Abstract: A drum brake is provided which in a preferred embodiment includes a backing plate having an anchor at a first end, first and second brake shoes pivotally mounted with respect to the anchor, a nonrotative nut mounted for linear motion with respect to the backing plate, a first apply lever pivotally mounted with respect to the nut and with respect to the first brake shoe, a second apply lever pivotally mounted with respect to the backing plate and with respect to the secondary brake shoe, a first strut pivotally mounted with the first and second brake shoes, a power screw threadably engaged with the nut for translating the nut, and an electric motor torsionally associated with the power screw for turning the same.

Abstract: An automotive reservoir arrangement is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a reservoir body capable of holding fluid to a first elevation, a vent cap connected with the reservoir body above the first elevation, a conduit connected with the reservoir at a level below the first elevation, a cylinder fluidly connected with the conduit at a second elevation below the first elevation, the cylinder having a flange, a filler tube sealably slidably inserted within the cylinder being spring biased to extend to a third elevation higher than the first elevation, and a cap for sealing the filler tube and the cap engaging with the flange of the cylinder to retain the filler tube at a fourth elevation below the first elevation.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic braking system for a vehicle is provided including, in a preferred embodiment, a master cylinder, an alpha first pressure transducer providing a signal in response to the pressure of the fluid delivered by the master cylinder, an accumulator for accepting fluid from the master cylinder, an electric actuator for delivering and relieving pressurized fluid to the brake in response to the alpha pressurizer transducer in a normal mode of operation, an isolation valve isolating the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the braking system is in a normal braking mode and exposing the master cylinder with the wheel brake during an occurrence of an electric failure, and an accumulator shut-off valve to diminish the capacity of the accumulator when the master cylinder is exposed to the wheel brake due to an electric failure.

Abstract: An ABS system has a plurality of brake channels receiving apply pressure directly from a pump without an accumulator during ABS operation. To assure sufficient pressure for all channels during ABS reapply modes the channels are multiplexed to apply one at a time and keeping on hold other channels scheduled for apply. Several states of brake application are identified and the states are prioritized for each channel so that the multiplexing is ordered according to channel priority.

Abstract: A vehicle disc brake is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a first caliper pivotally mounted with respect to the vehicle, a first brake shoe slidably mounted with respect to the first caliper for selective contact with a vehicle wheel rotor, an electric actuator to selectively move the first shoe into engagement with the rotor, an actuator plate mounted for relative motion with respect to the vehicle and operatively associated with the first caliper wherein movement of the first caliper resultant of the first shoe engagement with the rotor causes the actuator plate to move, a second caliper generally locationally fixed with respect to the vehicle wheel axis, a second brake shoe mounted by the second caliper operatively associated with the actuator plate for engagement with the rotor, and a ball captured in a ramp between the actuator plate and second brake shoe for converting movement of the actuator plate into movement of the second brake shoe to engage with the rotor.

Abstract: To provide an ABS/TC integration and method of utilization thereof which is an alternative to those previously provided and to maximize the utilization of the actuator in both the ABS and TC functions the present invention is brought forth. The present invention provides an ABS/TC integration with a common actuator which maximizes the operation of the actuator when in either an ABS or TC braking mode.

Abstract: A vehicle brake caliper with a piston having a cavity is provided. A phase change material is inserted within the piston cavity wherein an increase in heat energy into the piston due to an application of the brake piston causes the brake piston temperature to increase and then to stabilize by heat energy absorption by the phase change material during its change of state.

Abstract: A brake system using a pair of brake apply and release force units, the units having electric motors with non-backdriveable mechanical output members to supply the needed brake apply force to limit of capability of the motors. Piezoelectric elements that generate high forces with low expansion during rapid rates of change of applied voltage are positioned in brake apply force-transmitting series with the motor output members. These elements are alternately energerized with applied voltage and deenergized, in opposite phase relation. The piezoelectric expansion effect of each energized element is mechanically captured in each energization cycle by the motor unit having the deenergized element so that the brake apply forces actually applied to actuate the brake are increased well beyond the maximum output of the motors.

Abstract: A pressure stabilization valve is provided for a vehicle wheel brake with a self actuated auxiliary presssure. The valve modifies the output of the auxiliary pressure to make it proportional with the pressure of a primary pressure source for actuating the brakes.

Abstract: The invention provides a brake booster including in a preferred embodiment a housing, first and second annular flexible diaphragms spaced from one another forming a sealed second chamber within the housing and a sealed first chamber between the first diaphragm and the first end of the housing, a generally annular shaped power piston for connection with the master cylinder piston, a chamber valve seat separating the first and second chambers, an inlet valve slidably mounted within the power piston, and a control valve spring biased away from the power piston and connected with the pedal linkage and being slidably and sealably mounted within first end of the housing.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle drum brake including a brake drum for connected to the vehicle wheel and a backing plate for connected to the vehicle. At least one brake shoe is and pivotally mounted with respect to the backing plate. A non-rotative nut mounted for linear motion with respect to said backing plate and has a pivotal connection with the brake shoe. A power screw is threadably engaged with the nut. An electric motor powers the power screw to turn the same to actuate the brakes. A parking brake mechanism is also provided by a coil spring which surrounds a drum which is connected with the power train from and including the electrical motor and the power screw. An actuator is provided to move the coil spring to an unwound position to allow the parking brake to release.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel braking system activated by a master cylinder is provided including a rotor connected to a vehicle wheel, a bracket having a position fixed with respect to the rotor, and a caliper slidably mounted with respect to the bracket in a plane generally perpendicular to the rotor rotational axis. A first hydraulic cylinder activated by the master cylinder is connected with the caliper. The first hydraulic cylinder has a piston for frictionally engaging the rotor to retrain rotation thereof. A second hydraulic cylinder is positioned between the caliper and the bracket. The second hydraulic cylinder has a piston that is pressurized by a reaction force experienced between the caliper and the bracket when the first hydraulic cylinder is activated. A third hydraulic cylinder is fluidly connected with the second hydraulic cylinder to receive pressure therefrom. The third hydraulic cylinder has a piston to frictionally engage the rotor to retrain rotation thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel and rotor assembly is provided for use with a vehicle having a disc-type brake. The assembly includes a wheel for threaded connection with an axle and a rotor. The rotor has a core section joined to an annular ring section and the core section has apertures aligned for threadably joining the rotor to the wheel. Heat pipes are embedded within said rotor core. The heat pipes provide a heat sink for the annular ring section of the rotor causing a fluid within the heat pipe to vaporize on an end of the heat pipes more adjacent to the annular ring section and to condense on an end of the heat pipe more adjacent to the wheel to transfer heat from the annular ring to the wheel.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system (ABS) solenoid isolation valve integration is provided. When ABS is entered, the ABS supply pump is turned on and the solenoid normally open port is closed to prevent fluid from entering the wheel brake area from either the master cylinder or pump. The normally closed valve is then energized (opened) which releases pressure from the wheel causing a pressure drop across the isolation valve. The above causes the isolation valve to move closing a ball seat valve which isolates the master cylinder (pedal) from the wheel (pump, solenoid, etc). The actual movement of the isolation valve is caused by the pressure generated by the master cylinder.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle drum brake is provided including a brake drum connected to a wheel. A backing plate is connected to the vehicle and at least one brake shoe is connected with the backing plate and is pivotally mounted with respect thereto. A non-rotative nut is mounted for linear motion with respect to the backing plate and is pivotally connected with respect to the brake shoe. A power screw is threadably engaged with the nut. The power screw is also mounted to the backing plate. An electric motor is torsionally connected with the power screw to turn the same to actuate the brakes.

Abstract: An integrated anti-lock braking system (ABS)/traction control (TC) braking system for a vehicle having a fluid activated brake for a wheel is provided the system in one embodiment includes a system controller for signaling the system to an ABS or TC mode, a master cylinder for delivering pressurized fluid to the wheel brake, an actuator with a longitudinal bore having a first stop. A hollow primary piston is slidably mounted within the longitudinal bore biased towards the first stop. The interior of the primary piston is fluidly connected with its exterior. A secondary piston is slidably mounted within the primary piston and movable in one direction to pressurize the wheel brake and movable in an opposite direction to relieve said wheel brake in response to the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic braking system for applying the wheel brakes of an automotive vehicle comprising: a reservoir for holding a hydraulic brake fluid; a pump fluidly connected with the reservoir for pressurizing the fluid; at least one first valve fluidly connected with the pressurized fluid from the pump and the first valve being connected with a modulation sump, the first valve delivering a modulated brake pressure to at least one wheel brake at a ratio of the master cylinder pressure to the wheel pressure so long as the fluid pressure from the pump is above a predetermined value; and a second valve fluidly connected with the wheel brake, the master cylinder, the modulated brake pressure, and with the pump and, whereby the second valve isolates the master cylinder from the wheel brake when the pump pressure is above a predetermined value delivering modulated pressure to the wheel brake and when the pump pressure is below a predetermined value the second valve connects the master cylinder with the wheel brak

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system (ABS) solenoid/isolation valve integration is provided. When ABS is entered, the ABS supply pump is turned on and the solenoid normally open port is closed to prevent fluid from entering the wheel brake area from either the master cylinder or pump. The normally closed valve is then energized (opened) which releases pressure from the wheel causing a pressure drop across the isolation valve. The above causes the isolation valve to move closing a ball seat valve which isolates the master cylinder (pedal) from the wheel (pump, solenoid, etc.). The actual movement of the isolation valve is caused by the pressure generated by the pump.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having a wheel lock control arrangement with isolation valves, solenoid, and brake control valves for the system. In one arrangement, each wheel brake and isolation valve has its own solenoid and control valve. Additionally, the isolation valve is configured in a manner to prevent premature drop out from isolation and to prevent any flow from a master cylinder brake apply pressure circuit to a pump pressure circuit.

Abstract: A torque converter and clutch assembly has a piezoelectric control portion. One piezoelectric device is subjected to the transient torques transmitted to the clutch, and generates a signal in response to the transient torque. Another piezoelectric device is electrically connected with the first piezoelectric device and is expandable in response to the electric signal to initiate clutch disengagement and provide clutch slip to thereby reduce the transmission of transient torque spikes.