Abstract: A vehicle air brake system is presented with an improved service work brake arrangement. The arrangement may provide a service work brake function or both a service work brake function and a parking brake function for the vehicle. The arrangement may provide an improved service work brake arrangement disposed within a housing for reducing the number of components and plumbing required to achieve this functionality versus prior known systems. The arrangement may utilize a pneumatic latching valve to deliver pressurized air for applying a vehicle's service brakes. The pneumatic latching valve opens upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from an electronically controlled valve and closes upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from another source. In addition, a controller and control logic may be provided for controlling the arrangement.

Abstract: Electronic elements (44, 44?, 44?) having an active device region (46) and bonding pad (BP) region (60) on a common substrate (45) desirably include a dielectric region underlying the BP (35) to reduce the parasitic impedance of the BP (35) and its interconnection (41) as the electronic elements (44, 44?, 44?) are scaled to higher power and/or operating frequency. Mechanical stress created by plain (e.g., oxide only) dielectric regions (36?) can adversely affect performance, manufacturing yield, pad-to-device proximity and occupied area. This can be avoided by providing a composite dielectric region (62, 62?, 62?) having electrically isolated inclusions (65, 65?, 65?) of a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) less than that of the dielectric material (78, 78?, 78?) in which they are embedded and/or closer to the substrate (45) TEC. For silicon substrates (45), poly or amorphous silicon is suitable for the inclusions (65, 65?, 65?) and silicon oxide for the dielectric material (78, 78?, 78?).

Abstract: Electronic elements (44, 44?, 44?) having an active device region (46) and integrated passive device (IPD) region (60) on a common substrate (45) preferably include a composite dielectric region (62, 62?, 62?) in the IPD region underlying the IPD (35) to reduce electromagnetic (E-M) (33) coupling to the substrate (45). Mechanical stress created by plain dielectric regions (36?) and its deleterious affect on performance, manufacturing yield and occupied area may be avoided by providing electrically isolated inclusions (65, 65?, 65?) in the composite dielectric region (62, 62?, 62?) of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) less than that of the dielectric material (78, 78?, 78?) in the composite dielectric region (62, 62?, 62?). For silicon substrates (45), non-single crystal silicon is suitable for the inclusions (65, 65?, 65?) and silicon oxide for the dielectric material (78, 78?, 78?).

Abstract: Fittings are provided for use with different types of tubing. One such fitting includes a gripping member having a sharp tube indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and the tube. Another such fitting includes a tube gripping member having a body indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and a fitting body.

Abstract: A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition.

Abstract: A vehicle air brake system is presented with an improved service work brake arrangement. The arrangement may provide a service work brake function or both a service work brake function and a parking brake function for the vehicle. The arrangement may provide an improved service work brake arrangement disposed within a housing for reducing the number of components and plumbing required to achieve this functionality versus prior known systems. The arrangement may utilizes a pneumatic latching valve to deliver pressurized air for applying a vehicle's service brakes. The pneumatic latching valve opens upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from an electronically controlled valve and closes upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from another source. In addition, a controller and control logic may be provided for controlling the arrangement.

Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a first coupling member and a second coupling member joined with the first coupling member. A tube gripping device is disposed between the first coupling member and the second coupling member such that assembly of the first coupling member with said second coupling member to a pulled-up condition causes the tube gripping device to be plastically deformed and swaged into the tube to grip and seal the tube. The first coupling member engages an internal surface of the second coupling member to provide an indication of completed pull-up.

Abstract: A fitting is provided that may optionally be pulled-up to its final assembled condition by torque rather than by turns. At least one fitting component includes a structure that facilitates pull-up by torque. The structure may take a wide variety of different forms. In one embodiment, at least one of the external surface of the first threaded fitting component (112) and the outer position of the nut (116) includes an incline (145) in an engagement area.

Abstract: An operator for an air flow control device includes a button mounted on a plunger. The button is indexable at forty-five degree increments on the plunger. The button has a non-circular label area that is adapted to receive a non-circular label for the operator so as to present either a diamond shape or an octagon shape to a viewer of the button. The button can have either a snap fit or a threaded connection to the plunger.

Abstract: A brake valve actuator (BVA) of a vehicle is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) to provide automatic traction control (ATC), roll stability (RS) and yaw stability (YS) functions for the vehicle, by actuating the dual brake valve without driver intervention. The ATC function is provided by making braking pressure available at the driven wheels only of the vehicle. This may be done by selectively controlling the modulators for the driven wheels and the non-driven wheels of the vehicle. The ATC function in this manner can be provided for a straight truck or bus, or for a tractor and trailer, without the need for an ATC solenoid. In another embodiment, a yaw control function is provided, without the need for ATC solenoids or for pressure sensors in the delivery lines. In yet another embodiment, yaw control benefits are provided with an additional sensor.

Abstract: The electro-pneumatic latching valve system having an electrical switch unit that further includes an “apply” or “activate” switch, a “release” or “deactivate” switch, and a power supply. A first solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the activate switch and a second solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the deactivate switch. A pneumatic latching valve is in pneumatic communication with the first and second solenoid valves and a source of pressurized control and supply air is in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic latching valve and the solenoid valves. A terminal device, e.g., a spring brake, is in pneumatic communication with the latching valve, and the device is released or applied in response to pressurized supply air delivered to the device through the pneumatic latching valve in response to pneumatic control signals delivered to the pneumatic latching valve from the solenoid valves.

Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a female threaded member that cooperates with a male threaded member. The female member includes a tube gripping device in the form of a gripping ring or ferrule that is attached to the female member by a frangible web. Upon a partial pull-up the ferrule engages a camming surface on the male threaded member and breaks off or separates from the female threaded member to become a separate piece so that the fitting then functions as a single ferrule tube fitting. Additional features include a steep camming angle on the camming surface to cause the ferrule to grip the tube end with a bite-type action and to form a primary seal between the camming surface and a front end of the separated ferrule. The ferrule front end, and optionally the entire female threaded member including the initially integral tube gripping device, are hardened to be at least about 3.3 times harder than the material of the tube end.

Abstract: The electro-pneumatic latching valve system having an electrical switch unit that further includes an “apply” or “activate” switch, a “release” or “deactivate” switch, and a power supply. A first solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the activate switch and a second solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the deactivate switch. A pneumatic latching valve is in pneumatic communication with the first and second solenoid valves and a source of pressurized control and supply air is in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic latching valve and the solenoid valves. A terminal device, e.g., a spring brake, is in pneumatic communication with the latching valve, and the device is released or applied in response to pressurized supply air delivered to the device through the pneumatic latching valve in response to pneumatic control signals delivered to the pneumatic latching valve from the solenoid valves.

Abstract: Three elements of a fluid flow control device—switch, button, label—are designed to minimize the possibility of two labeled buttons being swapped on their switches. If the parts are assembled incorrectly or mislabeled, or if the buttons are thereafter swapped on the switches, it will be very obvious; then, if one attempts to fix such a problem, it can only be fixed by placing the buttons on the correct switches, and it can not be fixed by leaving the buttons on the wrong switches.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a control member for a valve for controlling a vehicle brake function, and an electrically operable lockout for the control member. An electronic reader associated with the lockout is operable in response to communication with a personal data device to control operation of the lockout. The reader may be used to effect credential verification of a vehicle driver and enable other functions.

Abstract: A fitting arrangement with an adapter for use in a fitting that uses a fitting body and nut of certain commonly used dimensions as described above, while retaining the gripping capability. The adapter is a ring that seals effectively against the body, while presenting a less shallow camming mouth for engagement by a ferrule. This combination of parts enables effective tube grip, fluid seal, and vibration protection.

Abstract: An operator for an air flow control device includes a button mounted on a plunger. The button is indexable at forty-five degree increments on the plunger. The button has a non-circular label area that is adapted to receive a non-circular label for the operator so as to present either a diamond shape or an octagon shape to a viewer of the button. The button can have either a snap fit or a threaded connection to the plunger.

Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a female threaded member that cooperates with a male threaded member. The female member includes a tube gripping device in the form of a gripping ring or ferrule that is attached to the female member by a fungible web. Upon a partial pull-up the female engages a camming surface on the male threaded member and breaks off or separates from the female threaded member to become a separate piece so that the fitting then functions as a single ferrule tube fitting. Additional features include a steep camming angle on the camming surface to cause the ferrule to grip the tube end with a bite-type action and to form a primary seal between the camming surface and a front end of the separated ferrule. The ferrule front end, and optionally the entire female threaded member including the initially integral tube gripping device, are hardened to be at least about 3.3 times harder than the material of the tube end.

Abstract: A tube fitting for a tube end has a female threaded member that cooperates with a male threaded member. The female member includes a tube gripping device in the form of a gripping ring or ferrule that is attached to the female member by a frangible web. Upon a partial pull-up the ferrule engages a camming surface on the male threaded member and breaks off or separates from the female threaded member to become a separate piece so that the fitting then functions as a single ferrule tube fitting. Additional features include a steep camming angle on the camming surface to cause the ferrule to grip the tube end with a bite-type action and to form a primary seal between the camming surface and a front end of the separated ferrule. The ferrule front end, and optionally the entire female threaded member including the initially integral tube gripping device, are hardened to have a hardness ratio that is at least about 3.3 times the hardness of the material of the tube end on the Vickers scale.

Abstract: The electro-pneumatic latching valve system having an electrical switch unit that further includes an “apply” or “activate” switch, a “release” or “deactivate” switch, and a power supply. A first solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the activate switch and a second solenoid valve is in electrical communication with the deactivate switch. A pneumatic latching valve is in pneumatic communication with the first and second solenoid valves and a source of pressurized control and supply air is in pneumatic communication with the pneumatic latching valve and the solenoid valves. A terminal device, e.g., a spring brake, is in pneumatic communication with the latching valve, and the device is released or applied in response to pressurized supply air delivered to the device through the pneumatic latching valve in response to pneumatic control signals delivered to the pneumatic latching valve from the solenoid valves.