Kelsey-hayes Company

Gary A Willi

Edward Nelson Fuller

Joseph A Starr

Gary R Knight

Roger E Doerfler

James M Cossins

William D Doyle

Brian T Reuter

A lip seal having an annular body, a contiguous annular shoulder extending axially therefrom, and a contiguous annular seal lip extending coaxially from the body and flaring away from the shoulder. Strengthening ribs extend axially along the shoulder, the shoulder is undercut to provide space into which areas of the annular seal lip can escape, with each such feature thereby promoting nonuniform deformation of the annular seal lip, ensuring a path for fluid to flow, and thereby minimizing the possibility of a seal lock-up condition occurring when pressure is applied to the back of the lip seal during brake release. Flow ribs axially coextensive with the strengthening ribs also extend along the body to create fluid flow paths therebetween. The radial dimensions of the lip seal are also reduced to allow a valve cartridge of given diameter to function in a smaller housing bore than that required when a conventional lip seal is used, thus facilitating the downsizing of a control valve module in which the valve cartridge is to be used.

Lip seal for antilock braking system isolation valve and similar valves

A hydraulic brake system metering valve includes an intergal brake switch having at least one pair of contacts. The brake switch contacts are movable between two positions. The combination valve includes a metering valve assembly having an axially shiftable metering rod. One end of the metering rod is adapted to operate the switch contacts. When pressure is initially applied to the brake system the metering rod shifts, causing the brake switch contacts to move from a first to a second position and thereby generate a first electrical signal. Upon release of the brake pressure, the metering rod shifts back, allowing the brake switch contacts to return to the first position and thereby generate a second electrical signal.

Brake system metering valve with a pressure actuated brake switch

A production functional test for hydraulic brake control and traction control units which utilizes compressed air as a test medium. Compressed air is applied to an external port of a hydraulic brake or traction control unit which includes valves, accumulators and a positive displacement pump driven by an electric motor connected by internal passageways. The air pressure at another external port is monitored while the various components are exercised according to a test sequence. The monitored pressure must be within predetermined limits at various points of the test to demonstrate that the brake control unit is functioning properly. Air flow rates and pump motor current are also measured at specific points in the test. The test method can identify incorrectly sized and installed components.

Method for air testing hydraulic brake components

A control valve for an anti-lock brake system includes a one-piece valve body having an inlet opening in one end and an outlet opening in an opposite end. The valve body is provided with four other openings extending into the body and defining separate associated chambers for respectively receiving an isolation valve assembly, a pressure differential switch assembly, a dump valve assembly and an accumulator assembly. The inlet, outlet, and the four internal chambers are connected by appropriate internal passageways. The control valve is used to selectively hold, dump, or reapply brake fluid pressure to selected wheel brakes to prevent lock-up of the associated wheels.

Control valve for vehicle anti-lock brake system

A dual hydraulic brake system incorporating a dual master cylinder for separately pressurizing the front and rear brakes of a vehicle. A device for varying the proportion of brake pressure applied to the front and rear brakes of a vehicle is positioned between the master cylinder and the front and rear brakes. The device includes a differential area piston for decreasing the proportion of brake pressure delivered to the rear brakes above a first preselected inlet pressure. Positioned within the differential area piston is a second valve assembly which is actuated in response to attainment of a second preselected brake pressure and which blends back the pressure in the rear brake system until it attains the pressure in the front brake system.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Gary A Willi