Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.

Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.

Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.

Abstract: A controller comprises an electronic communication line configured to receive a system brake request control signal representing a requested system brake application and an identified urgency.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system for a vehicle combination includes a first brake axle including a first actuatable brake, a second brake axle including a second actuatable brake, a third brake axle including a third actuatable brake, a first valve controlling actuation of the first actuatable brake and actuation of the second actuatable brake, and a second valve controlling actuation of the second actuatable brake and actuation of the third actuatable brake.

Abstract: A valve system includes an isolation check valve delivering pneumatic fluid as a supply pressure, a double-check valve adapted to deliver a braking demand control signal of the pneumatic fluid based on a higher of a first braking demand in a first pneumatic braking circuit and a second braking demand in a second pneumatic braking circuit, and a control module. The control module is adapted to receive the supply pressure as a control module supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, receive a control module control pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the braking demand control signal, and deliver a control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the control module supply pressure and the control module control pressure. A park control module selectively transmits the pneumatic fluid at the supply pressure based on a park brake control signal.

Abstract: A controller comprises an electronic communication line configured to receive a system brake request control signal representing a requested system brake application and an identified urgency.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.

Abstract: A valve system includes an isolation check valve delivering pneumatic fluid as a supply pressure, a double-check valve adapted to deliver a braking demand control signal of the pneumatic fluid based on a higher of a first braking demand in a first pneumatic braking circuit and a second braking demand in a second pneumatic braking circuit, and a control module. The control module is adapted to receive the supply pressure as a control module supply pressure of the pneumatic fluid, receive a control module control pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the braking demand control signal, and deliver a control module delivery pressure of the pneumatic fluid based on the control module supply pressure and the control module control pressure. A tractor protection module delivers the pneumatic fluid at the control module delivery pressure based on a trailer park brake pressure of the pneumatic fluid.

Abstract: A controller on a tractor portion of an articulated vehicle includes an electrical input port adapted to receive an electrical input signal based on a command to unpark a trailer portion of the articulated vehicle and an electronic processor adapted to: receive the electrical input signal from the electrical input port; identify, based on the electrical input signal, when the command to unpark the trailer is received at the electrical input port; and based on the command to unpark the trailer, transmit an electrical output signal to an electrical output port for causing supplemental compressed air to be communicated from the tractor to the trailer for filling an air tank on the trailer using a quick-fill mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for determining the braking status of trailers and dollies in a multi-trailer vehicle train. A vehicle controller receives inputs from the vehicle to determine an estimate of the total vehicle mass from the dynamic response of the vehicle to an input such as application of engine torque, and to determine an estimate of the loads of the vehicle based on information provided from trailers and dollies communicating with the vehicle controller. A plausibility analysis is conducted to determine whether the estimates are within a tolerance range indicative of whether all of the trailers and dollies are communicating with the vehicle controller. If the vehicle controller determines that not all of the trailer and dolly anti-lock braking and/or stability control systems are available, the vehicle controller may in subsequent braking events command trailer and dolly brake application at a reduced level intended to avoid trailer and dolly wheel skidding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for determining the braking status of trailers and dollies in a multi-trailer vehicle train. A vehicle controller receives inputs from the vehicle to determine an estimate of the total vehicle mass from the dynamic response of the vehicle to an input such as application of engine torque, and to determine an estimate of the loads of the vehicle based on information provided from trailers and dollies communicating with the vehicle controller. A plausibility analysis is conducted to determine whether the estimates are within a tolerance range indicative of whether all of the trailers and dollies are communicating with the vehicle controller. If the vehicle controller determines that not all of the trailer and dolly anti-lock braking and/or stability control systems are available, the vehicle controller may in subsequent braking events command trailer and dolly brake application at a reduced level intended to avoid trailer and dolly wheel skidding.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. A controller deceleration command input receives a deceleration command signal which is compared against predetermined threshold deceleration rate value or against a current deceleration value being executed by the combination vehicle and, based on a result of the comparisons, either the enhanced or the non-enhanced braking modes are implemented by the controller.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.

Abstract: A braking controller and method in a towing vehicle towing one or more towed vehicles as a combination vehicle provides brake control of the one or more towed vehicles based on a level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle. A non-enhanced braking mode applies a first level of braking force to the towed vehicles in a predetermined reduced proportion relative to the level of braking force applied to the towing vehicle, and an enhanced braking mode applies a second level of braking force to the towed vehicles greater than the first level of braking force. The enhanced braking mode strategy is used unless trailer capability information reported by one or more the trailers fails to match against expected trailer capability information.

Abstract: A valve module is provided for enabling a vehicle to control an autonomous event of the vehicle. The valve module comprises a relay valve, a first solenoid valve, and a second solenoid valve. A first control pressure can be delivered through the first solenoid valve and applied to a control port of the relay valve. In one embodiment, a second control pressure can be delivered through the second solenoid valve and combined with the first control pressure. The combined first and second control pressures are applied to the control port of the relay valve. In another embodiment, a second control pressure can be delivered through the second solenoid valve only when no first control pressure is delivered through the first solenoid valve.