Abstract: A compressed air supply apparatus for heavy vehicles includes a service reservoir, an air dryer in communication with the service reservoir, a purge reservoir in communication with the air dryer, a compressor for delivering compressed air through the air dryer preferentially to the purge reservoir and then to the service reservoir and a controller. The controller interrupts the charge cycle of the compressor in response to a moisture accumulation value being equal to or exceeding a wetness threshold value and the pressure in the service reservoir being within a predetermined pressure range. The controller then initiates a modified purge cycle of the air dryer, which includes iteratively regenerating the air dryer with air from the purge reservoir until at least one of the moisture accumulation value is less than the wetness threshold value and the pressure in the service reservoir is outside the predetermined pressure range.

Abstract: An oil sequestering, air-drying cartridge device comprises a pair of tandem fluid diodes for respectively preventing backflow of moist air into an oil coalescing filter and preventing backflow of dry air into a desiccant material. The device comprises an outer cartridge skin and a middle shell concentrically nested between the cartridge skin and an inner shell. The middle shell houses channel walls having offset wave-like contours that prevent backflow of moist air into the oil filter, and the inner shell comprises similar channel walls that prevent backflow of dry air into the desiccant, which is positioned between the inner and middle shells.

Abstract: In the event of a pneumatic trailer connection failure between a tractor and trailer of, e.g., a commercial vehicle, a pressure protection valve (PPV) is provided on the air line between a double check valve that supplies air from one or more service reservoirs and a trailer parking valve without a flow restrictor, which transmits the air to the trailer connection for supplying the trailer brakes. When output pressure on the PPV drops below a predetermined closing pressure threshold due to the connection failure, the PPV closes to protect the tractor brake air supply. Upon restoration of the trailer connection and upon input pressure at the PPV exceeding a predetermined opening pressure threshold, the PPV opens and the trailer brake system is charged more quickly than can be achieved using a conventional trailer parking valve with a flow restrictor.

Abstract: Vehicle brake performance monitoring is provided. The braking capabilities are dynamically learned or otherwise calculated or determined in each vehicle and shared between the vehicles of the platoon. The platoon may be reorganized based on differences between the learned or otherwise calculated or determined relative braking capabilities. Desired gaps between the platooning vehicles may be modified in accordance with the learned or otherwise calculated or determined relative braking capabilities as necessary or desired. During every vehicle stop, the vehicle and axle loads together with information on the time from brake apply to when the vehicle decelerates is monitored and entered as a data point defining the vehicle response delay. The axle loads and the ABS Activation of a wheel end for a given pressure is further selectively used to create another data point. The data points are selectively used to develop overall performance (e.g., quality score) of the brake system.

Abstract: A compressed air supply apparatus for heavy vehicles includes a service reservoir, an air dryer in communication with the service reservoir, a purge reservoir in communication with the air dryer, a compressor for delivering compressed air through the air dryer preferentially to the purge reservoir and then to the service reservoir and a controller. The controller interrupts the charge cycle of the compressor in response to a moisture accumulation value being equal to or exceeding a wetness threshold value and the pressure in the service reservoir being within a predetermined pressure range. The controller then initiates a modified purge cycle of the air dryer, which includes iteratively regenerating the air dryer with air from the purge reservoir until at least one of the moisture accumulation value is less than the wetness threshold value and the pressure in the service reservoir is outside the predetermined pressure range.

Abstract: A device for monitoring humidity in a compressed air system comprises a light emitter; a light sensor; and a hygromorphic element. The hygromorphic element is exposed to a source of compressed air and positioned between the light emitter and the light sensor. The hygromorphic element changes the amount of light passing between the light emitter and the light sensor as the humidity in the compressed air increases.

Abstract: In the event of a pneumatic trailer connection failure between a tractor and trailer of, e.g., a commercial vehicle, a pressure protection valve (PPV) is provided on the air line between a double check valve that supplies air from one or more service reservoirs and a trailer parking valve without a flow restrictor, which transmits the air to the trailer connection for supplying the trailer brakes. When output pressure on the PPV drops below a predetermined closing pressure threshold due to the connection failure, the PPV closes to protect the tractor brake air supply. Upon restoration of the trailer connection and upon input pressure at the PPV exceeding a predetermined opening pressure threshold, the PPV opens and the trailer brake system is charged more quickly than can be achieved using a conventional trailer parking valve with a flow restrictor.

Abstract: An oil sequestering, air-drying cartridge device comprises a pair of tandem fluid diodes for respectively preventing backflow of moist air into an oil coalescing filter and preventing backflow of dry air into a desiccant material. The device comprises an outer cartridge skin and a middle shell concentrically nested between the cartridge skin and an inner shell. The middle shell houses channel walls having offset wave-like contours that prevent backflow of moist air into the oil filter, and the inner shell comprises similar channel walls that prevent backflow of dry air into the desiccant, which is positioned between the inner and middle shells.

Abstract: A device for monitoring humidity in a compressed air system comprises a light emitter; a light sensor; and a hygromorphic element. The hygromorphic element is exposed to a source of compressed air and positioned between the light emitter and the light sensor. The hygromorphic element changes the amount of light passing between the light emitter and the light sensor as the humidity in the compressed air increases.

Abstract: A controller apparatus is provided for a compressed air system. The controller apparatus comprises a control output for transmitting a control signal to interrupt a charge cycle of an associated compressor in a loading state. The controller apparatus further comprises control logic capable of initiating an interrupted charge cycle of the compressor based upon a moisture accumulation value indicative of the extent of moisture accumulated in an associated air dryer during the charge cycle of the compressor in the loading state.

Abstract: An air dryer assembly that monitors the replacement of an air dryer cartridge comprises a first air dryer cartridge, an air dryer base for receiving the first air dryer cartridge and a state change device positioned between the air dryer cartridge and air dryer base. The state change device changes from a first state to a second state in response to the first air dryer cartridge being removed from the air dryer base. The state change device changes to a third state when a second air dryer cartridge is removably attached to the air dryer base.

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: Vehicle brake performance monitoring is provided. The braking capabilities are dynamically learned or otherwise calculated or determined in each vehicle and shared between the vehicles of the platoon. The platoon may be reorganized based on differences between the learned or otherwise calculated or determined relative braking capabilities. Desired gaps between the platooning vehicles may be modified in accordance with the learned or otherwise calculated or determined relative braking capabilities as necessary or desired. During every vehicle stop, the vehicle and axle loads together with information on the time from brake apply to when the vehicle decelerates is monitored and entered as a data point defining the vehicle response delay. The axle loads and the ABS Activation of a wheel end for a given pressure is further selectively used to create another data point. The data points are selectively used to develop overall performance (e.g., quality score) of the brake system.

Abstract: When a brake system on a commercial vehicle, lateral acceleration and/or yaw of the vehicle are monitored and compared to a first predetermined threshold. If the first predetermined threshold is exceeded, a precharge command is sent to the brake system to precharge one or more air chambers by temporarily deactivating a modulator valve and activating an antilock traction relay valve in order to charge the air chambers up to a level permitted by the modulator valve. Upon detecting a panic braking event, a command signal is sent to the brake system to release the precharged air to facilitate braking.

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: When a brake system on a commercial vehicle, lateral acceleration and/or yaw of the vehicle are monitored and compared to a first predetermined threshold. If the first predetermined threshold is exceeded, a precharge command is sent to the brake system to precharge one or more air chambers by temporarily deactivating a modulator valve and activating an antilock traction relay valve in order to charge the air chambers up to a level permitted by the modulator valve. Upon detecting a panic braking event, a command signal is sent to the brake system to release the precharged air to facilitate braking.

Abstract: A controller for a parking brake system for a commercial vehicle is disclosed. The controller receives a signal indicative of a request to park a tractor, a signal indicative of a request to supply air to a trailer and a signal indicative of a vehicle operating condition. The controller transmits a control signal to a tractor parking brake device and a trailer air supply device in order to park the tractor and maintain the air supply to the trailer to suspend the parking of the trailer in response to the signals.

Abstract: A controller for a parking brake system for a commercial vehicle is disclosed. The controller receives a signal indicative of a request to park a tractor, a signal indicative of a request to supply air to a trailer and a signal indicative of a vehicle operating condition. The controller transmits a control signal to a tractor parking brake device and a trailer air supply device in order to park the tractor and maintain the air supply to the trailer to suspend the parking of the trailer in response to the signals.