Abstract: A trailer spring brake valve is provided for a vehicle air braking system. The trailer spring brake valve comprises a number of components arranged to cooperate together to provide type of brake priority based upon trailer weight.

Abstract: A brake controller determines if an amount of regenerative braking needed to achieve a requested deceleration will exceed a driveline capability of a tractor. If it will, the brake controller redistributes some of the requested deceleration to a braking system of a trailer. That way, the requested deceleration can be achieved by the combination of regenerative braking of the tractor and the braking system of the trailer. Other braking mechanism(s) of the tractor can also be used, if needed.

Abstract: A brake control signal amplification system that is designed to assist with the compliance to the FMVSS-121 Safety Standard for an air braked vehicle is described which comprises a trailer control module (TCM) that provides pneumatic signal to a trailer of the vehicle, a tractor protection valve (TPV) that protects a tractor air brake system in the event of a pneumatic disconnection from the trailer, and a pilot relay valve (PRV) coupled between the TCM and the TPV, wherein the PRV amplifies a control signal received from the TCM and delivers an amplified control signal to the to the TPV. The TPV delivers the amplified control signal to a control coupling for a trailer portion of a vehicle and delivers an air supply to a supply coupling for the trailer of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various examples of a controller, method and system for determining positions of a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving, in response to the electrical start signal, a data signal at the communications port which includes a GPS signal and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.

Abstract: Various examples of a controller, method and system for determining positions of a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving, in response to the electrical start signal, a data signal at the communications port which includes a GPS signal and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.

Abstract: A brake control signal amplification system that is designed to assist with the compliance to the FMVSS-121 Safety Standard for an air braked vehicle is described which comprises a trailer control module (TCM) that provides pneumatic signal to a trailer of the vehicle, a tractor protection valve (TPV) that protects a tractor air brake system in the event of a pneumatic disconnection from the trailer, and a pilot relay valve (PRV) coupled between the TCM and the TPV, wherein the PRV amplifies a control signal received from the TCM and delivers an amplified control signal to the to the TPV. The TPV delivers the amplified control signal to a control coupling for a trailer portion of a vehicle and delivers an air supply to a supply coupling for the trailer of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various examples of a controller, method and system for monitoring a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical sync signal and an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving a data signal at the communications port which includes a time value and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle in response to the electrical start signal. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tractor controller for monitoring trailer brake applications is disclosed. The control logic of the tractor control is capable of receiving a signal indicative of a trailer brake application; receiving a signal indicative of a foot brake application; totaling a number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application for a predetermined time period; and totaling a number of signals indicative of a foot brake application for the predetermined time period. The control logic then compares the total number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application with the total number of signals indicative of a foot brake application. The control logic records a flag in response to the total number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application being greater than the total number of signals indicative of a foot brake application.

Abstract: Various examples of a controller, method and system for monitoring a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical sync signal and an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving a data signal at the communications port which includes a time value and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle in response to the electrical start signal. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a tractor controller for monitoring trailer brake applications is disclosed. The control logic of the tractor control is capable of receiving a signal indicative of a trailer brake application; receiving a signal indicative of a foot brake application; totaling a number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application for a predetermined time period; and totaling a number of signals indicative of a foot brake application for the predetermined time period. The control logic then compares the total number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application with the total number of signals indicative of a foot brake application. The control logic records a flag in response to the total number of signals indicative of a trailer brake application being greater than the total number of signals indicative of a foot brake application.

Abstract: Various examples of a controller, method and system for monitoring a tractor-trailer vehicle train are disclosed. In one example a tractor controller is manually-initiated or a user-initiated tractor controller and includes an electrical control port for receiving an electrical sync signal and an electrical start signal, and a communications port for receiving data. A processing unit of the tractor controller includes control logic and is in communication with the electrical control port. The control logic is capable of receiving a data signal at the communications port which includes a time value and a unique identification which corresponds to the towed vehicle in response to the electrical start signal. At a predetermined response time, the tractor controller determines the position of the towed vehicle in the tractor-trailer vehicle train based on the data received from the towed vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an air dryer system having first and second air dryers configured to receive compressed air from a compressor, such as a compressor of a vehicle, including operating the first and second air dryers in a first mode corresponding to a high flow mode wherein the first and second air dryers are connected in parallel with the air compressor, monitoring a condition related to a low compressor output state, and operating the first and second air dryers in a second mode corresponding to a continuous flow mode when the low compressor output state is detected.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an air dryer system having first and second air dryers configured to receive compressed air from a compressor, such as a compressor of a vehicle, including operating the first and second air dryers in a first mode corresponding to a high flow mode wherein the first and second air dryers are connected in parallel with the air compressor, monitoring a condition related to a low compressor output state, and operating the first and second air dryers in a second mode corresponding to a continuous flow mode when the low compressor output state is detected.

Abstract: A brake system and related components including a metering device are configured to regulate a control signal received from a brake control device such that a control valve delays the supply of a level of requested braking pressure for a prescribed amount of time. The metering device can be an inversion valve and orificed check valve in a control circuit adapted to allow relatively unrestricted flow until a threshold pressure is reached, after which pressure the inversion valve closes and the flow is metered through an orifice. This has the effect of allowing rapid brake actuation to a first level, and then slowing further application of the brake until full requested braking is achieved. An electronic control unit can also be configured to regulate a control signal to delay development of the requested brake pressure.

Abstract: A brake system and related components including a metering device are configured to regulate a control signal received from a brake control device such that a control valve delays the supply of a level of requested braking pressure for a prescribed amount of time. The metering device can be an inversion valve and orificed check valve in a control circuit adapted to allow relatively unrestricted flow until a threshold pressure is reached, after which pressure the inversion valve closes and the flow is metered through an orifice. This has the effect of allowing rapid brake actuation to a first level, and then slowing further application of the brake until full requested braking is achieved. An electronic control unit can also be configured to regulate a control signal to delay development of the requested brake pressure.

Abstract: A brake system and related components including a metering device are configured to regulate a control signal received from a brake control device such that a control valve delays the supply of a level of requested braking pressure for a prescribed amount of time. The metering device can be an inversion valve and orificed check valve in a control circuit adapted to allow relatively unrestricted flow until a threshold pressure is reached, after which pressure the inversion valve closes and the flow is metered through an orifice. This has the effect of allowing rapid brake actuation to a first level, and then slowing further application of the brake until full requested braking is achieved. An electronic control unit can also be configured to regulate a control signal to delay development of the requested brake pressure.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system for a heavy duty vehicle is provided. The work brake system is operably dependent on a predetermined high trip brake system pressure and a predetermined reset brake system pressure. Upon actuation of the work brake system, when brake system pressure is greater than the predetermined high trip pressure, the work brake system is configured to deliver a pneumatic control signal to the second control valve to activate the service brake assembly. When brake system pressure is less than the predetermined high trip pressure, the work brake system is configured to deliver a pneumatic spring brake signal to the first control valve to activate the spring brake assembly and remove the pneumatic control signal to the second control valve. The delivery of the pneumatic control signal to the second control valve via the work brake system is prevented until brake system pressure exceeds the predetermined reset pressure.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir of pressurized air and associated leveling valve that uses a relay valve to improve refill times when the vehicle returns from a dump mode operation to normal operation. The process reduces pressure in one or more of the axles when maneuvering the vehicle at predetermined slow speeds and maintaining that first predetermined pressure while the other axle(s) is at a greater pressure than the first axle. By preventing complete exhaustion of pressure from the suspension system, restoring air pressure is attained more quickly. Also, use of a relay valve enables higher flow rates to improve the refill time of the pneumatic suspension system after the dump operation.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir of pressurized air and associated leveling valve that uses a relay valve to improve refill times when the vehicle returns from a dump mode operation to normal operation. The process reduces pressure in one or more of the axles when maneuvering the vehicle at predetermined slow speeds and maintaining that first predetermined pressure while the other axle(s) is at a greater pressure than the first axle. By preventing complete exhaustion of pressure from the suspension system, restoring air pressure is attained more quickly. Also, use of a relay valve enables higher flow rates to improve the refill time of the pneumatic suspension system after the dump operation.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir of pressurized air and associated leveling valve that uses a relay valve to improve refill times when the vehicle returns from a dump mode operation to normal operation. The process reduces pressure in one or more of the axles when maneuvering the vehicle at predetermined slow speeds and maintaining that first predetermined pressure while the other axle(s) is at a greater pressure than the first axle. By preventing complete exhaustion of pressure from the suspension system, restoring air pressure is attained more quickly. Also, use of a relay valve enables higher flow rates to improve the refill time of the pneumatic suspension system after the dump operation.