Abstract: A connector assembly (10) is provided including a first connector (12) and a second connector (14) configured to mateably engage the first connector (12). The first connector (12) includes a housing (16), a conductor assembly (18) positioned within the housing and projecting from housing, and a resilient seal member (30) enclosing an interface between the housing (16) and the portion of the conductor assembly projecting from the housing. The second connector (14) includes an outer contact (60), an inner contact (62) nested within a portion of the outer contact (60), and a housing (64) containing the inner and outer contacts. Conductors of the conductor assembly (18) of the first connector (12) engage the outer (60) and inner (62) contacts of the second connector (14). Another resilient seal member (45) includes a flexible skirt (50) formed at an end portion thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system vacuum booster tandem power piston connection design such that the primary piston and the secondary piston are positioned together forming the tandem power piston. A connection design that provides direct alignment between the primary piston and secondary piston upon assembly and also provides an airtight seal between the primary piston and the secondary piston when assembling the tandem power piston.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system master cylinder that can handle pressure pulses within the brake fluid of a vehicle braking system without the destruction of components internal to a master cylinder. A vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for component subassembly external to the master cylinder and is self-aligning when assembled. Finally, a vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for variable travel of the primary piston and the secondary piston within the master cylinder and greater fluid flow in the vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system master cylinder that can handle pressure pulses within the brake fluid of a vehicle braking system without the destruction of components internal to a master cylinder. A vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for component subassembly external to the master cylinder and is self-aligning when assembled. Finally, a vehicle braking system master cylinder that allows for variable travel of the primary piston and the secondary piston within the master cylinder and greater fluid flow in the vehicle braking system.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system vacuum booster tandem power piston connection design such that the primary piston and the secondary piston are positioned together forming the tandem power piston. A connection design that provides direct alignment between the primary piston and secondary piston upon assembly and also provides an airtight seal between the primary piston and the secondary piston when assembling the tandem power piston.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting the axial distance between the front and rear walls of a vacuum booster, from outside of the booster, after the booster has been assembled. The booster includes a housing having a front housing and a rear housing joined together and defining a longitudinal axis of the booster. The front housing defines a front wall of the housing and an inner surface of the front wall. The rear housing defines a rear wall of the housing and includes a captive nut having threads adapted for threaded engagement with a threaded end of a tie rod. The front and rear walls are spaced an axial distance from one another along the longitudinal axis. A tie rod extends axially through the housing and has a first end engaging the rear wall of the housing and a second end engaging the front wall of the housing. The first end of the tie rod has threads for engaging the threads of the captive nut in the rear wall of the housing.

Abstract: A master cylinder comprises a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a proportioner valve. The secondary piston is engaged with the primary piston, and the proportioner valve is disposed within the secondary piston.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for mounting a brake booster on a panel with an adapter are provided, through the use of a boot having a generally cup-shaped wall defining a flange for sealing a juncture between the brake booster and the adapter, a sealing lip for sealing a juncture between the boot and the adapter, and a hole for passage of the push rod, with the hole having a periphery for sealing the juncture between the boot and the push rod. The boot includes an air intake extending through the wall of the boot between the flange and the sealing lip.

Abstract: A collapsible push rod for a brake booster in a vehicle is provided, having first and second telescoping members, and retractable locking means for selectively locking the first and second members together against telescoping. During a frontal impact collision, the members telescope into one another to shorten the length of the push rod and compensate for rearward movement of the brake booster and forward movement of the driver. The push rod is operable in the collapsed state. The push rod is also re-settable after the collision, and includes features for returning the push rod to its normal un-telescoped length following the collision, if the push rod is not damaged in the collision. The retractable locking means includes an electrically actuated solenoid for selectively locking and unlocking the first and second members against telescoping, in response to an electrical signal applied to the solenoid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting the axial distance between the front and rear walls of a vacuum booster, from outside of the booster, after the booster has been assembled. The booster includes a housing having a front housing and a rear housing joined together and defining a longitudinal axis of the booster. The front housing defines a front wall of the housing and an inner surface of the front wall. The rear housing defines a rear wall of the housing and includes a captive nut having threads adapted for threaded engagement with a threaded end of a tie rod. The front and rear walls are spaced an axial distance from one another along the longitudinal axis. A tie rod extends axially through the housing and has a first end engaging the rear wall of the housing and a second end engaging the front wall of the housing. The first end of the tie rod has threads for engaging the threads of the captive nut in the rear wall of the housing.

Abstract: A lightweight spacer for mounting a vacuum brake booster on a panel provides integral flexible sealing lips to seal the interfaces between the panel, spacer, and booster. Integral retaining tabs are provided for holding the spacer in place on the booster during shipping and installation of the booster. Tubular inserts within the spacer are retained and cushioned against rattling by a thin web of material extending over the end of the insert.

Abstract: A master cylinder comprises a primary piston, a secondary piston, and a proportioner valve. The secondary piston is engaged with the primary piston, and the proportioner valve is disposed within the secondary piston.

Abstract: A power booster comprises a rear housing section and a piston. An inner bearing is disposed around the piston, and is adjustable relative to the rear housing section to translate the piston. A method of setting an axial dimension of the power booster is also provided.

Abstract: A spacer for separating a brake booster from a wall comprises a support and a boot. The support is disposed between the booster and the wall, and has a breather port. The boot is integral with the support, and has a generally conical shape tapering from the wall toward a push rod of the booster.

Abstract: A tandem vacuum booster includes an internal air passage connection between primary and secondary high pressure chambers of the booster, and extending through a primary low pressure chamber of the booster. The internal air passage connection includes a tubular collar extending longitudinally from a divider separating the secondary high pressure and primary low pressure chambers, and an extensible air tube extending through and from a primary diaphragm of the booster, with the primary diaphragm defining the boundary between the primary high and low pressure chambers. The collar includes an outer surface thereof adapted for receiving a distal end of the extensible air tube extending over a portion of the outer surface of the collar. The distal ends of the collar and the air tube include elements for retaining and/or sealing the distal end of the extensible tube against the outer surface of the collar.

Abstract: A collapsible push rod for a brake booster in a vehicle is provided, having first and second telescoping members, and retractable locking means for selectively locking the first and second members together against telescoping. During a frontal impact collision, the members telescope into one another to shorten the length of the push rod and compensate for rearward movement of the brake booster and forward movement of the driver. The push rod is operable in the collapsed state. The push rod is also re-settable after the collision, and includes features for returning the push rod to its normal un-telescoped length following the collision, if the push rod is not damaged in the collision. The retractable locking means includes an electrically actuated solenoid for selectively locking and unlocking the first and second members against telescoping, in response to an electrical signal applied to the solenoid.

Abstract: A manifold assembly for pneumatically interconnecting a brake booster to an engine and to an electrically-driven vacuum pump. A manifold housing has an engine port pneumatically communicable with the engine, a separate booster port pneumatically communicable with the brake booster, and an orifice pneumatically communicable with the vacuum pump inlet. An engine check valve substantially blocks pneumatic flow from the engine port to the booster port. A vacuum-pump check valve substantially blocks pneumatic flow from the engine port to the vacuum pump outlet.

Abstract: A power booster comprises a rear housing section and a piston. An inner bearing is disposed around the piston, and is adjustable relative to the rear housing section to translate the piston. A method of setting an axial dimension of the power booster is also provided.

Abstract: A spacer for separating a brake booster from a wall comprises a support and a boot. The support is disposed between the booster and the wall, and has a breather port. The boot is integral with the support, and has a generally conical shape tapering from the wall toward a push rod of the booster.

Abstract: A lightweight spacer for mounting a vacuum brake booster on a panel provides integral flexible sealing lips to seal the interfaces between the panel, spacer, and booster. Integral retaining tabs are provided for holding the spacer in place on the booster during shipping and installation of the booster. Tubular inserts within the spacer are retained and cushioned against rattling by a thin web of material extending over the end of the insert.