Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic system is disclosed comprising a hydraulic fluid reservoir; a pressure force supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a discharge header; a fluid conduit between the discharge header and the reservoir; a back pressure valve operative in the fluid conduit to maintain a desired pressure in the discharge header; and a vehicle braking system having a hydraulically operated boost piston assembly for supplementing a force exerted by a vehicle operator to operate brakes of the vehicle braking system. The system further includes a boost pressure control valve responsive to an input from the vehicle operator for selectively directing pressured hydraulic fluid from the discharge header to the boost piston assembly and venting hydraulic fluid from the boost piston assembly to the reservoir.

Abstract: A control valve for use in a variable assist power steering system of a vehicle having a valve element disposed within a valve chamber formed in a valve housing. The valve element is connected by a coupling to a proportional solenoid which is mounted upon the valve housing The solenoid includes an axially movable armature which is connected by a coupling to the valve element. The coupling transfers axial movement of the solenoid armature to the valve element. The coupling also is operable to minimize the transfer of transverse movement of the solenoid armature to the valve element.

Abstract: A control valve responsive to vehicle speed to vary hydraulic pressure in a vehicle variable assist power steering system. The control valve includes a proportional solenoid which responds to a control signal to vary the pressure difference between the valve inlet and outlet. The flow of hydraulic fluid through the valve generates a momentum force against a solenoid moveable valve element. This momentum force is balanced by an opposing bias spring force such that changes in inlet pressure occur simultaneously with changes in the control signal. The solenoid includes an adjustable air gap which allows calibration of the pressure difference across the valve to match a predetermined solenoid current.

Abstract: A self-adjusting, wear-compensating device for a floating caliper disc brake of the type having a pair of brake pads positioned to engage the disc brake rotor, the device including a rotor and a stator mounted in the caliper housing, the rotary motion of the rotor being converted to linear motion in the stator toward one of the brake pads, a threaded shaft is mounted in a threaded bore in the stator and has one end positioned to engage the brake pad and the other end extending into the rotor, and a one-way clutch is mounted on the other end of the shaft and is operatively connected to the rotor to impart rotary movement to the shaft relative to the stator whenever the rotor rotates more than a predetermined amount to advance the shaft an incremental amount, the clutch is protected from overload damage by a star ring mounted on the shaft in a position to allow the clutch to slip on the shaft.

Abstract: A disc brake having an improved automatic adjustment mechanism is disclosed. The preferred brake includes a rotary actuating assembly for axially translating a push rod which abuttingly urges a pair of friction element assemblies into engagement with a rotatable disc. A nonrotatable element of the actuating assembly threadably engages the push rod, such that when the push rod is rotated, it is axially advanced to decrease the friction element clearance. A clutch mechanism circumscribes the push rod and communicates, by way of a lost motion connection, with a rotatable element of the actuating assembly to effect rotation of the push rod after a predetermined rotation of the rotatable element. Thus, clearance adjustments are made in response to predetermined wear of the friction elements, thereby maintaining brake clearance within predetermined limits.