Abstract: A brake condition monitoring system includes a central control receiving signals from each of the several brake actuators mounted on a vehicle. The control receives all of the signals, and sends a single signal to a display in the cab of the vehicle indicative of which of the brake actuators may be evidencing a malfunction. The signals from each brake actuators are unique such that the control can determine which brake actuator each signal is from. The control is also capable of monitoring conditions other than movement of a push rod.

Abstract: In a method of forming tamper-resistant brake actuators, the ports for connecting air pressure sources to apertures within the central housing of the brake actuator are bolted to the central housing after the brake housing members have been inelastically deformed together. In this way, the deformation tools utilized to deform the housing members will not contact the air pressure ports. In the past, brake actuators have required spacing the deformation tools from the ports to avoid damaging the ports. This has required that the central housing be undesirably long. With the inventive method, the deformation is performed prior to attachment of the ports. Thus, the axial length of the central housing may be greatly reduced over the prior art. Once the deformation is completed, the ports are then bolted to the central housing. In this way, the length of the central housing and the amount of material required by the central housing are greatly reduced.

Abstract: A brake release tool incorporates a two-part structure wherein a portion accessible from outside the brake actuator does not move axially away from the brake actuator during caging. In this way, less room is necessary outwardly of the brake actuator housing than has been required in the prior art. An operator turns an outer bolt, which turns a threaded inner nut. The threaded inner nut moves axially to contact a piston, and moves the piston to cage the power spring. The bolt need not move axially outwardly, although in one embodiment it may move slightly axially inwardly as the spring is caged to provide a visual indication that the spring is not uncaged.