Trailer braking through trailer supply line
AssigneeOutrider Technologies, Inc.
InventorsGary Seminara, John Keith Massie, Lawrence S. Klein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods allow for controlling brakes of a trailer coupled to a tractor. The systems and methods utilize an inversion valve input between an emergency brake controller and a trailer connection at the tractor. The inversion valve receives a supply air from an output of the emergency brake controller, and a control air output from a treadle valve of the tractor. Depending on the control air, the emergency brakes at the tractor may be released/activated to simulate service brake control without requiring connecting the tractor to the trailer service brake line.
Claims20
A system for controlling trailer brakes, comprising:
- an emergency brake control that activates and releases an emergency brake of a trailer;
- a treadle valve that receives input from a pedal to output a control air that activates and releases a service brake of a tractor;
- and
- a trailer brake controller having an inversion valve configured to receive supply air from the emergency brake control and the control air from the treadle valve and to output a delivery signal to an emergency brake line of the trailer to control the emergency brake proportionally to the control signal without requiring a connection to a trailer service brake line of the trailer.
A method for controlling a brake of a trailer, comprising:
- receiving a supply air output from an emergency brake control of a tractor;
- receiving a control air output from a treadle valve of the tractor;
- when the control air is below a valve minimum threshold, outputting a delivery air similar to the supply air from the tractor to the trailer to release the brake;
- and
- when the control air is above the valve minimum threshold, outputting the delivery air at a reduced pressure to apply the brake;
- wherein the delivery air is output to an emergency brake line of the trailer to control the emergency brake proportionally to the control air pressure, and wherein the brake is controlled without using a trailer service brake line of the trailer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.