Patent GB-1327987-A (GB)
Title: Valve assembly more particularly for a vehicle hydraulic system
IPC: B60T13/16
Filed: 1971-08-19
Abstract: 1327987 Hydraulic braking systems; brake warning devices BENDIX CORP 19 Aug 1971 [31 Aug 1970] 39046/71 Headings F2E and F2F [Also in Division B7] In a vehicle hydraulic system having both power assisted braking and steering two pumps 10, 12 are provided in parallel, and a valve assembly 28 receives the pump outputs and separates them into two streams, the first of which operates the brake booster 40 and power steering gear 46, there being further provided an adaptive braking system having hydraulically operated brake pressure modulators 110-120, operated from the second stream obtained from a pressure control section of the valve assembly operated through a pilot valve 138 by pressurized fluid received from the output 50 of the brake booster. Pump 10 driven by the engine passes fluid to a check valve 36 of valve unit 28 and then through passage 34, chamber 144, orifice 174 provided in a control plunger 130, passage 170 grooves 154, 160 provided in the plunger 30 and valve body 128, port 38 and to the brake booster 40 and power steering gear 46 via lines 42, 44. If the vehicle is started pump 12, driven by a drive shaft or electrically, also passes fluid to valve assembly 28. When the pressure drop across orifice 174 is sufficient plunger 130 moves leftwardly to uncover a groove 162 and fluid passes from chamber 144 into a passage 164 to form the second stream. Fluid in passage 164 is allowed to pass back into a reservoir 14 through orifice 198 in passage 196 chamber 188, passage 216, poppet valve 220, chamber 214 passage 156, port 158 and line 48. When the pressure drop across orifice 196 is sufficient a control plunger 134 moves leftwardly uncovering a further groove 200 allowing the larger part of the second stream to pass via port 156 to reservoir 14. If the steering gear is operated the pressure in line 44 increases causing a corresponding increase in chamber 144 thereby increasing flow through groove 162 but decreasing flow through orifice 174. The pressure difference between chambers 144, 146 is decreased, plunger 130 moves rightwardly to restrict flow through groove 162 but restore flow through orifice 174 while maintaining the new pressure level required by steering gear 46. If the brakes are applied a switch 104 is closed to apply power to an amplifier 100 of the adaptive braking system. The pressure in line 42 is increased by the amount required by the booster and plunger 130 co-operates with groove 162 as described above. Pressure fluid also passes from outlet 50 of brake booster 40 to a chamber 212 of the pilot valve. If the booster pressure is greater than a predetermined value plunger 138 moves leftwardly seating poppet valve 220 and stopping flow through orifice 198. The pressure in chambers 186 and 188 are thus equalized and control plunger 134 moves rightwardly under the action of spring 190 restricting flow through groove 200 and increasing the pressure of the second stream. When the pressure at which modulator 60 is designed to operate is reached a ball valve 206 is lifted and fluid escapes from chamber 188 through groove 200 to reservoir 14. Hence flow is re-established through orifice 198, plunger 134 moves rightwardly and modulator 60 is supplied with fluid pressure from chamber 186 through passages 194, 164, port 56 and line 58. If speed transducers 96 detect a skid, amplifier 100 passes signals to inlet and outlet solenoid valves 110-120 which allow admission or escape of fluid from the operating cylinders of the modulators to control brake wheel cylinder pressures independently of pressures in lines 70, 72 from twin master cylinder 68. If booster 40 or steering gear is operated to block flow of the first stream in conduits 42, 44, when the pressure rises to a maximum safe level, a relief valve ball 180 is lifted permitting flow through passage 176 to the reservoir by way of passage 156. A pressure difference is established across an orifice 168 and hence in chambers 144, 146. Plunger 130 is thereby moved leftwardly allowing more fluid to escape into groove 162 and thence to the reservoir. A failure warning switch 74 is provided in front and rear brake supply lines 70, 72.