Exhaust brake

Claim 2

In an engine-driven vehicle having an exhaust brake of the type wherein a brake valve is connected in the engine exhaust line and is operable to control fluid flow therethrough the combination comprising a vacuum actuated switch means actuable to provide a signal, means operatively coupling said vacuum actuated switch means with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet such that said vacuum actuated switch means is actuated by a preselected magnitude of engine vacuum developed at the air-fuel mixture inlet and representative of a predetermined engine operating condition to provide said signal and means operatively coupling said vacuum actuated switch means with said brake valve such that the brake valve is closed in response to said signal whereby the brake valve is closed in response to said predetermined engine operating condition, said means operatively coupling said vacuum actuated switch means with the brake valve comprising a solenoid operable in response to said signal and means operatively coupling said solenoid with the brake valve such that the brake valve is closed in response to operation of said solenoid, said last-mentioned means comprising a control valve means and a source of pressure fluid, said control valve means being operable in response to operation of said solenoid for causing pressure fluid to be conducted from said source to said brake valve, said brake valve being closed in response to application of pressure fluid thereto, said source of pressure fluid being exhaust line fluid and said brake valve including an actuator conduit means communicating the engine exhaust line upstream of said brake valve to said actuator, said control valve means being disposed in said conduit means.

Claim 3

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, bias means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position such that with the engine not running, said valving means is biased to the restricting position and control means operative when the engine is running for overcoming the bias imposed on said valving means by said bias means and causing the valving means to operate to the non-restricting position so long as engine intake vacuum at the air-fuel mixture inlet does not exceed a predetermined magnitude but, when engine intake vacuum increases beyond said predetermined magnitude, said control means causes said valving means to operate to the restricting position.

Claim 4

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, bias means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position such that with the engine not running, said valving means is biased to the restricting position and control means operative when the engine is running for overcoming the bias imposed on said valving means by said bias means and causing the valving means to operate to the non-restricting position so long as engine intake vacuum at the air-fuel mixture inlet does not exceed a predetermined magnitude but, when engine intake vacuum increases beyond said predetermined magnitude, said control means causes said valving means to operate to the restricting position.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 2 wherein said bias means comprises spring means.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 2 wherein said control means comprises fluid actuated actuating means for operating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 4 wherein said fluid actuated actuating means comprises a fluid cylinder, said cylinder comprising a bore and a piston movable within said bore between first and second axial positions, means operatively coupling said piston with said valving means such that when said piston moves from the first position to the second position said valving means moves from the restricting position to the non-restricting position.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 5 wherein said spring means comprises a spring biasing said piston toward the first axial position.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 5 wherein said control means includes vacuum passage means connecting said bore with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet, control valve means in said vacuum passage means for controlling conduction of engine vacuum to said bore, said passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine vacuum to said bore said piston is operated to its second axial position.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 5 wherein said control means includes exhaust fluid passage means connecting said bore with said valve inlet, control valve means in said exhaust fluid passage means for controlling the conduction of exhaust fluid to said bore, said passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct exhaust fluid to said bore said piston is operated to its first axial position.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 5 wherein said control means includes vacuum passage means connecting said bore with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet, exhaust fluid passage means connecting said bore with said valve inlet and control valve means operatively associated with said two passage means for controlling the conduction of vacuum and exhaust fluid to said bore, said two passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine vacuum to said bore, said piston is operated to its second axial position and when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine exhaust fluid to said bore, said piston is operated to its first axial position.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 4 wherein said control means includes vacuum passage means communicating said fluid actuated actuating means with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet whereby engine vacuum may be conducted to said actuating means for operating said valving means to the non-restricting position.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 10 wherein said control means includes control valve means in said vacuum passage means for controlling conduction of engine vacuum to said actuating means.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 4 wherein said control means includes exhaust fluid passage means communicating said valve inlet with said actuating means whereby exhaust fluid may be conducted to said actuating means for operating said valving means to the restricting position.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 12 wherein said control means includes a control valve means in said exhaust fluid passage means for controlling conduction of exhaust fluid to said actuating means.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 2 further including vent passage means communicating the engine air-fuel mixture inlet to atmosphere, vent valve means in said vent passage means for controllably venting the engine air-fuel mixture inlet to atmosphere, said control means including means for opening said vent valve means during operation of said valving means to the restricting position whereby the air-fuel mixture inlet is vented to atmosphere to reduce vacuum therein while the exhaust brake is braking the engine.

Claim 17

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions, means forming a vacuum passage from the air-fuel mixture inlet to said actuating means, means forming an exhaust fluid passage from said valve inlet to said actuating means and control valve means for controlling the application of vacuum and exhaust fluid to said acTuating means such that said valving means is operated to one of its positions when vacuum is supplied to said actuating means and to the other of its positions when exhaust fluid is supplied to said actuating means.

Claim 18

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions, means forming a vacuum passage from the air-fuel mixture inlet to said actuating means, means forming an exhaust fluid passage from said valve inlet to said actuating means and control valve means for controlling the application of vacuum and exhaust fluid to said acTuating means such that said valving means is operated to one of its positions when vacuum is supplied to said actuating means and to the other of its positions when exhaust fluid is supplied to said actuating means.

Claim 19

The combination of claim 15 wherein said actuating means comprises means for actuating said valving means to the non-restricting position when vacuum is supplied to said actuating means and means for operating said valving means to the restricting position when pressure fluid is supplied to said actuating means.

Claim 20

For an internal combustion engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust line, an exhaust brake valve adapted to be connected in the exhaust line for controlling engine back pressure, said exhaust brake valve comprising in combination means forming an exhaust fluid passage through the valve, a valving member within said passage and movable between restricting and non-restricting positions to control flow through said passage, means operatively coupling said valving member with said air-fuel mixture inlet such that said valving member is controllably operated in response to engine vacuum developed at said air-fuel mixture inlet, and means forming a restricted passage shunting said valving member to provide a shunt path for engine exhaust through the valve which is independent of the engine back pressure.

Claim 21

For an internal combustion engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust line, an exhaust brake valve adapted to be connected in the exhaust line for controlling engine back pressure, said exhaust brake valve comprising in combination means forming an exhaust fluid passage through the valve, a valving member within said passage and movable between restricting and non-restricting positions to control flow through said passage, means operatively coupling said valving member with said air-fuel mixture inlet such that said valving member is controllably operated in response to engine vacuum developed at said air-fuel mixture inlet, and means forming a restricted passage shunting said valving member to provide a shunt path for engine exhaust through the valve which is independent of the engine back pressure.

Claim 22

The combination of claim 17 including adjustment means for adjusting the restriction of said restricted passage.

Claim 23

The combination of claim 18 wherein said adjustment means comprises a needle valve.

Claim 24

The engine exhaust brake of claim 17 wherein said exhaust brake valve includes a housing containing said valving member, said means forming said restricted passage shunting said valving member being provided in said housing.

Claim 25

An engine exhaust brake for connection in the exhaust line of an engine comprising a valving member operable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine to thereby control the back pressure applied to the engine, actuating means for operating said valving member from the non-restricting position to the restricting position in response to application of pressure fluid to said actuating means, conduit means communicating the engine exhaust line upstream of said valving member to said actuating means, and control means operable in response to a predetermined engine operating condition to cause engine exhaust fluid to be supplied through said conduit means to said acutating means and thereby operate said valving member to the restricting position.

Claim 26

An engine exhaust brake for connection in the exhaust line of an engine comprising a valving member operable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine to thereby control the back pressure applied to the engine, actuating means for operating said valving member from the non-restricting position to the restricting position in response to application of pressure fluid to said actuating means, conduit means communicating the engine exhaust line upstream of said valving member to said actuating means, and control means operable in response to a predetermined engine operating condition to cause engine exhaust fluid to be supplied through said conduit means to said acutating means and thereby operate said valving member to the restricting position.

Claim 27

The engine exhaust brake of claim 21 wherein said control means is disposed in said conduit means.

Claim 28

The engine exhaust brake of claim 22 further including means for communicating engine manifold vacuum to said actuating means for causing said actuating means to operate said valving member to the non-restricting position.

Claim 29

The engine exhaust brake of claim 21 further including bias means for biasing said valving member toward the restricting position when the engine is not running.

Claim 30

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, said valving means being normally biased toward the restricting position with the engine not running and control means operative when the engine is running for overcoming the bias imposed on said valving means and causing the valving means to operate to the non-restricting position so long as engine intake vacuum aT the air-fuel mixture inlet does not exceed a predetermined magnitude but, when engine intake vacuum increases beyond said predetermined magnitude, said control means causes said valving means to operate to the restricting position.

Claim 31

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, said valving means being normally biased toward the restricting position with the engine not running and control means operative when the engine is running for overcoming the bias imposed on said valving means and causing the valving means to operate to the non-restricting position so long as engine intake vacuum aT the air-fuel mixture inlet does not exceed a predetermined magnitude but, when engine intake vacuum increases beyond said predetermined magnitude, said control means causes said valving means to operate to the restricting position.

Claim 32

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuated means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position, vacuum passage means communicating said fluid actuated actuating means with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet whereby engine vacuum may be conducted to said actuating means for operating said valving means, and control valve means in said vacuum passage means for controlling conduction of engine vacuum to said actuating means, said actuating means comprising means responsive to application of vacuum to said actuating means by said control valve means for moving said valving means to the non-restricting position.

Claim 33

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuated means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position, vacuum passage means communicating said fluid actuated actuating means with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet whereby engine vacuum may be conducted to said actuating means for operating said valving means, and control valve means in said vacuum passage means for controlling conduction of engine vacuum to said actuating means, said actuating means comprising means responsive to application of vacuum to said actuating means by said control valve means for moving said valving means to the non-restricting position.

Claim 34

The combination of claim 26 including exhaust fluid passage means communicating said valve inlet with said actuating means and additional control valve means in said exhaust fluid passage means for controlling the conduction of exhaust fluid to said actuating means whereby exhaust fluid may be conducted to said actuating means for operating said valving means.

Claim 35

The combination of claim 27 wherein said first-named control valve means and said additional control valve means are operable in unison such that exhaust fluid and engine vacuum are selectively individually applied to said actuating means.

Claim 36

The combination of claim 27 wherein said actuating means is arranged to operate said valving means to the restricting position in response to conduction of exhaust fluid to said actuating means.

Claim 37

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position and exhaust fluid passage means communicating said valve inlet with said actuating means whereby exhaust fluid may be conducted to said actuating means for operating said valving means.

Claim 38

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position and exhaust fluid passage means communicating said valve inlet with said actuating means whereby exhaust fluid may be conducted to said actuating means for operating said valving means.

Claim 39

The combination of claim 30 including control valve means in said exhaust fluid passage means for controlling conduction of exhaust fluid to said actuating means.

Claim 40

The combination of claim 31 wherein said actuating means comprises means responsive to application of exhaust fluid to said actuating means by said control valve means for moving said valving means to the restricting position.

Claim 41

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accorDance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position, said fluid actuated actuating means comprising a fluid cylinder, said cylinder comprising a bore and a piston movable within said bore between first and second axial positions, means operatively coupling said piston with said valving means such that when said piston moves from the first position to the second position said valving means moves from the restricting position to the non-restricting position, said actuating means comprising vacuum passage means connecting said bore with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet, and control valve means in said vacuum passage means for controlling conduction of engine vacuum to said bore, said passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine vacuum to said bore said piston is operated to its second axial position.

Claim 42

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accorDance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position, said fluid actuated actuating means comprising a fluid cylinder, said cylinder comprising a bore and a piston movable within said bore between first and second axial positions, means operatively coupling said piston with said valving means such that when said piston moves from the first position to the second position said valving means moves from the restricting position to the non-restricting position, said actuating means comprising vacuum passage means connecting said bore with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet, and control valve means in said vacuum passage means for controlling conduction of engine vacuum to said bore, said passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine vacuum to said bore said piston is operated to its second axial position.

Claim 43

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position, said fluid actuated actuating means comprising a fluid cylinder, said cylinder comprising a bore and a piston movable within said bore between first and second axial positions, means operatively coupling said piston with said valving means such that when said piston moves from the first position to the second position said valving means moves from the restricting position to the non-restricting position, said actuating means comprising exhaust fluid passage means connecting said bore with said valve inlet, control valve means in said exhaust fluid-passage means for controlling the conduction of exhaust fluid to said bore, said passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct exhaust fluid to said bore said piston is operated to its first axial position.

Claim 44

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position, said fluid actuated actuating means comprising a fluid cylinder, said cylinder comprising a bore and a piston movable within said bore between first and second axial positions, means operatively coupling said piston with said valving means such that when said piston moves from the first position to the second position said valving means moves from the restricting position to the non-restricting position, said actuating means comprising exhaust fluid passage means connecting said bore with said valve inlet, control valve means in said exhaust fluid-passage means for controlling the conduction of exhaust fluid to said bore, said passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct exhaust fluid to said bore said piston is operated to its first axial position.

Claim 45

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position, said fluid actuated actuating means comprising a fluid cylinder, said cylinder comprising a bore and a piston movable within said bore between first and second axial positions, means operatively coupling said piston with said valving means such that when said piston moves from the first position to the second position said valving means moves from the restricting position to the non-restricting position, said actuating means comprising vacuum passage means connecting said bore with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet, exhaust fluid passage means connecting said bore with said valve inlet and control valve means operatively associated with said two passage means for controlling the conduction of vacuum and exhaust fluid to said bore, said two passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine vacuum to said bore, said piston is operated to its second axial position and when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine exhaust fluid to said bore, said piston is operated to its first axial position.

Claim 46

In an exhaust brake for an engine having an air-fuel mixture inlet and an exhaust fluid outlet, the combination comprising an exhaust brake valve for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid from the engine exhaust fluid outlet in accordance with engine operating conditions, said valve comprising an inlet adapted to be connected to the engine exhaust fluid outlet, an outlet, valving means movable between restricting and non-restricting positions for controlling the flow of exhaust fluid through said valve between said valve inlet and said valve outlet, actuating means comprising fluid actuating means for actuating said valving means between the restricting and non-restricting positions and bias means comprising spring means for forcibly biasing said valving means toward the restricting position, said fluid actuated actuating means comprising a fluid cylinder, said cylinder comprising a bore and a piston movable within said bore between first and second axial positions, means operatively coupling said piston with said valving means such that when said piston moves from the first position to the second position said valving means moves from the restricting position to the non-restricting position, said actuating means comprising vacuum passage means connecting said bore with the engine air-fuel mixture inlet, exhaust fluid passage means connecting said bore with said valve inlet and control valve means operatively associated with said two passage means for controlling the conduction of vacuum and exhaust fluid to said bore, said two passage means being connected to said bore such that when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine vacuum to said bore, said piston is operated to its second axial position and when said control valve means is operated to conduct engine exhaust fluid to said bore, said piston is operated to its first axial position.