A spring brake actuator for braking a wheel of a vehicle includes a housing defining a chamber, a push rod extending from the chamber such that pneumatic activation of the spring brake actuator causes the push rod to further extend out of the chamber to thereby activate braking of the wheel of the vehicle and such that pneumatic deactivation of the spring brake actuator causes the push rod to retract back into the chamber to thereby deactivate braking of the wheel of the vehicle, and a sensor assembly located in the chamber such that the housing limits movement of the sensor assembly in the chamber.
A system for monitoring stroke of a spring brake actuator of a vehicle comprises a spring brake actuator having a push rod, wherein pneumatic activation of the spring brake actuator causes the push rod to further extend out of the spring brake actuator to thereby activate braking of the vehicle, and wherein pneumatic deactivation of the spring brake actuator causes the push rod to retract back into the spring brake actuator to thereby deactivate braking of the vehicle. A first magnet and a second magnet are coupled to the push rod, and the second magnet is spaced apart from the first magnet. A sensor is configured to sense a magnetic field created by the first magnet and the second magnet, and a controller is configured to determine stroke of the push rod based the magnetic field.
A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle. The spring brake actuator has an axially elongated housing having a parking brake chamber and a service brake chamber; a main compression spring in the parking brake chamber; a flexible diaphragm in the parking brake chamber; and a pressure plate in the parking brake chamber, the pressure plate located axially between the main compression spring and the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm has a contoured portion that inhibits radial shifting of the pressure plate with respect to the flexible diaphragm.
F16D 65/097 - Resilient means interposed between pads and supporting members
B60T 8/42 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to a speed condition, e.g. acceleration or deceleration having a fluid pressure regulator responsive to a speed condition having expanding chambers for controlling pressure
F16D 49/12 - Brakes with a braking member co-operating with the periphery of a drum, wheel-rim, or the like shaped as an encircling band extending over approximately 360° fluid actuated
A spring brake actuator for applying a brake of a vehicle includes a housing containing a diaphragm that separates the housing into first and second chambers. A clutch actuator device is for selectively compressing a compression spring such that the spring brake actuator is operable in a plurality of states including a parking state, driving state, and a braking state.
A spring brake actuator for applying a brake of a vehicle includes a housing containing a diaphragm that separates the housing into first and second chambers. A clutch actuator device is for selectively compressing a compression spring such that the spring brake actuator is operable in a plurality of states including a parking state, driving state, and a braking state.
A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle. The spring brake actuator has an axially elongated housing having a parking brake chamber and a service brake chamber; a main compression spring in the parking brake chamber; a flexible diaphragm in the parking brake chamber; and a pressure plate in the parking brake chamber, the pressure plate located axially between the main compression spring and the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm has a contoured portion that inhibits radial shifting of the pressure plate with respect to the flexible diaphragm.
F16D 65/09 - Pivots or supporting members therefor
F16D 65/097 - Resilient means interposed between pads and supporting members
B60T 8/42 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to a speed condition, e.g. acceleration or deceleration having a fluid pressure regulator responsive to a speed condition having expanding chambers for controlling pressure
F16D 49/12 - Brakes with a braking member co-operating with the periphery of a drum, wheel-rim, or the like shaped as an encircling band extending over approximately 360° fluid actuated
A brake chamber includes a chamber housing having an end, a push rod configured for reciprocal movement in the chamber housing in a first direction and a second direction over a stroke distance, a return spring disposed in the chamber housing configured to urge the push rod in the second direction and a sensor assembly having a sensor and a magnet movable relative to the sensor with movement of the push rod. The sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field strength of the magnet and output sensor data representative of the detected magnetic field strength. The sensor assembly is configured to determine a position of the push rod based on the sensor data over the entire stroke distance.
B60T 17/22 - Devices for monitoring or checking brake systemsSignal devices
B60T 13/10 - Transmitting braking action from initiating means to ultimate brake actuator with power assistance or driveBrake systems incorporating such transmitting means, e.g. air-pressure brake systems with fluid assistance, drive, or release
F16D 66/00 - Arrangements for monitoring working conditions of brakes, e.g. wear or temperature
G01D 5/14 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
A brake chamber (18) includes a chamber housing having an end (22), a push rod (14) configured for reciprocal movement in the chamber housing in a first direction and a second direction over a stroke distance, a return spring (16) disposed in the chamber housing configured to urge the push rod (14) in the second direction and a sensor assembly (26, 28) having a sensor (26) and a magnet (28) movable relative to the sensor with movement of the push rod. The sensor is configured to detect a magnetic field strength of the magnet and output sensor data representative of the detected magnetic field strength. The sensor assembly is configured to determine a position of the push rod based on the sensor data over the entire stroke distance.
A vehicle braking system includes a piston rod extendable from an air brake chamber, a rotatable cam shaft, and a slack adjuster coupled to the piston rod and the cam shaft. The slack adjuster is configured to rotate the cam shaft as the piston rod extends. The slack adjuster has a control gear coupled to the cam shaft such that the control gear rotates as the cam shaft is rotated. A pinion gear meshes with the control gear such that the pinion gear rotates as the control gear rotates, and a take-off gear meshes with the pinion gear such that the take-off gear rotates as the control gear rotates. A magnet coupled to the take-off gear is configured to rotate as the take-off gear rotates. A sensor is configured to sense rotation of the magnet, and an indicator is configured to indicate brake stroke of the piston rod.
B60T 17/22 - Devices for monitoring or checking brake systemsSignal devices
F16D 65/60 - Slack adjusters mechanical self-acting in one direction for adjusting excessive play for angular adjustment of two concentric parts of the brake control system
B60T 13/36 - Compressed-air systems direct, i.e. brakes applied directly by compressed air
F16D 51/24 - Brakes with outwardly-movable braking members co-operating with the inner surface of a drum or the like shaped as brake-shoes pivoted on a fixed or nearly-fixed axis with two brake-shoes extending in opposite directions from their pivots fluid actuated
F16D 65/28 - Actuating mechanisms for brakesMeans for initiating operation at a predetermined position arranged apart from the brake
A spring brake actuator is for braking a wheel of a vehicle and has a push rod assembly having a base located in a service brake chamber and a push rod extending from a service brake chamber. Pneumatic activation of the spring brake actuator causes the push rod to further extend out of the service brake chamber to thereby engage a wheel brake with a wheel of the vehicle. Pneumatic deactivation of the spring brake actuator causes the push rod to retract back into the service brake chamber to thereby disengage the wheel brake from the wheel of the vehicle. The push rod extends between a first end portion that is fixed to the base and an opposite, second end portion that is removably coupled to the first end portion so that the second end portion is manually attachable and detachable from the push rod assembly.
B60T 17/08 - Brake cylinders other than ultimate actuators
B60G 11/27 - Resilient suspensions characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of springs having fluid springs only, e.g. hydropneumatic springs wherein the fluid is a gas
F16D 65/22 - Actuating mechanisms for brakesMeans for initiating operation at a predetermined position arranged in or on the brake adapted for pressing members apart
F16D 65/28 - Actuating mechanisms for brakesMeans for initiating operation at a predetermined position arranged apart from the brake
A vehicle spring brake having a parking brake housing that defines a parking brake chamber and a service brake housing that defines a service brake chamber. A flexible membrane separates the parking brake chamber from the service brake chamber and flexes into and out of the service brake chamber based upon a pressure differential between an air pressure in the parking brake chamber and an air pressure in the service brake chamber. A pushrod extends out of the service brake housing when the flexible membrane flexes into the service brake chamber and retracts into the service brake housing when the flexible membrane flexes back out of the service brake chamber. A control valve controls the pressure differential to thereby control movement of the flexible membrane and the pushrod.
A vehicle braking system includes a piston rod extendable from an air brake chamber, a rotatable cam shaft, and a slack adjuster coupled to the piston rod and the cam shaft. The slack adjuster is configured to rotate the cam shaft as the piston rod extends. The slack adjuster has a control gear coupled to the cam shaft such that the control gear rotates as the cam shaft is rotated. A pinion gear meshes with the control gear such that the pinion gear rotates as the control gear rotates, and a take-off gear meshes with the pinion gear such that the take-off gear rotates as the control gear rotates. A magnet coupled to the take-off gear is configured to rotate as the take-off gear rotates. A sensor is configured to sense rotation of the magnet, and an indicator is configured to indicate brake stroke of the piston rod.
F16D 65/60 - Slack adjusters mechanical self-acting in one direction for adjusting excessive play for angular adjustment of two concentric parts of the brake control system
F16D 66/00 - Arrangements for monitoring working conditions of brakes, e.g. wear or temperature
13.
Vehicle braking systems with automatic slack adjusters
A vehicle braking system includes a piston rod extendable from an air brake chamber, a rotatable cam shaft, and a slack adjuster coupled to the piston rod and the cam shaft. The slack adjuster is configured to rotate the cam shaft as the piston rod extends. The slack adjuster has a control gear coupled to the cam shaft such that the control gear rotates as the cam shaft is rotated. A pinion gear meshes with the control gear such that the pinion gear rotates as the control gear rotates, and a take-off gear meshes with the pinion gear such that the take-off gear rotates as the control gear rotates. A magnet coupled to the take-off gear is configured to rotate as the take-off gear rotates. A sensor is configured to sense rotation of the magnet, and an indicator is configured to indicate brake stroke of the piston rod.
F16D 65/52 - Slack adjusters mechanical self-acting in one direction for adjusting excessive play
F16D 65/60 - Slack adjusters mechanical self-acting in one direction for adjusting excessive play for angular adjustment of two concentric parts of the brake control system
B60T 13/36 - Compressed-air systems direct, i.e. brakes applied directly by compressed air
F16D 51/24 - Brakes with outwardly-movable braking members co-operating with the inner surface of a drum or the like shaped as brake-shoes pivoted on a fixed or nearly-fixed axis with two brake-shoes extending in opposite directions from their pivots fluid actuated
F16D 65/28 - Actuating mechanisms for brakesMeans for initiating operation at a predetermined position arranged apart from the brake
Spring failure detection systems include an air brake cylinder having a spring axially extending therein, a sensor coupled to the air brake cylinder and configured to sense forces applied to the air brake cylinder, an indicator coupled to the sensor and configured to indicate failure of the spring based on the forces sensed by the sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to control the indicator. Methods for detecting failure of a spring are also disclosed.
Spring failure detection systems include an air brake cylinder having a spring axially extending therein, a sensor coupled to the air brake cylinder and configured to sense forces applied to the air brake cylinder, an indicator coupled to the sensor and configured to indicate failure of the spring based on the forces sensed by the sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to control the indicator. Methods for detecting failure of a spring are also disclosed.
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.
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.
A pneumatic actuator includes a housing defining a chamber. A diaphragm is positioned within the chamber. A rod member is attached to the diaphragm and is movable between a first position and a second position. A cam member is attached to the diaphragm and to the rod member. The cam member has a cam surface. A deflection rod has a first end portion and a second end portion, where the first end portion of the deflection rod is attached to the housing. A follower is attached to the second end portion of the deflection rod. The follower engages the cam surface of the cam member so as to urge the rod member towards the second position.
B60T 17/08 - Brake cylinders other than ultimate actuators
F15B 15/02 - Mechanical layout characterised by the means for converting the movement of the fluid-actuated element into movement of the finally-operated member
F16D 65/28 - Actuating mechanisms for brakesMeans for initiating operation at a predetermined position arranged apart from the brake
F16D 121/08 - Fluid pressure acting on a membrane-type actuator, e.g. for gas pressure
F16D 121/10 - Fluid pressure acting on a membrane-type actuator, e.g. for gas pressure for releasing a normally applied brake
A rotationally adjustable brake actuator includes a pressure housing with a circumferential rim, a non-pressure housing having a second circumferential rim, and a diaphragm disposed therebetween, where a retaining ring holds the respective housings against each other such that the first rim abuts the second rim, but where the respective housings are able to be rotated with respect to the other. Further, the retaining ring includes a radially-oriented hole and a stop pin that is inserted into the hole and engages the pressure housing to prevent further rotation.
A brake actuator can include a first housing part having a first peripheral wall, a second housing part having a second peripheral wall, and a flexible diaphragm located between the first housing part and the second housing part and compressed between a point of contact on the first housing part and a point of contact on the second housing part. At least one of the points of contact may protrude inwardly from the peripheral walls. The diaphragm may have a peripheral edge that does not extend radially beyond at least one of cylindrical profiles defined by the housing parts.
patents
