Abstract: A control valve for controlling fluid flow in a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a valve seat. A sleeve is mounted on the valve seat. An armature core is slidably received in the sleeve. The sleeve includes a first ferromagnetic portion adjacent the valve seat, a second ferromagnetic portion, and an annular region defining an area of increased magnetic reluctance. A part of the first portion of the sleeve defines a radial magnetic pole for the generally radial flow of magnetic flux from the armature to the sleeve. A portion of the valve seat adjacent the armature defines an axial magnetic pole for the generally axial flow of magnetic flux from the armature to the valve seat. Together, the generally radial flow of flux and the generally axial flow of flux generate a force urging the armature from an open position toward a closed position when the coil is energized.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling fluid flow in a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a valve seat. A sleeve is mounted on the valve seat. An armature core is slidably received in the sleeve. The sleeve includes a first ferromagnetic portion adjacent the valve seat, a second ferromagnetic portion, and an annular region defining an area of increased magnetic reluctance. A part of the first portion of the sleeve defines a radial magnetic pole for the generally radial flow of magnetic flux from the armature to the sleeve. A portion of the valve seat adjacent the armature defines an axial magnetic pole for the generally axial flow of magnetic flux from the armature to the valve seat. Together, the generally radial flow of flux and the generally axial flow of flux generate a force urging the armature from an open position toward a closed position when the coil is energized.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling fluid flow in a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a valve seat. A sleeve is mounted on the valve seat. An armature core is slidably received in the sleeve. The armature core has a passage extending between first and second planar end surfaces of the armature core. An armature body is formed from a moldable material onto the armature core. The armature body has a central section received in the passage of the armature core, a first end section extending from the first end surface of the armature core, and a second end section extending from the second end surface of the armature core. This control valve is particularly adapted to be mounted in a bore of a housing of a hydraulic control unit of an electronically controlled vehicular brake system.

Abstract: A hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a housing. A bore is formed in the housing. A valve seat is received in the bore. A sleeve is mounted on the valve seat. The sleeve includes an annular groove for receiving material from the housing to retain the sleeve on the housing. An armature core is slidably received in the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for assembling a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes the following steps of: providing a sleeve having a closed end; sliding a spring over an armature to form an armature/spring subassembly; orientating the armature subassembly to produce a normally open valve or a normally closed valve; sliding the oriented armature/spring subassembly into the sleeve; sliding a valve seat into the sleeve; crimping a portion of the sleeve onto the valve seat to form a sleeve/valve seat subassembly; inserting the sleeve/valve seat subassembly into a bore of a housing. Two additional steps can be combined with the above listed steps to provide a method of assembling the control valve subassemblies described above on a hydraulic control unit. The additional steps include: inserting the sleeve/valve seat subassembly into a bore in a housing; and pressing a coil assembly about the sleeve.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling fluid flow in a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a flux tube having an end cap, a thick tube section, and a thin tube section defining an interior volume. An armature is slidably received in the interior volume of the flux tube. A coil is provided about the flux tube. A collar covers a portion of the thin tube section and is spaced from the thick tube section so that an air gap is provided between the coil and the portion of the thin tube section not covered by the collar.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling fluid flow in a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a tube. A flux cap is pressed onto one end of the tube. A flux ring pole is pressed onto an opposite end of the tube. An armature is slidably received in the tube. A coil subassembly is provided about the tube, flux cap, and flux ring pole. A valve seat receives the flux ring pole. The valve seat is mounted in a bore of a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electro-hydraulic brake-by-wire system including a hydraulic pump and a plurality of valves to achieve a demanded braking force, and to achieve a desired brake pedal feel. The brake system includes a plurality of wheel brakes, a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, and a pump for selectively pumping hydraulic fluid from the reservoir and supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the wheel brakes for applying a braking force. The pump acts as a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the wheel brakes during normal brake apply, as well as during advanced braking functions as Antilock Braking (ABS), Traction Control (TC), or Vehicle Stability Control (VSC). An apply valve is associated with each of the wheel brakes for selectively permitting flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump to the associated wheel brake. A dump valve is associated with each of the wheel brakes for selectively permitting flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the associated wheel brake to the reservoir.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling fluid flow in a hydraulic control unit of a vehicular brake system includes a valve body. A flux tube is mounted on the valve body. An armature core having first and second ends and a longitudinal passage is slidably received in the flux tube. A bearing element is formed from a low-friction material. The bearing element includes a stem received into the longitudinal passage and an end cap having a diameter greater than a diameter of the armature core.

Abstract: An improved compensation piston arrangement for use with a dual circuit master cylinder having a single service piston for simultaneously pressurizing a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, wherein the compensation piston arrangement provides for pressure balancing between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber to compensate for minor normal differences between the first and second fluid chamber. The compensation piston arrangement includes a movable compensation piston slidably disposed within a bore of a compensation housing, wherein the housing defines a pair of end stops positioned on opposing sides of the compensation piston. The bore is in fluid communication with the fluid chambers such that the pressure within the first fluid chamber acts on a first side of the compensation piston, and the pressure within the second fluid chamber acts on a second end of the compensation piston which is opposite the first end.

Abstract: An improved force transfer arrangement for use in a dual circuit master cylinder having a pair of nested concentric pistons for pressurizing a pair of respective fluid chambers, wherein the force transfer arrangement imparts an input force from an input piston on a pair of pistons such that the pair of pistons can move relative to each other to compensate for different travel lengths. The invention discloses three embodiments of the improved force transfer arrangement. A first embodiment includes a hydraulic fluid chamber in fluid communication with the input piston and the pair of pistons. A second embodiment includes a circumferentially arranged ball mechanism positioned between the input piston and the pair of pistons. A third embodiment includes a notched lever ring assembly positioned between the input piston and the pair of pistons.

Abstract: A valve control unit for anti-lock and traction control systems for automotive vehicles and valve structures for the valve control unit. The valve control unit has a valve body housing having cylindrical cavities for receiving the internal portion of the valves and a counterbore forming an annular shoulder. Each valve has a radial flange received in the counterbore and seated on the annular shoulder. The periphery of the counterbore is swaged to form an inwardly directed annular lip securing the radial flange in the counterbore. The swaged annular lip also forms a fluid tight seal between the radial lip and the valve body housing. The annular lip is formed by a swaging tool orbited in a rosette pattern. The swaging of the annular lip permits closer spacing between the valves reducing the size and weight of the valve control unit.

Abstract: A piston-type pump suitable for use in vehicle control systems contains a piston element sliding within a stepped bore of a pump body, leakage of fluid past the piston element being prevented through use of a stationary seal surrounding the piston element and located at the end of the larger diameter stepped bore and fixed at that position by the end of a plug which is preferably shaped so as to include within the plug the pump cavity. The outer end of the piston element is urged by a return spring contained within the pump cavity against an oscillatory driving unit. Inlet and outlet check valves ensure unidirectional flow of hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A combination high pressure accumulator/bypass valve assembly suitable for vehicle control systems such as anti-lock braking systems and traction control systems employs a stationary seal and a reduced part count favoring economy of manufacture and assembly, and eliminates the dynamic seal/light alloy interface, significantly reducing the potential for failure due to pump body/seal abrasion. A caged spring assembly further encourages ease of assembly.

Abstract: A pumping device is provided for pumping fluid from an inlet to an outlet. The pump comprises a piston reciprocable between an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, a first valve between the inlet and the inlet chamber and responsive to reciprocation of the piston in a first direction to communicate the inlet to the inlet chamber, and a second valve between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber responsive to reciprocation of the piston in a second direction to communicate the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber, whereby fluid is received in the inlet chamber when the piston reciprocates in the first direction and pumped from the outlet chamber when the piston reciprocates in either direction. Also provided is a pump assembly for pumping fluid for an anti-lock braking system. The pump assembly is a dual action pump including two pistons which are stroked 90.degree. out of phase with respect to each other by a common drive member.

Abstract: A dual master cylinder having a bore of uniform diameter extending through an open end thereof and slidably supporting therein a pair of tandem pistons defining a pair of pressurizing chambers. Fuel input is controlled by center-port poppet valves, and the relative disposition of inlet and outlet brake fluid passages are reversed compared to conventional master cylinders to facilitate master cylinder recession into a vacuum booster without requiring long, angled brake fluid passages and to require a shorter and lighter housing. The inlet and outlet passages are positioned so that seals do not slide over fuel passage ports during operation, eliminating seal wear caused thereby and allowing the ports to be larger, thus reducing back pressure and improving compensation when the pistons are returning to, or are in, an unstroked position.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-lock brake system control unit having a control valve for a housing with a control valve bore therein. The control valve includes a sleeve with a moveable armature, and a coil surrounding the sleeve for moving the armature. The control valve also includes a valve body having an outer end attached to the sleeve and an inner end seated within the control valve bore of the housing. The valve body has an outer diameter no greater than the outer diameter of the coil such that minimum spacing between multiple control valves in the control unit is not limited by the outer diameter of the valve body.

Abstract: The combination solenoid valve and shuttle valve (60, 160A-D, 260A-D) comprises a shuttle valve (50, 150) which is slidingly and sealingly received at or adjacent an end of the solenoid valve (40, 140). The shuttle valve (50, 150) includes a stepped interior opening (54, 154) which sealingly receives the end of the solenoid valve (40) or a valve part (140A), such that slidable movement of the shuttle valve (50) causes an insert (55, 55A, 155) within the interior opening (54, 154) to seat sealingly over either a solenoid insert seat (41C) or insert seat (141C) of the valve part (140A) in order to isolate pressure chambers (12A, 12B; 112A, 112B; 212A, 212B) of a master cylinder/hydraulic booster (12, 112, 212A, 212B) from a wheel brake (16, 116A-D, 216A-D).

Abstract: The combination isolation and check valve includes a valve member (80, 180) which has a reduced diameter section (82, 182) and an enlarged diameter section (84, 184) disposed in respective bore sections (70, 74) separated by an intermediate diameter bore section (72). The valve member can be displaced by increased fluid pressure to sealingly engage a seal (95) that isolates a master cylinder (12) from an adaptive braking system (10, 120). A flapper valve mechansm (110) that places an rifice (114) at a valve member end opening (96A) communicating with a longitudinal opening (96) and a transverse opening (93). The orifice (114) reduces pressure transmitted from a pump (45) to the bore (22) containing the valve member (80) without restricting fluid flow between the master cylinder (12) and an associated wheel brake (50). The valve mechanism (210) may be disposed in a passage (41) that communicates with the valve member (180).

Abstract: A solenoid valve (10) comprises a body (12) received within a stepped opening (13) of a modulator body (11). The solenoid valve (10) includes a first opening (16) communicating with a chamber (40) and second (20) and third (22) openings communicating with an interior area (30) of the solenoid body (12). Located within the chamber (40) is a shuttle valve (50) having a longitudinal through-opening (52) with an orifice opening (54) and a transverse opening (56) communicating with the chamber (40) and intersecting the longitudinal through-opening (52). An armature (100) is disposed within the interior area (30) and has a first valve member (101) which may seat sealingly with a valve seat (53) of the longitudinal through-opening (52) of the shuttle valve (50), and a second valve member (102) which may seat sealingly with a valve seat (28) of the third opening (22). The armature (100) has a pair of parallel axial through-passages (105).