Control valve for hydraulic braking system
First Claim
1. A braking system for a towed vehicle having brakes and configured to be coupled to a towing vehicle of the type having brakes and means for providing a brake signal indicative of brake actuation, the braking system comprising:
- a hydraulic pump configured to receive the towing vehicle brake signal, for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid for the towed vehicle brakes in response to actuation of the towing vehicle brakes;
hydraulic valve means operatively connecting the hydraulic pump to the towed vehicle brakes for hydraulic fluid flow; and
a piston in the hydraulic valve means responsive to forces between the towed and towing vehicles, for modulating hydraulic fluid flow from the hydraulic pump to the towed vehicle brakes as a function of forces between the towed and towing vehicles.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hydraulic braking system for a towed vehicle provides actuation of the hydraulic pump motor of the towed vehicle responsive to an electrical switch which is closed upon application of the brake pedal of the towing vehicle. However, even after actuation of the hydraulic pump, the towed vehicle brakes are only able to be applied in response to sensed relative movement of the towing and towed vehicle toward each other. A break-away switch sets the trailer brakes in the event of accidental separation of the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle. The control valve may be used in other situations to control a hydraulic pump and associated hydraulic braking system.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A braking system for a towed vehicle having brakes and configured to be coupled to a towing vehicle of the type having brakes and means for providing a brake signal indicative of brake actuation, the braking system comprising:
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a hydraulic pump configured to receive the towing vehicle brake signal, for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid for the towed vehicle brakes in response to actuation of the towing vehicle brakes; hydraulic valve means operatively connecting the hydraulic pump to the towed vehicle brakes for hydraulic fluid flow; and a piston in the hydraulic valve means responsive to forces between the towed and towing vehicles, for modulating hydraulic fluid flow from the hydraulic pump to the towed vehicle brakes as a function of forces between the towed and towing vehicles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A control valve comprising:
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a block housing formed with a fluid flow channel between a fluid flow inlet and a fluid flow outlet, the channel further including; (a) first fluid flow controlling means responsive to external pressure for modulating flow between the inlet and outlet, and (b) second fluid flow controlling means responsive to a removable break-away pin for preventing flow between the inlet and the outlet when the break-away pin is removed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A hydraulic brake system for a towed vehicle having a brake and configured to be connected to a towing vehicle of the type having a brake and an electrical system for providing a brake signal upon actuation of the brake, the towed vehicle brake system including:
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a tank for hydraulic fluid; an electric pump configured for connection to the towing vehicle electrical system and hydraulically connected between the tank and brake, for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid in response to the brake signal; and a pressure modulating valve having a modulating fluid flow path hydraulically connected between the electric pump and the tank, and a modulator piston responsive to forces between the towed and towing vehicles for modulating the flow of pressurized fluid through the modulating fluid flow path and thereby restricting the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the tank and causing the brake to be actuated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification