Abstract: A brake chamber stroke indicator system for a brake system including a brake air chamber includes an indicator rod or a string pot gauge including a housing with an indicator rotatably positioned within the housing. A string has a first end attached to the indicator of the string pot gauge. A spring urges the indicator to rotate in a first direction whereby the string is retracted into the housing. The second end of the string is attached to a brake push rod or a pressure plate. The indicator rod is mounted by a base onto a pressure plate.

Abstract: A brake chamber stroke indicator system for a brake system including a brake air chamber includes an indicator rod or a string pot gauge including a housing with an indicator rotatably positioned within the housing. A string has a first end attached to the indicator of the string pot gauge. A spring urges the indicator to rotate in a first direction whereby the string is retracted into the housing. The second end of the string is attached to a brake push rod or a pressure plate. The indicator rod is mounted by a base onto a pressure plate.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator includes a housing, a plunger, a shaft, a resilient member, and a shape memory alloy component. The plunger is slidably but non-rotatably received in the housing and has a first locking component. The shaft has a second locking component. The resilient member is positioned to slidably urge the plunger into a disengagement position of the first and second locking components allowing rotation of the shaft. The shape memory alloy component is positioned to slidably urge the plunger into an engagement position of the first and second locking components, when the shape memory alloy component is heated, preventing rotation of the shaft. In one application, the first and second locking components are interdigitable vehicle-parking-brake latch teeth.

Abstract: An electric caliper assembly for a brake system is provided. The electric caliper assembly includes a housing defining a bore with a bridge extending therefrom, a first and a second friction element and a brake rotor disposed under the bridge, a piston having a flat outer surface for engaging the first friction element, an electric motor connected to a ballscrew mechanism for applying an axial load to the piston, a cap connected to the ball screw mechanism, and a universal connection between a spherical surface of the piston and a complimentary spherical surface of the cap for allowing a swiveling movement of the piston relative to the assembly. This swiveling movement allows the piston to engage the first friction element perpendicularly so that the load may be transmitted from the piston to the first friction element over the entire surface of the piston, maximizing the efficiency of the assembly.