Abstract: A braking system is proposed for a vehicle, in particular a lightweight vehicle, in particular a pedal cycle, comprising a brake device, a mechanical urging device, and a hydraulic urging device, wherein the mechanical urging device and the brake device form a parking brake device, and the hydraulic urging device takes the form of a hydraulically actuable release device for the parking brake device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for reducing brake drag in a brake system of a vehicle. It may be determined that the vehicle is stationary. A brake pressure of the brake system may be monitored. The monitored brake pressure may then be compared to a brake pressure criteria. A brake pressure to be applied may be regulated when the monitored brake pressure does not meet the brake pressure criteria, wherein the applied brake pressure meets the pressure criteria.

Abstract: A bicycle disc brake caliper is basically provided with a first side caliper part, a second side caliper part, a layer of bonding material, a mating recess and a mating protrusion. The first side caliper part includes a first bonding surface. The second side caliper part includes a second bonding surface. The layer of bonding material is disposed between the first and second bonding surfaces of the first and second side caliper parts. The mating recess is disposed on one of the first and second side caliper parts. The mating protrusion is disposed on the other of the first and second side caliper parts and mated with the mating recess. The first and second bonding surfaces of the first and second side caliper parts are fixedly bonded together by the layer of bonding material with a brake disc slot being defined between the first and second side caliper parts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a pre-fill system to improve brake feel and a method of increasing an initial flux using the same which may reduce an invalid travel distance of a brake pedal. The pre-fill system includes a first housing connected with the master cylinder and provided with a first bore having a smaller-diameter portion and a larger-diameter portion, a second housing provided with a stepped second bore communicating with the first bore to be coupled with the first housing to define a hydraulic pressure chamber, a piston arranged in the first bore and provided with an oil channel unit, and a valve assembly adapted to open and close the oil channel unit of the piston according to the hydraulic brake pressure, wherein the piston applies pressure to the hydraulic pressure chamber through the piston to supply hydraulic pressure to the disc brake.

Abstract: An apparatus connectable to a brake master cylinder for regulating pressure in a hydraulic brake system. The apparatus includes an outer casing housing a cylinder portion and a piston slidable therewithin. A pressure chamber forms between the cylinder wall and the piston. The piston includes a seal within an outer groove to prevent fluid leakage. The cylinder portion includes an inlet hole for hydraulic fluid flow into the cylinder and an air discharge valve. A fixing member having an extension with a concave portion is threadably attached to the lower end of the case, and a rod portion of the piston slidably fits into the concave portion. A spring providing a constant pre-pressure is located between a shoulder of the piston and a pressure controlling member abutting the fixing member, such that the end of the rod remains a fixed distance from the bottom of the concave portion.

Abstract: A hydraulic compensation device includes a container, a piston, a push member and an indicating rod. The piston is mounted slidably inside the container adjacent to a first end portion to confine a brake oil with the first end portion of the container. The push member is disposed rotatably inside the container adjacent to a second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion of the container, and abuts against the piston. The push member is threadedly movable relative to the container so as to push the piston toward the first end portion, thereby moving the hydraulic actuator and adjusting the position of the brake pad. The indicating rod projects axially from the push member, and extends outwardly of the container through the second end portion of the container for indicating the amount of displacement of the push member.

Abstract: A self-purging vehicle braking system and method of purging gas from same are provided by the present invention. The braking system preferably includes a disk brake and a master cylinder in fluid communication with the disk brake. The master cylinder preferably has a piston chamber, a piston disposed within the piston chamber and moveable between an extended and a retracted position which defines a working volume of fluid moved by the piston, and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the piston chamber and adapted to supply fluid thereto. A manifold connects in fluid communication with the piston chamber and the disk brake. An inlet brake line interconnects the manifold to the disk brake for supplying brake fluid to the disk brake, and an outlet brake line interconnects the disk brake to the manifold for returning fluid from the disk brake. A flow controller connects in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet brake lines to control fluid flow during operation of the braking system.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system is provided for delaying the flow of brake fluid to the rear brakes to reduce the risk of locking the rear brakes. The braking system preferably has a master cylinder, a pair of disk brakes respectively positioned on a pair of rear wheels of a vehicle, and inlet and outlet brake lines each respectively connected to the master cylinder and the pair of rear disk brakes. A fluid circulator valve preferably is positioned between and in fluid communication with the master cylinder and the pair of rear disk brakes and is connected to the inlet and outlet brake lines. A rear brake delay valve preferably is positioned between and in fluid communication with the circulator valve and the pair of rear disk brakes and is connected to the inlet brake line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic brake piston adjuster assembly (10) that includes a first or outer piston (30) housing and a second inner piston (40). The first piston (30) has a first piston end (31) received within a housing bore (16) and the end (31) extends axially to include an inlet (32) having a relief valve mechanism (34). The second piston (40)includes an axially inner second piston end (42) received within the bore (36) of the first piston (30) and extends axially to encompass the inlet (32) of the first piston (30) and so that the piston ends (31, 42) define therebetween an inner piston chamber (50). A first piston second end abuts a running clearance adjustment mechanism (59) comprising an axially displaceable collar member (60).

Abstract: A hydraulic power unit for a hydropneumatic brake actuator having a power piston comprising a force piston formed with a bore therein and a take-up piston operative in the force piston bore for movement relative thereto during a brake application. This relative movement is controlled by a check valve device carried with the force piston to establish or interrupt fluid pressure communication between the respective pistons and establishes a positive clearance between a brake shoe and wheel tread, for example, during a subsequent brake release.

Abstract: Spring-loaded cylinder with a tension piston (7) which can be pressurized by a pressure medium. Between the tension piston (7) and a piston rod (3) movable thereby, a cylinder-piston arrangement (19, 20, 21) is installed, whose cylinder chamber (21) can be pressurized from the pressurization chamber (10) of the tension piston (7) via a sealing ring (18), constituting a reflux valve. A first axial friction coupling (17, 18) is provided between the tension piston (7) and the piston rod (3) and a second friction coupling (13, 14) between a housing section (1) and the piston rod (3). The second friction coupling (13, 14) has a buffer clearance A, corresponding to the nominal application stroke. The friction force of the first friction coupling (17, 16) is greater than the expansion force of the cylinder-piston arrangement (19, 20, 21), and the friction force of the second friction coupling (13, 14) is greater than the friction force of the first friction coupling (17, 16) reduced by the expansion force.

Abstract: A combined hydropneumatic brake cylinder/air reservoir device having a hydraulic piston formed on the end of a push rod through which interconnected, different sized, pneumatic pistons operate to transmit the desired brake force. The hydraulic piston operates in a hydraulic cylinder having a slack adjuster piston arranged to supply or reduce the hydraulic fluid in the braking circuit in order to compensate for overtravel and undertravel of the pneumatic piston assembly due to brake shoe wear and brake shoe replacement respectively. The double-acting slack adjuster action results in the stroke of the pneumatic piston assembly being maintained constant to assure continued optimum operating efficiency.

Abstract: A disk brake actuator having a hydraulic slack-adjusting arrangement for maintaining a positive clearance between a brake shoe and a brake disk, includes a cylinder housing having disposed therein a brake-applying spring section, a hydraulic-operated release section, and an actuator piston spindle arrangement operably-connected to the spring section by way of a clutch arrangement. A flange, formed on the actuator piston, acts as a plunger during a brake application and draws a first amount of hydraulic fluid into a first storage area, such first amount corresponding in volumn to the clearance between the brake disk and brake shoe when a nonworn brake shoe is first used. Upon release of the brake, the actuator piston forces the hydraulic fluid back into a second storage area wherein is included a shuttle member movable with a shuttle chamber. Additional hydraulic fluid is drawn from a reservoir when actuator piston movement, beyond the original clearance value, occurs as a result of brake shoe wear.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated piston (78) is slidably carried in a fluid pressure actuated cylinder (50) which, in turn, is slidably carried in a fixed carrier or casing (21). Movement of the cylinder (50) is resisted by a breakable or displaceable coupler (90, 94, 184, 185) which engages the cylinder (50). Fluid pressure acting upon the cylinder (50) and piston (78) causes the coupler (90, 94, 184, 185) to break or be displaced and release the cylinder (50) for axial movement in the direction of movement of the pressure responsive piston (78).

Abstract: In a hydraulic brake system the fluid slack is maintained at a predetermined volume by a flow control valve that is positioned between a fluid reservoir and a slack adjusting cylinder. The flow control valve closes the fluid path to the reservoir after a chamber in the cylinder fills with a predetermined amount of slack fluid. The flow control valve can be held open with a detent mechanism to permit servicing of the brake system. The detent is automatically released when the brakes are applied.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated disk brake apparatus for a motor vehicle comprises a brake disk, a caliper-like brake housing disposed to straddle over the brake disk and having a pair of arms, and a pair of brake pad assemblies disposed in the brake housing in opposition to each other with the brake disk being interposed therebetween. The brake pad assemblies are movable toward and from the brake disk. A cylinder chamber is formed in one of the caliper arms and accommodates therein a first piston for pressing the adjacent brake pad assembly to the brake disk and a second piston positioned with a distance from the first piston. The second piston is operated by an externally provided actuator member to produce a hydraulic pressure in the cylinder chamber for moving the first piston and the associated brake pad assembly toward the brake disk. A reservoir for hydraulic fluid is formed in the brake housing to supply supplementary fluid into the cylinder chamber.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated piston of an aircraft multiple disc brake assembly is adapted to have an extended stroke by telescoping with a pressure actuated cylinder. The piston is slidably carried in a fluid pressure actuated cylinder which, in turn, is slidably carried in a fixed carrier. Initially, only the piston moves axially to extend its stroke with respect to the carrier. The cylinder's structure and axial position with respect to the carrier creates a fluid pressure responsive surface area initially sealed from the effects of the fluid pressure. Axial movement of the cylinder is initially resisted by either mechanical or differential pressure member until the stroke of the piston reaches a predetermined axial position to engage the cylinder. Continued extension of the piston's stroke urges the cylinder axially to break the fluid seal and expose the heretofore unaffected surface area of the cylinder to fluid pressure thereby extending the stroke of the cylinder a predetermined axial distance.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated piston of an aircraft multiple disc brake assembly is adapted to have an extended stroke by telescoping with a pressure actuated cylinder. The piston is slidably carried in a fluid pressure actuated cylinder which, in turn, is slidably carried in a fixed carrier. Initially, only the piston moves axially to extend its stroke with respect to the carrier. The cylinder's structure and axial position with respect to the carrier creates a fluid pressure responsive surface area initially sealed from the effects of the fluid pressure. Axial movement of the cylinder is initially resisted by either mechanical or differential pressure member until the stroke of the piston reaches a predetermined axial position to engage the cylinder. Continued extension of the piston's stroke urges the cylinder axially to break the fluid seal and expose the heretofore unaffected surface area of the cylinder to fluid pressure thereby extending the stroke of the cylinder a predetermined axial distance.

Abstract: A circulating system for hydraulic brakes having a master cylinder, reservoir for supplying fluid to the master cylinder, a wheel cylinder, and a fluid line connecting the master cylinder with the wheel cylinder. The circulating system includes a pump connected in a fluid line from the reservoir to the bleedoff port of the wheel cylinder. A check valve is connected between the pump and wheel cylinder to allow flow only in the direction from the wheel cylinder to the master cylinder. The pressure exerted by the pump is insufficient to cause braking. The check valve allows conventional braking by the master cylinder while the pump maintains a supply of fluid.

Abstract: An extensible cylinder slidably containing a fluid pressure actuated piston is provided with differential first and second area portions exposed to a piston actuating pressurized fluid and an opposing pressurized fluid which opposing fluid is pressurized by a fluid pressure amplifier or booster responsive to the piston actuating pressurized fluid to maintain a proportional relationship between the pressures of the piston actuating fluid and opposing fluid to thereby generate a force balance on the cylinder. A stop on the cylinder is engaged by the piston upon completion of the piston stroke in the cylinder causing the cylinder to advance with the piston to thereby extend the stroke of the piston. The volumetric requirement of the piston actuating pressurized fluid for a given displacement of the piston is constant regardless of the position of the extensible cylinder.

Abstract: A fluid pressure brake system for a bicycle or a motorcycle having a master cylinder which is provided with an excess portion extending from the end of the cylinder to have a given length more than a maximum pressure stroke of the piston of the master cylinder; this portion is provided internally thereof with an adjusting member controlling the inner volume thereof. Thus, the adjustment of the adjusting member keeps the brake action so as to be constantly responding to a predetermined swing of an operating lever at a handle bar despite leakage of fluid and wear of brake padding, thereby making it possible to perform consistent braking action.