Trw Limited

Alliedsignal Inc.

Allied Corporation

Jerry L Cage

Michael E Gatt

Fredrick D Venable

Robert S Rudolph

Jonathan B Kulp

Brian S Olmstead

Thomas J Hoffman

An anti-skid control circuit for a wheeled vehicle has a connector (15) for connection to external circuits and a warning circuit contained within the control circuit and connector (15) for enabling a visual indicator (17) upon the occurrence of a loss of power to the anti-skid control circuit, a malfunction of the anti-skid control circuit, or disconnection of the connector (15) from the anti-skid control circuit. The anti-skid braking system warning circuit includes an electrically energizable the visual indicator (17) in the form of a lamp (17), and a first transistor (33) connected in series with a source of electrical energy. A control transistor (35) is conductive to shunt the base-emitter circuit of the first transistor (33) so long as the anti-skid braking system functions properly. When the control transistor (35) becomes nonconductive indicating a lack of the anti-skid function, the base-emitter circuit of the first transistor (33) is forward biased and the lamp (17) energizes. A two-part multiconductor (25, 31) of the connector (15) electrically connects the visual warning indicator (17) and the first transistor (33). The connector (15) includes a circuit for connecting directly the lamp (17) to the source of electrical energy whenever the multiconductors (25, 31) are separated.

Warning indicator for anti-skid braking system

A vehicle braking system equipped with an adaptive braking system with traction control to control drive wheel slip during vehicle acceleration includes a conventional vacuum brake booster having a vacuum chamber normally connected to engine manifold vacuum and an atmospheric chamber connected to the vacuum chamber when the brakes are released but which is connected to atmosphere when a brake application is effected. The traction control system includes a control unit which actuates a solenoid valve under wheel slip conditions during vehicle acceleration to cut off communication between the vacuum chamber and engine manifold vacuum. The traction control system also cuts off communication between the vacuum chamber and the atmospheric chamber and initiates communication of the atmospheric chamber directly to engine manifold vacuum, thereby effecting a brake application proportional to engine manifold vacuum, which varies as a function of engine power.

Brake vacuum modulator traction control with pressure source variable as

A steering apparatus for artificially establishing steering feel in a steering system not having a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steerable wheels. The apparatus includes a hydraulic steering motor connected to the steerable wheels. A steering wheel position sensor and a steerable wheel position sensor each produce an electrical signal respectively indicative of the steering wheel position and the position of the steerable wheels. An electronic control unit monitors the sensor signals and controls a solenoid operated directional control valve to steer the vehicle in a direction and at a steering rate in response to the monitored signals. An electromagnetic friction brake is connected to a support and to the input shaft and is controlled by the electronic control unit to provide steering feel. The friction brake includes an armature fixed to the support and a brake member secured for rotation with the input shaft via a spline conneciton. The brake member is movable toward the armature under the influence of the magnetic field generated by the armature. The degree of mechanical coupling between the armature and the brake member is proportional to the magnetic field strength. Steering feel is controlled by the electronic control unit in response to the difference between the desired steering direction, as determined from the steering wheel position sensor, and the actual steering direction, as determined from the steerable wheel position sensor.

Apparatus for establishing steering feel

The invention is a fail-safe circuit for an anti-lock braking system which includes a drive circuit connected between the output of an anti-lock control and an output connector thereof that also provides connection for the system's solenoid actuated modulating valves. An energizing relay for the solenoids is connected to receive the output from the drive circuit. Control signals for the energizing relay and solenoid actuated modulating valves are of opposite polarity such that a short circuit to either positive or ground will disable the anti-lock system and obviate false operation thereof.

Fail safe circuit for an anti-lock braking system modulator drive

A control apparatus for a power steering system comprises an electrically actuated flow control valve that varies the power assist available, a speed sensor for generating a signal indicative of vehicle speed, and a selector switch for selecting one of a plurality of power assist control options. The apparatus further includes a microprocessor that controls the electrically actuated flow control valve in response to the signal from the speed sensor and the setting of the selector switch. The apparatus also provides manually selectable power assist that is set by the operator and remains constant independent of variations in vehicle speed. A display provides a visual indication to the operator of the power assist available.

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Granger, IN, United States of America

Jerry L Cage