Abstract: A braking system includes a brake booster with a power piston assembly structure defining a guide bore which possesses an open end, the guide bore defining a bore axis. A pivot structure is positioned in the guide bore and including (i) a body having an interior surface that defines a cavity, and (ii) a plurality of extensions protruding inwardly from the interior surface. A pedal rod includes (i) a ball-shaped distal end portion is retained in the cavity by the plurality of extension members, and (ii) a shaft extending from the ball-shaped distal end portion. A retainer is secured to the power piston assembly structure so as to prevent advancement of the pivot structure through the open end of the power piston assembly structure. The retainer defines a frusto-conical passageway through which the shaft extends enabling the shaft to pivot.

Abstract: A brake booster includes a housing configured for mounting to the master cylinder of a braking system. The housing defines a bore for receiving a power piston and an end cap, with a return spring disposed between the head of the piston and end cap. The housing and end cap define a recess and a rib sized to be received within the rib but configured for an interference fit between the end cap and housing outside the recess. The interference fit is calibrated to require a force to push the end cap into the bore that exceeds the force generated by the return spring when it is compressed between the end cap and the piston head. The recess and rib at least temporarily retains the spring within the bore until the brake booster is mounted to the master cylinder.

Abstract: A braking system includes a brake booster with a power piston assembly structure defining a guide bore which possesses an open end, the guide bore defining a bore axis. A pivot structure is positioned in the guide bore and including (i) a body having an interior surface that defines a cavity, and (ii) a plurality of extensions protruding inwardly from the interior surface. A pedal rod includes (i) a ball-shaped distal end portion is retained in the cavity by the plurality of extension members, and (ii) a shaft extending from the ball-shaped distal end portion. A retainer is secured to the power piston assembly structure so as to prevent advancement of the pivot structure through the open end of the power piston assembly structure. The retainer defines a frusto-conical passageway through which the shaft extends enabling the shaft to pivot.

Abstract: A brake booster includes a housing configured for mounting to the master cylinder of a braking system. The housing defines a bore for receiving a power piston and an end cap, with a return spring disposed between the head of the piston and end cap. The housing and end cap define a recess and a rib sized to be received within the rib but configured for an interference fit between the end cap and housing outside the recess. The interference fit is calibrated to require a force to push the end cap into the bore that exceeds the force generated by the return spring when it is compressed between the end cap and the piston head. The recess and rib at least temporarily retains the spring within the bore until the brake booster is mounted to the master cylinder.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid between a working chamber and an outlet chamber that passes between a seal and a seat surrounding an orifice to the outlet chamber. Fluid flowing through the orifice produces a first turbulence produces a broad band sound that is within an acceptable audible level. An actuation force applied to an input rod after overcoming a force of a return spring moves the seal toward the seat to restrict the flow of fluid from the working chamber through the orifice. The restriction in the flow of fluid through the orifice produces a second turbulence in the fluid that is communicated to the outlet chamber. The seal has an annular ring that extends into the orifice to divert the flow of fluid having the second turbulence away from the return spring to attenuate the development of a reaction in the return spring that would significantly add to the broad band sound.

Abstract: A back-up power assisted braking system substitutes an intermittently actuated secondary source of pressurized hydraulic fluid such as a traction control/anti-lock pump and motor (41) for the normal braking power assist upon the detection of a failure in the primary power assisted braking system. A failure may be detected in responsive to sensing simultaneous brake pedal (23) displacement and a lack of fluid flow for providing an abnormality signal. Also, a failure may be detected by sensing a predetermined difference between the commanded braking force (45) and the actual braking forces (38, 49). There is a pressure transducer (45) which provides an indication of brake pedal commanded braking force and a hydraulic circuit (43, 53 or 55, 51) interconnecting the secondary source outlet, the individual wheel brake actuators (14) and secondary source inlet.

Abstract: The ball-and-socket assembly (10) comprises a rod (12) having a ball head (14) at one end thereof, the ball head (14) having a diametrical groove (16) with a flexible member (30) disposed therein and extending radially beyond the outer surface (14A) of the ball head (14). A body (44) includes a bore (46) having a flared entrance wall (50) communicating with an open end (48) of the bore (46), the flared entrance wall (50) extending axially inwardly to a radial shoulder (52) defined between end of the flared entrance wall (50) and a large diameter portion (54) of the bore (46), a small diameter portion (58) of the bore (46) being located axially inwardly of the bore (46) relative to the large diameter portion (54), and a frustoconical wall (56) extending between the small and large diameter portions (54, 58).

Abstract: A fluid power apparatus (10) includes a power piston (40) dividing a working chamber (18) from a first chamber (16), the power piston (40) biased toward a rest position by a spring (17) and the piston (40) displaced by means of restricting fluid flow between the working chamber (18) and first chamber (16). In order to keep contaminants from entering the first chamber (16), a collapsible filter (80) is disposed about a piston rod (13) of the power pistion (40), the filter (80) having at an end cap (88) with a central opening (91) through which extends the piston rod (13) and at an opposite end member (98) a flange (95) which serves as a seat (97) for the spring (17). The end member (98) seats sealingly against the power piston (40) while the end cap (88) has a sealing mechanism (92) about the periphery of the central opening (91) to provide sealing between the end cap (88) and input rod (13).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved hydraulic booster which allows transition from a manual braking mode to a power assist braking mode without the control called for in the manual mode immediately applied when the power assist function begins to operate. This is accomplished by opening a path through a chamber in the gain valve and a bypass passage to prevent a sudden pressure buildup in the hydraulic booster at the gain valve when the hydraulic booster is operated in a manual mode and the fluid pumping means is suddenly started.

Abstract: A piston overtravel indicator for indicating overtravel of a piston from a rest position adjacent one end of a cylinder to working positions displaced from the rest position toward the other end of the cylinder. The indicator includes an elongated indicator rod slidably extending through a hole in the other end of the cylinder and having an inner rod end located within the cylinder adjacent the working positions of the piston. Overtravel of the piston beyond working positions causes engagement of same with the inner rod end for moving the rod outwardly through the hole. The indicator rod has a circumferential groove adjacent the inner end thereof for cooperation with a yieldable abutment extending into the hole for preventing complete outward displacement of the indicator rod through the hole.

Abstract: An overtravel indicator for a piston received in a cylinder having an end wall toward which the piston moves includes an elongated indicator rod slidably mounted through a dielectric bushing in the end wall. A conductive garter spring is compressed between the indicator rod and a groove in the cylinder end wall. An electric circuit including an electrically operated indicator is connected for completion through the indicator rod, end wall and garter spring. In an inward armed position of the indicator rod, dielectric material carried by the rod is interposed between the rod and garter spring for opening the electric circuit. In an outward operated position of the rod, a conductive surface on the rod engages the garter spring to complete the circuit and operate the indicator.

Abstract: An overtravel indicator for a piston received in a cylinder having an end wall toward which the piston moves includes an elongated indicator rod slidably extending through the end wall. The rod has an armed position extending inwardly of the end wall and an operated position extending outwardly of the end wall. An electrically operated indicator is positioned in a circuit connected for completion through the indicator rod and end wall when the rod is in its operated position. In the armed position of the rod, dielectric material surrounds that portion of the rod extending through the end wall for opening the electric circuit. In the operated position of the rod, its outer surface engages the end wall for completing the electric circuit.