US3856362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronically controlled solenoid regulated servomotor
Assignee: Bendix Corp
•
Filing: 1973-05-31
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An electrical circuit for operating a solenoid controlled servomotor which supplies an operational fluid under pressure to the wheel brakes of a trailer in response to an actuation signal which is transmitted to the wheel brakes of a tow vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 D Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T8/00; B60T8/17; B60T8/1701; B60T8/1708; B60T8/18; B60T8/1887
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
In a tow vehicle-trailer braking system, electrical means for generating an operational signal from an actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle to regulate the operation of a servomotor in the trailer which provides an output force to actuate the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle, said electrical means comprising: first transducer means for converting said actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle into a corresponding first electrical signal; weight simulation means for modifying the effects of the actuation signal in response to a change in the mass of the trailer to maintain optimum braking between the tow vehicle and the trailer; adjustable means for altering the effective operating range of the first electrical signal to establish a time limit between actuation of the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle and the trailer; transistor means connected to said first transducer means for amplifying said first electrical signal; dampening means for uniformly suppressing said electrical signal upon termination of the actuation signal to correspondingly inhibit actuation of the wheel brakes of the trailer; solenoid means connected to said transistor means for controlling the flow of a first fluid and a second fluid in response to the amplified electrical signal to create a pressure differential in the servomotor and sequentially actuate the wheel brakes of the trailer with the tow vehicle; and holding means responsive to an operator for generating a first switching signal to continually actuate the wheel brakes of the trailer independent of said actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a tow vehicle-trailer braking system, electrical means for generating an operational signal from an actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle to regulate the operation of a servomotor in the trailer which provides an output force to actuate the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle, said electrical means comprising: first transducer means for converting said actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle into a corresponding first electrical signal; weight simulation means for modifying the effects of the actuation signal in response to a change in the mass of the trailer to maintain optimum braking between the tow vehicle and the trailer; adjustable means for altering the effective operating range of the first electrical signal to establish a time limit between actuation of the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle and the trailer; transistor means connected to said first transducer means for amplifying said first electrical signal; dampening means for uniformly suppressing said electrical signal upon termination of the actuation signal to correspondingly inhibit actuation of the wheel brakes of the trailer; solenoid means connected to said transistor means for controlling the flow of a first fluid and a second fluid in response to the amplified electrical signal to create a pressure differential in the servomotor and sequentially actuate the wheel brakes of the trailer with the tow vehicle; and holding means responsive to an operator for generating a first switching signal to continually actuate the wheel brakes of the trailer independent of said actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tow vehicle-trailer braking system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical means further includes: snubbing means responsive to an operator for generating a second switching signal to intermittently actuate the wheel brakes of the trailer independent of said actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The tow vehicle-trailer braking system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical means further includes: sensor means located in said trailer for determining any adverse sway therein, said sensors generating a second switching signal to automatically actuate the wheel brakes of the trailer independent of said actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The tow vehicle-trailer braking system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said solenoid means includes: valve means sequentially moved by energization of coil means in the solenoid means to initially interrupt simultaneous communication of the first fluid across a wall in the servomotor and subsequently regulate the communication of the second fluid to one side of the wall and create said pressure differential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
The tow vehicle-trailer braking system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical means further includes: second transducer means for converting the actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the trailer into a second electrical signal; and comparator means connected to the first transducer and the second transducer for determining the relationship between the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal to provide a corrective signal to the solenoid means to maintain a sequential operation between the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle and the trailer brakes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
The tow vehicle-trailer braking system, as recited in claim 5, wherein said solenoid means includes: a source of electrical energy maintained at a predetermined level through a connection with the tow vehicle; a first contact connected to said source of electrical energy; a second contact connected to said coil means of the solenoid means; and separator means attached to said tow vehicle and located between said first and second contacts, said first and second contacts engaging each other upon removal of the separator means to generate a fourth switching signal to automatically actuate the trailer brakes independent of said actuation signal for the wheel brakes of the tow vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |