Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake system comprises a master cylinder block in fluid communication with a reservoir tank containing a brake fluid. The master cylinder block defines a bore and primary and secondary openings. A protrusion extends outwardly from a rear surface of the master cylinder block. A pressure supply unit coupled to a front surface of the master cylinder block and in fluid communication with the reservoir tank for supplying the brake fluid from the reservoir tank. A master cylinder electronic control unit couples to the rear surface and in an abutment relationship with the protrusion. At least one isolation valve disposed on the rear surface, spaced apart from the protrusion and received by the master cylinder electronic control unit, for regulating brake fluid flow from the master cylinder block to the wheel brakes.

Abstract: An air management system including at least one air spring and a compressor. The compressor defines a compartment having an inlet and an outlet. A reservoir is fluidly connected to the air spring and the compressor. A piston is moveable in the compartment and is reciprocally moveable in a compression stroke and an extension stroke in response to actuation of the motor in order to build-up air pressure at the outlet. The piston defines at least one passage extending between the extension chamber and the compression chamber, and at least one check valve positioned in the at least one passage such that air pressure in the compression chamber biases the piston toward the extension chamber to reduce a torque load on the motor during movement of the piston.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic solenoid poppet valve assembly having a dampening element. The valve assembly comprises a housing with a stator having a spring pocket being secured to the housing and an armature slidably located inside the housing. The armature has a spring pocket and an armature return spring located in the spring pockets of the stator and the armature, the spring biases the armature away from the stator thereby creating an air gap between them. A dampening element is located in the spring pocket of the stator surrounding the return spring and extending into the air gap. When the solenoid is energized the armature is moved across the air gap and contacts the dampening element prior to contacting the stator and the dampening element dampens movement of the stator across the air gap. A molded seat retainer locates upper and lower seals, provides a valve seat and flow passages.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control unit for a vehicle brake system includes a hydraulic control unit including an HCU block defining a motor bore containing an electric motor and an eccentric chamber containing a rotating eccentric driven by the electric motor. The HCU block also defines a pump bore containing a piston pump including a piston rod having a generally cylindrical shape with a smooth exterior surface extending substantially its entire length. An end cap is press fit around an end of the piston rod and includes a flange portion extending annularly outwardly for engaging a return spring. A piston guide includes a tubular portion guiding the piston rod and a shoulder for engaging the return spring. A throat of the piston guide holds a gland seal surrounding the piston rod. An outlet valve housing includes a tubular protrusion extending into the throat of the piston guide to hold the gland seal.

Abstract: An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block is coupled to the pressurized air source and includes a plurality of suspension valves in fluid communication with the pressurized air source and each defines a suspension orifice of a first diameter for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of air springs. A manifold pressurization valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension valves and the pressurized air source and defines a manifold pressurization orifice of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter of the suspension orifice for opening under high pressure to allow pressurized air into the manifold block. An electronic control unit controls the manifold pressurization valve and the plurality of suspension valves to equalize a high pressure differential across the plurality of suspension valves from the plurality of air springs.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake system includes a master cylinder block in communication with a reservoir tank containing a brake fluid. A protrusion extends from the master cylinder block to a terminal end. The master cylinder block defines a channel extending along a center axis into the protrusion. A pressure supply unit includes a housing defining a chamber and is in communication with the reservoir tank. A displacement piston, slidably disposed in the channel, extends between a primary end located in the chamber and a secondary end located in the channel. An actuator is disposed in the chamber, rotatably coupled to the displacement piston, for axial movement along the center axis. A first anti-rotational member is disposed in the channel, coupled to the terminal end, for engaging the secondary end to prevent rotation and translate rotational movement of the actuator into the axial movement.

Abstract: A concurrent leveling system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block, having a body defining an air feed inlet, is disposed between air springs and the pressurized air source. The body includes front and rear suspension valves. Each of the suspension valves defines a suspension valve orifice having a first predetermined diameter. The body includes at least one restrictor valve parallel to and in fluid communication with the front suspension valves. The at least one restrictor valve includes a first check valve and a first blocker valve orifice defining a first orifice diameter. The first check valve and the first blocker valve orifice are disposed parallel to one another and in series with the front suspension valves and in fluid communication with the air feed inlet and the front suspension valves for reducing fluid back flow to allow the vehicle to be lowered in nominal loading conditions.

Abstract: An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block is coupled to the pressurized air source and includes a plurality of suspension valves in fluid communication with the pressurized air source and each defines a suspension orifice of a first diameter for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of air springs. A manifold pressurization valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension valves and the pressurized air source and defines a manifold pressurization orifice of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter of the suspension orifice for opening under high pressure to allow pressurized air into the manifold block. An electronic control unit controls the manifold pressurization valve and the plurality of suspension valves to equalize a high pressure differential across the plurality of suspension valves from the plurality of air springs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic solenoid poppet valve assembly having a dampening element. The valve assembly comprises a housing with a stator having a spring pocket being secured to the housing and an armature slidably located inside the housing. The armature has a spring pocket and an armature return spring located in the spring pockets of the stator and the armature, the spring biases the armature away from the stator thereby creating an air gap between them. A dampening element is located in the spring pocket of the stator surrounding the return spring and extending into the air gap. When the solenoid is energized the armature is moved across the air gap and contacts the dampening element prior to contacting the stator and the dampening element dampens movement of the stator across the air gap. A molded seat retainer locates upper and lower seals, provides a valve seat and flow passages.

Abstract: An air management system for a vehicle. The air management system includes at least one air spring. A compressor is provided for filling the air spring. A central air line is fluidly connected to the air spring and the compressor. At least one spring air line extends between the central air line and the air spring. At least one suspension valve is disposed along the spring air line. At least one auxiliary air line extends between the spring air line and the central air line. At least one high flow exhaust valve is disposed along the auxiliary air line. At least one isolation check valve is disposed in series with the high flow exhaust along the spring air line. The isolation check valve allows air to pass through therethrough from the air spring to the central air line while preventing air from passing therethrough from the central air line to the air spring.

Abstract: An air management system for a vehicle. The air management system includes at least one air spring. A compressor is provided for filling the air spring. A central air line is fluidly connected to the air spring and the compressor. At least one spring air line extends between the central air line and the air spring. At least one suspension valve is disposed along the spring air line. At least one auxiliary air line extends between the spring air line and the central air line. At least one high flow exhaust valve is disposed along the auxiliary air line. At least one isolation check valve is disposed in series with the high flow exhaust along the spring air line. The isolation check valve allows air to pass through therethrough from the air spring to the central air line while preventing air from passing therethrough from the central air line to the air spring.

Abstract: A pump and a pump piston assembly. The pump piston assembly includes a pump piston, a pump check valve, and a spring. The pump piston has a piston bore extending from a first piston end toward a second piston end. The pump check valve is positioned proximate the first piston end. The spring has an attached portion attached to the pump piston proximate the first piston end and has a biasing portion biasing the pump check valve to fluidly block the piston bore. The attached portion of the spring is closer to the second piston end than is the biasing portion of the sprint. The pump includes the pump piston assembly and a pump sleeve, wherein the pump piston is slidably engaged in the sleeve bore of the pump sleeve.

Abstract: A pump and a pump piston assembly. The pump piston assembly includes a pump piston, a pump check valve, and a spring. The pump piston has a piston bore extending from a first piston end toward a second piston end. The pump check valve is positioned proximate the first piston end. The spring has an attached portion attached to the pump piston proximate the first piston end and has a biasing portion biasing the pump check valve to fluidly block the piston bore. The attached portion of the spring is closer to the second piston end than is the biasing portion of the sprint. The pump includes the pump piston assembly and a pump sleeve, wherein the pump piston is slidably engaged in the sleeve bore of the pump sleeve.

Abstract: Cold temperature performance of a pump for a controlled braking systems is enhanced, and internal flow restrictions of the pump are minimized, by placing the poppet return spring in a separate cavity out of the flow path through the pump. The separate spring cavity also allows travel of the poppet to be limited, thereby also limiting the loss of volumetric efficiency due to flow forces generated by cold, viscous fluid pushing the poppet an increasing distance from the seating area.

Abstract: The invention is a two-stage, two-poppet prime valve assembly for use in high pressure applications such as vehicle braking systems. The valve assembly has two valve seats and two plungers for allowing the valve assembly to open under high pressure while providing minimal internal flow restrictions to enhance cold temperature and low pressure operation. The two-stage, two poppet valve assembly contains two separate flow paths, one being high pressure, relatively low flow called a stage one, and the other being relatively low pressure, high flow called a stage two. In addition, the valve incorporates a reverse flow bypass feature that is capable of controlling flow at very high pressure and allowing reverse flow with a very low pressure drop.

Abstract: An anti-extrusion ring for use in conjunction with a vehicle solenoid valve has a plano-concave cross-section. The anti-extrusion ring is used to support a seal that seals the interface between a solenoid valve and a bore within a valve fitting. When the solenoid valve is installed in the valve fitting, a bore-to-ring interference area is formed between the bore and the anti-extrusion ring and a debris capture area is formed above the bore-to-ring interference area. Thus, when the anti-extrusion ring controllably fractures during installation of the solenoid valve with the bore or due to vibration, debris from the ring will be captured in the debris capture area and prevented from entering a fluid system in which the vehicle solenoid valve is used.

Abstract: An anti-extrusion ring for use in conjunction with a vehicle solenoid valve has a plano-concave cross-section. The anti-extrusion ring is used to support a seal that seals the interface between a solenoid valve and a bore within a valve fitting. When the solenoid valve is installed in the valve fitting, a bore-to-ring interference area is formed between the bore and the anti-extrusion ring and a debris capture area is formed above the bore-to-ring interference area. Thus, when the anti-extrusion ring controllably fractures during installation of the solenoid valve with the bore or due to vibration, debris from the ring will be captured in the debris capture area and prevented from entering a fluid system in which the vehicle solenoid valve is used.

Abstract: Cold temperature performance of a pump for a controlled braking systems is enhanced, and internal flow restrictions of the pump are minimized, by placing the poppet return spring in a separate cavity out of the flow path through the pump. The separate spring cavity also allows travel of the poppet to be limited, thereby also limiting the loss of volumetric efficiency due to flow forces generated by cold, viscous fluid pushing the poppet an increasing distance from the seating area.

Abstract: The invention is a two-stage, two-poppet prime valve assembly for use in high pressure applications such as vehicle braking systems. The valve assembly has two valve seats and two plungers for allowing the valve assembly to open under high pressure while providing minimal internal flow restrictions to enhance cold temperature and low pressure operation. The two-stage, two poppet valve assembly contains two separate flow paths, one being high pressure, relatively low flow called a stage one, and the other being relatively low pressure, high flow called a stage two. In addition, the valve incorporates a reverse flow bypass feature that is capable of controlling flow at very high pressure and allowing reverse flow with a very low pressure drop.

Abstract: A vehicle solenoid valve includes an inlet port circumscribed by a rounded cup-shaped valve seat and an outlet port. A two-piece poppet is installed within the valve and includes a non-magnetic poppet shaft connected to a frustum-shaped poppet head. The poppet head includes an integrally formed, rounded nose that is sized and shaped to engage the rounded cup-shaped valve seat. The poppet is movable between an open configuration, wherein the rounded nose is distanced from the valve seat, and a closed configuration, wherein the rounded nose engages the valve seat to block fluid communication through the valve.