Combination inversion and relay or quick release valve assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle brake system, comprising:
- at least one brake actuator having a service chamber and an emergency chamber, the service chamber being pressurized to apply a braking force, the emergency chamber being pressurized to hold off a braking element that otherwise provides an emergency braking force;
a pressure source that provides fluid pressure to the brake actuator to control the application of a braking force;
a single combination valve coupling the brake actuator emergency chamber to the pressure source, the combination valve having an inlet coupled to the pressure source and an outlet coupled to the emergency chamber, the valve including a moving member that moves responsive to pressure in the system such that the combination valve is operative as an inversion valve and a relay valve, the moving member moving responsive to pressure at the inlet from a first position where pressure is exhausted from the emergency chamber to a second position where the emergency chamber is pressurized; and
wherein the combination valve includes a second inlet in communication with the service chamber and wherein a failure of pressure at the second inlet during a braking application results in movement of the moving member from the second position toward the first position such that pressure is released from the emergency chamber.
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Abstract
A combination valve assembly provides dual functionality within a single valve housing. In one example, the valve operates as a combination inversion valve and quick release valve. In another example, the combination valve operates as an inversion valve and a relay valve. The valve is particularly useful for controlling the operation of a spring applied, air release brake actuator in a heavy vehicle braking arrangement. A valve designed according to this invention preferably also provides anti-compounding features.
46 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle brake system, comprising:
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at least one brake actuator having a service chamber and an emergency chamber, the service chamber being pressurized to apply a braking force, the emergency chamber being pressurized to hold off a braking element that otherwise provides an emergency braking force;
a pressure source that provides fluid pressure to the brake actuator to control the application of a braking force;
a single combination valve coupling the brake actuator emergency chamber to the pressure source, the combination valve having an inlet coupled to the pressure source and an outlet coupled to the emergency chamber, the valve including a moving member that moves responsive to pressure in the system such that the combination valve is operative as an inversion valve and a relay valve, the moving member moving responsive to pressure at the inlet from a first position where pressure is exhausted from the emergency chamber to a second position where the emergency chamber is pressurized; and
wherein the combination valve includes a second inlet in communication with the service chamber and wherein a failure of pressure at the second inlet during a braking application results in movement of the moving member from the second position toward the first position such that pressure is released from the emergency chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A vehicle brake system, comprising:
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at least one brake actuator having a service chamber and an emergency chamber, the service chamber being pressurized to apply a braking force, the emergency chamber being pressurized to hold off a braking element that otherwise provides an emergency braking force;
a pressure source that provides fluid pressure to the brake actuator to control the application of a braking force;
a single combination valve coupling the brake actuator emergency chamber to the pressure source, the combination valve having an inlet coupled to the pressure source and an outlet coupled to the emergency chamber, the valve including a moving member that moves responsive to pressure in the system such that the combination valve is operative as an inversion valve and a relay valve;
wherein the moving member comprises a piston that moves responsive to pressure at the inlet from a first position where pressure is exhausted from the emergency chamber to a second position where the emergency chamber is pressurized; and
a biasing member that biases the moving member into a position where the emergency chamber is exhausted to atmosphere. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A combination valve for use in a vehicle brake system, comprising:
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a valve housing having at least a first inlet adapted to be coupled to a pressure source of the brake system and at least one outlet adapted to be coupled to an emergency chamber of a primary brake actuator in the system and an exhaust port that is adapted to couple the emergency chamber to atmosphere;
a pressure control member within the valve housing that is biased into an exhaust position to couple the outlet to the exhaust port;
a piston housed within the valve housing such that the piston is moveable within the housing responsive to pressure at the first inlet to move the pressure control member out of the exhaust position such that pressure from the pressure source can be supplied through the outlet to the emergency chamber of the primary brake actuator; and
including a primary inlet that is adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with a service brake chamber of the primary brake actuator, a secondary inlet that is adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with a secondary brake actuator in the system, and wherein the piston includes a flange that is positioned between the primary inlet and the secondary inlet such that pressure at the respective inlets is incident on opposite sides of the flange and a difference in pressure at the respective inlets tends to cause the piston to move within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A combination valve for use in a vehicle brake system, comprising:
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a valve housing having at least a first inlet adapted to be coupled to a pressure source of the brake system and at least one outlet adapted to be coupled to an emergency chamber of a primary brake actuator in the system and an exhaust port that is adapted to couple the emergency chamber to atmosphere;
a pressure control member within the valve housing that is biased into an exhaust position to couple the outlet to the exhaust port;
a piston housed within the valve housing such that the piston is moveable within the housing responsive to pressure at the first inlet to move the pressure control member out of the exhaust position such that pressure from the pressure source can be supplied through the outlet to the emergency chamber of the primary brake actuator; and
including a biasing member that biases the piston into a position where the piston does not contact the control member and pressure at the first inlet operates against the bias of the biasing member to move at least a portion of the piston into a position to move the control member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A vehicle brake system, comprising:
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at least one brake actuator having a service chamber and an emergency chamber, the service chamber being pressurized to apply a braking force, the emergency chamber being pressurized to hold off a braking element that otherwise provides an emergency braking force;
a pressure source that provides fluid pressure to the brake actuator to control the application of a braking force;
a single combination valve coupling the brake actuator emergency chamber to the pressure source, the combination valve having an inlet coupled to the pressure source, an exhaust port coupled to atmosphere, and an outlet coupled to the emergency chamber, the valve including a control member that is biased into a position to couple the outlet to the exhaust port, the control member moving responsive to pressure in the system such that the combination valve is operative as a combination inversion valve and quick release valve; and
wherein the control member comprises a piston that moves responsive to pressure at the inlet from a first position where pressure is exhausted from the emergency chamber to a second position where the emergency chamber is pressurized and wherein the valve includes a second inlet in communication with the service chamber and wherein a failure of pressure at the second inlet during a braking application results in movement of the piston from the second position toward the first position such that pressure is released from the emergency chamber. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A vehicle brake system, comprising:
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at least one brake actuator having a service chamber and an emergency chamber, the service chamber being pressurized to apply a braking force, the emergency chamber being pressurized to hold off a braking element that otherwise provides an emergency braking force;
a pressure source that provides fluid pressure to the brake actuator to control the application of a braking force;
a single combination valve coupling the brake actuator emergency chamber to the pressure source, the combination valve having an inlet coupled to the pressure source, an exhaust port coupled to atmosphere, and an outlet coupled to the emergency chamber, the valve including a control member that is biased into a position to couple the outlet to the exhaust port, the control member moving responsive to pressure in the system such that the combination valve is operative as a combination inversion valve and quick release valve; and
wherein the control member comprises a piston having a flange portion and wherein the valve includes a fluid coupling to the primary service chamber on one side of the flange and a second fluid coupling to a secondary brake service chamber and wherein pressure within the respective service chambers influences the position of the piston within the valve.
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Specification