chamber of said brake actuator. The pushrod releasably actuates a lever arm of a caliper thereby moving the disk brake into a braking position when the pushrod is in an extended position and releasing the disk brake from the braking position when the pushrod is in a retracted position. The pushrod includes a pushrod shaft and a contact member biased in a telescoping relationship relative to the pushrod shaft and the lever arm of the caliper abuts the contact member counteracting the bias of the contact member. A sensor is integrated with the assembly proximate the contact member and detects movement of the pushrod relative to the lever arm and to the pushrod shaft.