Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Thomas P Mathues

Donald L Parker

Ralph A Gordon

George Lusa

Gerald B Jacoby

A torque converter clutch has an engagement chamber and a disengagement chamber. The clutch engagement force, and therefore torque capacity of the clutch, is established by the pressure differential between the engagement and disengagement chambers. Fluid flow from the engagement chamber to the disengagement chamber is controlled by a sliding valve member operated on by opposing governor weights which are rotated with respective input and output members of the torque converter. The valve member can be controlled to effect complete clutch engagement if desired.

Controlled slip torque converter clutch

A torsional vibration damper has an input hub and an output hub drivingly connected by a plurality of elastomeric band support members and an elastomeric band. The support members are maintained in contact with at least one of the hubs by the elastomeric band. The band permits relative angular movement between the hubs in response to a camming action which is transmitted to the elastomeric band by the support members. The relative angular displacement between the input and output members increases as the base level of torque transmission increases while slight relative movements from the base torque level setting are operative to attenuate and dampen the torsional disturbances which are imposed on the input hub by a prime mover such as an internal combustion engine.

Torsional vibration damper for a friction clutch

A vibration damper is disposed between the input and output members of a friction clutch to reduce the transmission of torsional vibrations. The damper has a plurality of elastomeric bands each having one end connected to the clutch input and the other end connected to the clutch output. The bands are guided between the ends by a plurality of spaced guide members. As torque is transmitted between the clutch input and output, the bands will elongate and contract to permit relative movement between the clutch input and output thereby reducing the transmission of torsional vibration.

Vibration damper for a friction clutch

A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cylinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so arranged that in normal operation the vehicle operator obtains boosted brake actuating pressures by operation of the vacuum suspended booster which acts through the hydraulic booster mechanism without operating the hydraulic booster. When greater brake actuating pressures are required, as indicated by increased brake pedal force exerted by the operator, the vacuum booster reaches its limit or runout condition and the hydraulic booster is operated so as to continue the increase in master cylinder output pressure. If still further master cylinder output pressure is required when the hydraulic booster has reached its runout condition, the master cylinder is actuated manually through mechanical force transmitting elements which are parts of the booster sections. In one embodiment the assembly utilizes a single hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic booster section and for the master cylinder and brake apply circuitry. In another embodiment the hydraulic booster section is operated by a separate fluid circuit which is fluidly independent of the master cylinder and brake apply pressure circuitry.

Dual power brake booster

A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cylinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so arranged that in normal operation the vehicle operator obtains boosted brake actuating pressures by operation of the vacuum suspended booster which acts through the hydraulic booster mechanism without operating the hydraulic booster. When greater brake actuating pressures are required, as indicated by increased brake pedal force exerted by the operator, the vacuum booster reaches its limit or runout condition and the hydraulic booster is operated so as to continue the increase in master cylinder output pressure. If still further master cylinder output pressure is required when the hydraulic booster has reached its runout condition, the master cylinder is actuated manually through mechanical force transmitting elements which are parts of the booster sections. The vacuum suspended booster section is connected to the vehicle engine intake manifold as a vacuum source, and the hydraulic booster section is connected in the hydraulic power steering gear system so that hydraulic pressure for its operation is generated by the power steering gear pump. The assembly is so interconnected that the master cylinder can be operated maually when there is no or insufficient power pressure to operate either booster section. It may also be operated by actuating the vacuum suspended booster section, and, when no hydraulic pressure is available to the hydraulic booster section, this operation may be followed by manual actuation. It may be operated by initially actuating the hydraulic booster section when there is no vacuum available for initially operating the vacuum suspended booster section, followed by manual actuation as needed. In one embodiment the assembly utilizes a single hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic booster section and for the master cylinder and brake apply circuitry. In another embodiment the hydraulic booster section is operated by a separate fluid circuit which is fluidly independent of the master cylinder and brake apply pressure circuitry.

Dual power brake booster and method of generating brake actuating

Dual power brake booster system

A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cyclinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so arranged that in normal operation the vehicle operator obtains boosted brake actuating pressures by operation of the vacuum suspended booster which acts through the hydraulic booster mechanism without operating the hydraulic booster. When greater brake actuating pressures are required, as indicated by increased brake pedal force exerted by the operator, the vacuum booster reaches its limit or runout condition and the hydraulic booster is operated so as to continue the increase in master cylinder output pressure. If still further master cylinder output pressure is required when the hydraulic booster has reached its runout condition, the master cylinder is actuated manually through mechanical force transmitting elements which are parts of the booster sections. In one embodiment the assembly utilizes a single hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic booster section and for the master cylinder and brake apply circuitry. In another embodiment the hydraulic booster section is operated by a separate fluid circuit which is fluidly independent of the master cylinder and brake apply pressure circuitry.

Method of generating brake actuating pressure

A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cylinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so interconnected that the master cylinder can be operated manually when there is no or insufficient power pressure to operate either booster section. It may also be operated by actuating the vacuum suspended booster section, and, when no hydraulic pressure is available to the hydraulic booster section, this operation may be followed by manual actuation. It may be operated by initially actuating the hydraulic booster section when there is no vacuum available for initially operating the vacuum suspended booster section, followed by manual actuation as needed. In one embodiment the assembly utilizes a single hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic booster section and for the master cylinder and brake apply circuitry. In another embodiment the hydraulic booster section is operated by a separate fluid circuit which is fluidly independent of the master cylinder and brake apply pressure circuitry.

A wheel cylinder body is made from a constant cross section extrusion having a bore forming the working chamber of the wheel cylinder without further finishing of the chamber wall. A block-like step section, formed as part of the extrusion on the outside of the cylinder portion, is drilled and threaded for appropriate inlet and bleeder screw connections, and mounting holes. The inlet and bleeder screw holes intersect the bore so that they do not engage the sealing cups of the wheel cylinder pistons during wheel cylinder operation.

Wheel cylinder

A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section and a hydraulic booster section in series, and a master cylinder unit in series with the booster sections. During normal operation the vehicle operator obtains boosted brake actuating pressures from the master cylinder by operation of the hydraulic booster section throughout the normal stroke of both booster sections without operating the vacuum booster section. If additional brake actuating pressure is required after the hydraulic booster has reached its run-out condition, the master cylinder is actuated normally through mechanical force transmitting elements which are parts of the booster sections. If there is no hydraulic pressure available for hydraulic booster operation, the control valves of the booster sections move from the first range of operation which normally controls the hydraulic booster section to a second range of operation which actuates the vacuum booster section. If additional master cylinder output pressure is required when the vacuum booster section has reached its run-out condition, the master cylinder is actuated manually as before. A hydraulic pressure actuated blocking mechanism prevents control valve movement to actuate the vacuum booster section when the hydraulic booster section is normally operating.

A drum brake assembly for a vehicle wheel includes an axle housing flange extending upwardly and provided with an opening through which the wheel cylinder hydraulic line input and bleed fittings extend. A thin wall backing plate is secured to the flange and supports the wheel cylinder but does not take brake torque. The anchor pin is assembled through the backing plate directly to the flange, also fastening the backing plate to the flange at this point. This provides a precise anchor pin location with the anchor pin also acting as a braking unit mounting bolt, taking the place of two mounting bolts in common usage. A pair of backing plate mounting bolts generally opposite the anchor pin also secure the backing plate to the flange. The wheel cylinder is retained on the backing plate by a wire clip instead of the commonly used mounting bolts. The brake shoes, springs and other control elements are mounted on the backing plate in the usual manner.

Wheel brake assembly

The pistons, valves and failure warning switch mechanism contained within the bore of a master cylinder are preassembled in a container in kit form. The container provides for correct orientation of the parts in the master cylinder bore so that the failure warning switch actuating mechanism is properly aligned with the failure warning switch. The container is a tube of suitable material having a bore with the various internal parts of the master cylinder preassembled in it. Folding locating arms are attached near the forward end of the tube and normally held in a folded position by a cap and plug which closes the forward tube end. When the kit is ready to be used, the cap and plug are removed, the arms are unfolded, and the arm ends are aligned so that they extend through the bolt holes in the mounting ears of the master cylinder body. The tube bore is in alignment with the rear end of the master cylinder bore. The internal parts are then pushed out of the tube by a push rod and pass directly into the master cylinder bore. The parts may include a retainer which snaps into place to hold the parts in the bore when they are fully inserted. The warning switch can then be installed, as well as any retaining pins which may be required. The kit container is removed and may be discarded.

Package and kit for installation of master cylinder internal parts

A combination proportioner and a shuttle piston which when moved actuates a brake pressure loss warning switch. A proportioner piston has a spring preload which must be overcome by rear brake supply pressure before the proportioner is actuated. Upon brake release the lips of the switch actuating piston proportioner seal act as a valve to relieve rear brake pressure to the pressure at which the proportioner began to operate. The proportioner is deactivated upon front brake system pressure loss. The proportioner mechanism is so assembled that it can be utilized as an original installation or as a replacement module. In an installation where no proportioning action is required, the shuttle piston and head nut are installed without a proportioning valve. When a proportioning valve is required, a head nut with the proportioning mechanism preassembled therein is installed.

Modular proportioner

A dual master cylinder has a secondary piston which when actuated pressurizes fluid in two secondary chamber sections with one chamber section increasing pressure at a faster rate than the other as the piston is stroked. The piston has passage means therein interconnecting the two chamber sections, a proportioning valve mechanism in the passage means acting to proportion fluid pressure from the one chamber section to the other chamber section after a predetermined pressure differential exists in the two chamber sections. A shuttle piston also mounted in the secondary piston is responsive to pressure generated in the one secondary chamber section and in the primary pressurizing chamber between the primary and secondary master cylinder pistons. If a pressure loss is suffered in the primary pressurizing chamber during master cylinder actuation, the shuttle piston moves to render the proportioning valve mechanism inoperative and permit substantially unrestricted pressure flow from the one secondary chamber section to the other secondary chamber section and thence to the fluid brake circuit connected thereto. The shuttle piston also has suitable cams which actuate a cam follower arrangement mounted on the secondary piston which in turn actuates a warning switch mechanism when the shuttle piston is moved in either direction because of a pressure loss in one of the two chambers to which it is pressure connected. The primary pressurizing chamber has an outlet in which a metering valve mechanism is provided, the pressurized fluid then passing to another fluid brake circuit. A modified embodiment of the invention uses a proportioner piston between a single secondary pressurizing chamber and an outlet chamber, with one end of the shuttle piston also functioning to define the small diameter portion of the proportioner mechanism.

Master cylinder

A vehicle brake booster and master cylinder assembly has a vacuum suspended booster section which is controlled by movement of the vehicle brake pedal. A hydraulic booster section is in series with the vacuum suspended booster section, and a master cylinder unit is in series with the hydraulic booster section. The assembly is so arranged that in normal operation the vehicle operator obtains booster brake actuating pressures by operation of the vacuum suspended booster which acts through the hydraulic booster mechanism without operating the hydraulic booster. When greater brake actuating pressures are required, as indicated by increased brake pedal force exerted by the operator, the vacuum booster reaches its limit or run-out condition and the hydraulic booster is operated so as to continue the increase in master cylinder output pressure. If still further master cylinder output pressure is required when the hydraulic booster has reached its run-out condition, the master cylinder is actuated manually through mechanical force transmitting elements which are parts of the booster sections. The vacuum suspended booster section is connected to the vehicle engine intake manifold as a vacuum source, and the hydraulic booster section is connected in the hydraulic power steering gear system so that hydraulic pressure for its operation is generated by the power steering gear pump. The assembly is so interconnected that the master cylinder can be operated manually when there is no or insufficient power pressure to operate either booster section. It may also be operated by actuating the vacuum suspended booster section, and, when no hydraulic pressure is available to the hydraulic booster section, this operation may be followed by manual actuation. It may be operated by initially actuating the hydraulic booster section when there is no vacuum available for initially operating the vacuum suspended booster section, followed by manual actuation as needed. In one embodiment the assembly utilizes a single hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic booster section and for the master cylinder and brake apply circuitry. In another embodiment the hydraulic booster section is operated by a separate fluid circuit which is fluidly independent of the master cylinder and brake apply pressure circuitry.

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Miamisburg, OH, United States of America

Thomas P Mathues