This invention relates to release/relief valves, trailer brake release valve, and apparatus for equalizing pressure and absorbing shock, as they pertain to pneumatic brake systems for buses, trucks, and trucks/semi-trailers, singular and in multiple combinations in automotive air brake installations; and more particularly to a differential pressure regulator quick release valve that employs a dilivery channel for directing and centralizing fluid pressure differentials to its base housing and the same delivery channel directing the exhaust of fluid pressure to its quick release ports.
An improved brake equalizer apparatus for equalizing fluid pressure and damping shock waves or pressure surges in fluid lines of a fluid pressure-actuated system, such as a hydraulic brake system. The apparatus has a shorter reaction time than a conventional brake equalizer, and can be manufactured with smaller overall length and weight. An important feature of the apparatus which results in reduced brake equalizer reaction time is an improved brake equalizer piston. The piston of the invention is shorter than a conventional brake equalizer piston (the ratio of the inventive piston's length to the length of the shock absorber which it abuts is substantially less than 0.5, and is preferably equal to about 0.23). The piston of the invention is also lighter than a conventional brake equalizer piston, and is preferably made of a hard, non-compressible, self-lubricating material. The brake equalizer of the invention does not employ any O-ring or other seal between the piston and the surrounding housing along which the piston slides, thus eliminating friction that would otherwise exist between such a seal and the housing as the piston slides along the housing.
A simplified and less-costly quick-release valve with controlled hysteresis for a vehicle spring-set air-release parking brake system lengthens the operating life of the valve, reduces energy consumption, extends compressor life and alleviates noise problems. The valve comprises a valve body and a plurality of internal passageways each of which is selectively connectable to at least another of the passageways. The selective connection is controlled by an integrally-formed flexural spring-brake-control release diaphragm within the valve body and disposed to either isolate or selectively connect the passageways depending on the relative pressure conditions within the passageways and respective areas of the diaphragm exposed to the pressures. The components are designed so that the normal variations or cycling of the supply or intake pressurized air does not cause cycling of the pressure in the spring-brake chambers.
A valve for use in a pneumatic fluid system, such as an air brake system, is disclosed. The valve provides for fast release of pneumatic fluid from the delivery cavity through the exhaust port upon cessation of flow from the pneumatic fluid reservoir through the supply cavity. The valve includes a flow diverter that restricts fluid flow from the delivery cavity to the supply cavity when pneumatic fluid pressure in the supply cavity is less than that in the delivery cavity with minimal restriction of flow from the supply cavity to the delivery cavity when pressure in the supply cavity is greater than in the delivery cavity.
Pneumatic medium in a vehicle brake system is applied against one side of a flexible membrane (48) folded about an end portion of a piston (40) resiliently positioned against a coil spring (36). Pressure peaks in the pneumatic medium are damped by the membrane motion against the spring-loaded piston (40) preventing so-called lockup.
A fluid damping system for brake fluid disposed in a brake line on a vehicle in which the damping system converts incompressible fluid pulses into damped energy by an accumulator which dissipates the energy to remove the pressure pulses from the fluid system.
