Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Joseph A Clemens

James A Redelman

A brake apply system having both a mechanical system and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system will supply the majority of braking effort. It is desirable to initiate the mechanical system slightly before the fluid brake system. If only light braking pressure is engaged upon the brake system of the operator, the brake system control valve will reduce the amount of flow to the brake apply piston. To provide for a more rapid filling, and therefore more consistent brake reaction times within the system, a valve mechanism responsive to the reaction torque within the locating brake members is provided to establish a direct fluid connection between the brake apply piston and the line pressure or main pressure of the transmission control.

Brake apply response control

A brake apply control system for a vehicle. The control system has a selectively operable mechanical brake apply portion and a selectively operable hydraulic brake apply portion. The mechanical brake apply portion includes an operator linkage for connecting the operator with a mechanical brake apply mechanism and a hydraulic piston and valve combination for providing a hydraulic feedback force to the operator. The hydraulic brake apply portion includes a source of hydraulic pressure, a brake apply valve for supplying a selective brake signal of variable intensity in response to operator input, a conduit system which connects the source of hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic piston and valve combination and which communicates the brake signal to the hydraulic piston and valve combination. The hydraulic piston and valve combination responds not only to the source of hydraulic pressure to provide a first feedback force to the operator, but also to the brake signal for providing a second feedback force to the operator that is proportional to the intensity of the brake signal.

Brake feedback valve

A brake cooling system for applying a pre-cooling bath to the brake packs of a vehicle through a brake coolant valve having an actuating piston chamber. The brake cooling system is responsive not only to the application of operating pressure to the brake pedal but also to release of the throttle. To operate the brake cooling system in response to the throttle setting, the brake cooling system utilizes a cut-off valve having a transfer chamber. A signal feed conduit communicates between the transfer chamber and the actuating piston chamber in the brake coolant valve. A computerized control member provides pressurized control fluid to the actuating chamber of a modulator control valve. The pressure of the control fluid is established in response to the throttle setting. A hydraulic timer is provided to interrupt the entry of the signal pressure into the transfer chamber after a predetermined period of time. The aforesaid cooling system is also cooperatively compatible with a customary brake apply valve that provides coolant to the brake packs in response to actuation of the brake pedal.

Throttle initiated, supplemental pre-cooling system for vehicular brakes

A self-adjustment mechanism for a brake system includes a first sprag clutch seated in a support. An eccentric serves as an inner race for the first sprag clutch and as an outer race for a second sprag clutch. A timing assembly serves as an inner race for the second sprag clutch and includes first and second spaced-apart pins projecting from a surface. An arm is pivotally connected to the timing assembly and positioned between the pins. A brake apply cam engages a first end of the arm so that it pivots with respect to the timing assembly. As the arm pivots, a brake apply piston is engaged. A pivot center of the arm is selectively rotated by the eccentric to maintain the phase relationhip of the cam and the brakepack as the plates wear.

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Brownsburg, IN, United States of America

Joseph A Clemens