Patent · US Expired

Towed vehicle brake system

US5779324A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
4References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 28, 1995
Grant dateJul 14, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 28, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60T11/108
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A hydraulic control system configured for use with a towed vehicle hydraulic brake system controls the pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided to the brake as a function of an operator-selected input. A hydraulic pressure control manifold is coupled between a pump and the towed vehicle brake and controls the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the brake with a plurality of pressure relief check valves interconnected in a parallel hydraulic circuit between the pump and the brake. A plurality of on-off valves are connected in a series hydraulic circuit with the check valves. The pressure relief levels of the check valves correspond to a plurality of towed vehicle braking forces. An operator of a towing vehicle chooses a desired one of the plurality of braking forces through a selector switch. When a desired braking force is chosen, appropriate on-off valves in the hydraulic pressure control manifold are closed or opened, thereby enabling or disabling appropriate check valves and controlling the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the brake and the corresponding towed vehicle braking force.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.