Apparatus and methods for automatic engagement and locking of vehicle air parking brake
US6322161A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2059/746
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is a safety-enhancing automatic air parking brake actuator system that automatically actuators the air brakes in an engaged condition when one or more dangerous conditions exist at various stations around/in the vehicle or equipment. The preferred actuator system operates on the principle that the brake actuator system is electrically connected to the various stations, and, when a circuit including the actuator unit is interrupted, a solenoid valve of the actuator system closes and vents, to cut off the air supply to the air brakes to engage the brakes. The stations may include the vehicle ignition, one or more doors, a wheelchair lift, a dump truck bed, a backhoe arm, or other equipment. By turning off the vehicle ignition switch, which ignition system is preferably the power source for the actuator unit, or by interrupting any of the various circuits to the various stations, the actuator unit will "trip," that is, the solenoid valve will close and vent air, thus, applying the brakes. The actuator system may be installed in an air brake system by placing the brake actuator unit in-line between the air source and the air brakes. The solenoid valve of the brake…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.