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US4719796A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for testing a vehicle anti-skid brake system

Assignee: ZF Active Safety US Inc
•
Filing: 1987-01-27
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Granted: 1988-01-19
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Expires: 2007-01-27
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Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for verifying proper operation of a vehicle anti-lock braking system includes pressure measuring devices which are releasably attached to an exterior surface portion of the flexible wheel brake hoses. Each measuring device senses changes in the external diameter of the associated hose, which changes are representative of fluid pressure changes within the hose. The valving in the braking system is tested by applying fluid pressure to the system, operating the associated valves in a predetermined sequence, and monitoring the pressure changes in the associated wheel brake hoses to determine whether the valving is operating properly.

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard L. Zenker

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 20:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M17/00; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/0001; G01L9/0002; B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22; B60T17/221; B60T8/00; B60T8/32; B60T8/88; B60T8/885; B60T8/90; B60T8/92; B60T8/94; G01L5/00; G01L5/28; B60T2270/00; B60T2270/40; B60T2270/406

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 110 words
A method of testing a vehicle anti-skid braking system wherein the braking system includes at least one valve means located in a brake fluid line for controlling the application of fluid pressure to a selected wheel brake, said method comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the fluid pressure in a portion of the brake line located between the valve means and the selected wheel brake; (b) supplying pressurized brake fluid to the selected wheel brake through the valve means; (c) operating the valve means in a predetermined sequence; and (d) simultaneously with step (c), monitoring the pressure sensed in step (a) to determine whether the anti-skid braking system is operable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 110 words
A method of testing a vehicle anti-skid braking system wherein the braking system includes at least one valve means located in a brake fluid line for controlling the application of fluid pressure to a selected wheel brake, said method comprising the steps of: (a) sensing the fluid pressure in a portion of the brake line located between the valve means and the selected wheel brake; (b) supplying pressurized brake fluid to the selected wheel brake through the valve means; (c) operating the valve means in a predetermined sequence; and (d) simultaneously with step (c), monitoring the pressure sensed in step (a) to determine whether the anti-skid braking system is operable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 56 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) is performed by attaching a measuring device to an exterior portion of the brake line, said device being responsive to changes in dimension in the exterior portion of the brake line, the exterior dimension being representative of the fluid pressure in said portion of the brake line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein step (a) is performed with said measuring device isolated from direct contact with the brake fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein step (a) includes the step of releasably attaching said measuring device to the brake line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 56 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein the vehicle anti-skid braking system includes a plurality of valve means for controlling the application of fluid pressure to a plurality of selected wheel brakes, and wherein step (a) includes the step of releasably attaching a separate measuring device between each of said valve means a selected wheel brake.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 43 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the anti-skid brake system includes a flexible brake hose connected between a metallic brake line and the selected wheel brake, and step (a) includes the step of attaching a measuring device to the flexible brake hose.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) is performed by depressing a vehicle brake pedal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 63 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the vehicle anti-skid braking system includes a central control unit for operating the valve means, and said method includes, prior to step (c), the step of programming a predetermined diagnostic routine in the central control unit and step (c) includes the step of operating said diagnostic routine to operate the valve means in said predetermined sequence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 50 words
The method according to claim 8 including, prior to step (a), the step of coupling a diagnostic computer to the central control unit, and step (d) includes the step of monitoring the pressure sensed in step (a) with the diagnostic computer to determine whether the anti-skid braking system is operable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein step (a) includes the step of releasably attaching a measuring device to the conduit.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3866980A Cited
US4192180A Cited
US4389710A Cited
US4440015A Cited
US4520663A Cited
US4653815A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-01-18 1991-07-20 1992-01-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-01-18 1995-07-20 1996-01-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-01-18 1999-07-20 2000-01-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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