Abstract: A method for monitoring a wheel system by comparing a wheel end temperature to a wheel end temperature threshold; generating a brake monitoring signal when at least one brake monitoring condition has occurred; and generating a wheel monitoring signal if a brake monitoring signal is generated when the wheel end temperature is greater than the wheel end temperature threshold. The brake monitoring conditions may include (i) a brake supply pressure is less than a brake supply pressure threshold; (ii) a brake control pressure is greater than a first brake control pressure threshold and a stop lamp power signal is not present; and/or (iii) the stop lamp power signal is present and the brake control pressure is not greater than a second brake control pressure threshold. A brake monitoring system configured to monitor a wheel system.

Abstract: A carrier for a planetary gear train includes a hub disposed about an axis of rotation, the hub having an external cylindrical surface including a plurality of splines extending along a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction being parallel to the axis of rotation; and a deck extending away from the hub along a radial direction, the radial direction being transverse to the longitudinal direction. The deck defining a plurality of holes therethrough, each hole of the plurality of holes being configured to receive an axle of a planet gear of the plurality of planet gears, the hub being disposed between the plurality of holes and the axis of rotation along the radial direction. The splines have a value of a parameter (P) that is not less than 2.5 and not greater than 6.0.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly including a pressure plate presenting an opening, a push rod that is coupled to the pressure plate, a diaphragm that is coupled to the pressure plate, and a retainer that engages the push rod. The push rod has an outer surface and at least one protrusion extending outward from the outer surface. The retainer engages the protrusion such that at least a portion of the diaphragm is positioned between the pressure plate and the retainer.

Abstract: A carrier for a planetary gear train includes a hub disposed about an axis of rotation, the hub having an external cylindrical surface including a plurality of splines extending along a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction being parallel to the axis of rotation; and a deck extending away from the hub along a radial direction, the radial direction being transverse to the longitudinal direction. The deck defining a plurality of holes therethrough, each hole of the plurality of holes being configured to receive an axle of a planet gear of the plurality of planet gears, the hub being disposed between the plurality of holes and the axis of rotation along the radial direction. The splines have a value of a parameter (P) that is not less than 2.5 and not greater than 6.0.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly including a pressure plate presenting an opening, a push rod that is coupled to the pressure plate, a diaphragm that is coupled to the pressure plate, and a retainer that engages the push rod. The push rod has an outer surface and at least one protrusion extending outward from the outer surface. The retainer engages the protrusion such that at least a portion of the diaphragm is positioned between the pressure plate and the retainer.

Abstract: An air dryer assembly with manifold system provides increased drying capacity for pressurized air systems, such as vehicle braking systems. A manifold connected to the supply ports of two adjacent air dryers allows parallel flow of air through the separate air dryers. An identical manifold connects to the delivery ports of the two air dryers to combine the clean, dry air from the delivery ports. Similar manifolds connect the control and purge ports of the dryers to allow simultaneous regeneration of the desiccant canisters. An assembly combining two air dryers, two pretreatment units, and manifolds connecting the supply, delivery, control, and purge ports of two air dryers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air dryer assembly with manifold system provides increased drying capacity for pressurized air systems, such as vehicle braking systems. A manifold connected to the supply ports of two adjacent air dryers allows parallel flow of air through the separate air dryers. An identical manifold connects to the delivery ports of the two air dryers to combine the clean, dry air from the delivery ports. Similar manifolds connect the control and purge ports of the dryers to allow simultaneous regeneration of the desiccant canisters. An assembly combining two air dryers, two pretreatment units, and manifolds connecting the supply, delivery, control, and purge ports of two air dryers is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air dryer with a rotor and desiccant positioned within an interior chamber of the rotor. The desiccant is positioned within the interior chamber of the rotor between the inlet and the outlet. The desiccant is configured to adsorb at least some of the water contained within air flowing from an inlet to an outlet of the rotor. As the rotor is rotated at a regeneration speed at least some of the water adsorbed by the desiccant moves to the outer surface of the desiccant and at least some of the water is separated from the outer surface of the desiccant. The rotor directs water separated from the outer surface of the desiccant to at least one opening in the rotor. A method for drying air by sending the air through desiccant and rotating the desiccant at a regeneration speed to separate water from the desiccant.

Abstract: An air dryer cartridge having an outer shell, an inner shell positioned within the outer shell, and a check valve positioned at least partially between the inner and outer shells. The inner and outer shells each have an inlet and an outlet. The outer shell is preferably operable to removably engage an air dryer. The check valve is operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through the outlet of the inner shell. Preferably, the check valve also seals between portions of the inner and outer shells and/or is operable to sealingly engage an air dryer.

Abstract: An air dryer cartridge having an outer shell, an inner shell positioned within the outer shell, and a check valve positioned at least partially between the inner and outer shells. The inner and outer shells each have an inlet and an outlet. The outer shell is preferably operable to removably engage an air dryer. The check valve is operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through the outlet of the inner shell. Preferably, the check valve also seals between portions of the inner and outer shells and/or is operable to sealingly engage an air dryer.

Abstract: A drive through crankshaft assembly which selectively provides rotational power to a vehicle accessory while continuously providing rotational power to a second vehicle accessory. Rotational power is selectively provided using a cone clutch assembly that is modular. The cone clutch assembly provides power to the first vehicle accessory when it is in an engaged state. The first vehicle accessory is turned off by putting the cone clutch assembly into a disengaged state using a clutch control system.

Abstract: A drive through crankshaft assembly which selectively provides rotational power to a vehicle accessory while continuously providing rotational power to a second vehicle accessory. Rotational power is selectively provided using a cone clutch assembly that is modular. The cone clutch assembly provides power to the first vehicle accessory when it is in an engaged state. The first vehicle accessory is turned off by putting the cone clutch assembly into a disengaged state using a clutch control system.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed generally comprising first and second valve plates mounted between the housing for a pump mechanism and a cover, the first plate having flexing flaps corresponding to apertures in the second plate, and the second plate having flexing flaps corresponding to apertures in the first plate. The flexing flaps and apertures create inlet and outlet valves for fluid being received into and discharged from the pump mechanism. In some embodiments, the valves facilitate the flow of air received and discharged through inlet and outlet ports in a compressor head. In some embodiments, the valves facilitate the flow of air received from an inlet port in a compressor housing.

Abstract: A compressor is disclosed generally comprising a cylinder head mounted to a cylinder block having a cooling chamber and a piston channel via a bolt. A piston is disposed in the piston channel and has a contact portion that contacts the channel wall, which is integrally formed with the cylinder block, as it slides within the channel. The bolt and the cooling chamber each extend from at least as high as the highest contact point between the contact portion of the piston and the channel wall to at least as low as the lowest contact point between the contact portion of the piston and the channel wall. In certain embodiments, the cooling chamber is located between the bolt and the piston channel. In some embodiments, a crankcase is integrally formed with the cylinder block.

Abstract: A compressor is disclosed generally comprising a cylinder block at least partially enclosing a compression chamber, a swash plate housing mounted adjacent the cylinder block, the swash plate housing at least partially enclosing a swash plate chamber, an inlet port in the swash plate housing, and a passageway connecting the swash plate chamber and compression chamber. In certain embodiments, the passageway comprises a fluid channel in the cylinder block. In some embodiments, at least one bearing is disposed in the swash plate chamber such that air entering through the inlet port flows over the bearing before flowing to the compression chamber.

Abstract: A swash plate containment assembly for a compressor is disclosed generally comprising a housing, a drive shaft, a swash plate mounted on the drive shaft, and a gimbal arm connected to the housing and swash plate via rotatable joints. In certain embodiments, the joints are located approximately ninety degrees from each other. In some embodiments, the joints comprise a roller bearing and journal coupled thereto.

Abstract: A compressor is disclosed generally comprising a cylinder block at least partially enclosing a compression chamber, a swash plate housing mounted adjacent the cylinder block, the swash plate housing at least partially enclosing a swash plate chamber, an inlet port in the swash plate housing, and a passageway connecting the swash plate chamber and compression chamber. In certain embodiments, the passageway comprises a fluid channel in the cylinder block. In some embodiments, at least one bearing is disposed in the swash plate chamber such that air entering through the inlet port flows over the bearing before flowing to the compression chamber.

Abstract: A swash plate containment assembly for a compressor is disclosed generally comprising a housing, a drive shaft, a swash plate mounted on the drive shaft, and a gimbal arm connected to the housing and swash plate via rotatable joints. In certain embodiments, the joints are located approximately ninety degrees from each other. In some embodiments, the joints comprise a roller bearing and journal coupled thereto.

Abstract: An axial piston compressor produces air supplied to an air system of a vehicle, typically a heavy duty truck through a plurality of pistons held within a stationary block, and the movement of the pistons is predicated through the control of a pivotal swash plate. The pistons are idle in a neutral position of the swash plate, wherein a pressure above the pistons in the cylinder block counterbalances a thrust generated by an actuator upon the plate positioned in a plane extending perpendicular to a drive shaft. The plate oscillates in response to a pressure drop above the pistons causing the actuator to expand toward the plate and exert a thrust exceeding the lowered pressure above the pistons and enabling the swash plate to provide the pistons with reciprocal motion.

Abstract: An axial piston compressor produces air supplied to an air system of a vehicle, typically a heavy duty truck through a plurality of pistons held within a stationary block, and the movement of the pistons is predicated through the control of a pivotal swash plate. The pistons are idle in a neutral position of the swash plate, wherein a pressure above the pistons in the cylinder block counterbalances a thrust generated by an actuator upon the plate positioned in a plane extending perpendicular to a drive shaft. The plate oscillates in response to a pressure drop above the pistons causing the actuator to expand toward the plate and exert a thrust exceeding the lowered pressure above the pistons and enabling the swash plate to provide the pistons with reciprocal motion.